ISO Inland Championships 6th and 7th October 2012
The ISOs gathered at Draycote Water for the Inland Championships, on a lovely sunny day but a light variable wind.
The racing got off to slightly early start which made some of us have to get a move on, (must read the notice of race).
Race 1 got off to a good start with Bob Ladell and Gary Hill 814 showing their expertise at reservoir sailing, arriving first at the windward mark and leading downwind, but then getting in a muddle at the leeward end of course, not realising it was a gate and rounding the wrong way, (must read the sailing instructions). This allowed John Gill and Juliet Daniels 1003 to get through to take the lead; this remained the order to the finish, with Colin Snook and Alison Revitt 558 to take third.
Race 2 saw Bob and Gary make no mistakes, leading from start to finish. John and Juliet having to fight it out with Colin and Alison, with John and Juliet slowly getting ahead to take second.
Race 3 saw a little more wind, this time it was John and Juliet who got away, Colin and Alison had a great last leg to make it an exciting photo finish with Bob and Gary just pipping them to the post arriving at speed on the opposite gybe.
Race 4 again saw Bob and Gary make the best of it, with John and Juliet chasing hard but never getting too close, with Colin and Alison third. Day 1 ended with Bob and Gary and John and Juliet on equal points for first and second place, Colin and Alison third, leaving it all to play for on Sunday.
That evening we held the class AGM, then joined the Buzz fleet for a very enjoyable meal at the Dun Cow.
Sunday started with fog and little wind, as the fog cleared so did the wind, Draycote Water looked like a mill pond. Racing was postponed for a while, but the wind never did come in and the day’s racing cancelled, so congratulations to Bob and Gary, winning the last race and winning the Inlands 2012.
John Gill
