ISO Inlands - Datchet Water SC (18th & 19th October 2003)

19 ISO's made it to Datchet for the last event of the season. The water level was even lower than last year, exposing a convenient rigging area at the waters edge. The event was shared with the Buzz, Blaze and Boss with 3 back to back races on each day.

Saturday started cold with a light North Easterly wind. The breeze quickly filled in and by the first start provided good trapezing conditions, although it was very gusty and unpredictable due to the impressively high reservoir wall!

First race was won by the newly acquired, luminous yellow boat of Steve Bell and Declan O'Keeffe who seemed pretty happy with their new boat. Ian and Katie Keam-George took second place.

Second race saw 19 boats aiming for the committee boat end of the line, all early! Some colourful language, crunching gelcoat, (thanks Ian KG!) and a welcome general recall meant the black flag was up for the next start. All the usual teams were close at the top mark along with the surprised authors borrowed boat (749 Wet & Windy - Ian Moss and Tim Berriman). Pete Lindley and Rob Burridge (1013 - Team RWO), obviously scared by this boat, luffed up on the downwind leg taking Jony Wells and Bugsy (1076 - NeilPryde) and 749 high letting a few boats through beneath them. By the second lap 1013 had built a good lead with 1076 and 749 chasing. Jony chose to sail above a blaze on the next downwind leg as a huge gust hit, unable to bear away they capsized leaving Ian and Tim to take the gust almost straight down to the bottom mark and second place!

Pete led from the start in the third race with Jony and Bugsy taking second. There was some good close racing for lower position with everyone enjoying the conditions.

Sunday dawned with more wind and bigger gusts which led for some exiting action. Several breakages and numerous capsizes meant only 12 survived the first race with Pete and Rob taking yet another win.

By the time the second race had started there were only 7 boats left. Pete and Rob revelled in the conditions with another win from Jony and Bugsy with the rest of the fleet battling to survive!

The last race was very close between Pete/Rob and Jony/Bugsy with the lead continually changing. The rest of the fleet were left rafted at the downwind mark with an unfortunate Steve and Declan in the yellow boat (1205) retiring with gear failure.

Pete and Rob won the event from Jony and Bugsy. Eurocup Champions, Ian and Katie had to settle for third with Ian and Tim, sailing for the first time together in an ISO taking fourth place - much to their surprise!

 

Full Results Here....