Sponsored by Cousin Trestec & RWO
This year the ISO National Championships were held as part of BMW Torbay Week. The sailing was run by Paignton Sailing Club. 16 ISOs shared the race area with the Tasers and Buzzes.
There were three races scheduled for Saturday and a reasonable forecast predicting the conditions to deteriorate as the day went on. Luckily the 33mph winds expected late on never arrived.
This year's ISO Eurocup was held at Lake Maggiore, located in North Italy on the Swiss border. The host club was Unione Velica Maccagno, who made all the competitors very welcome.
To join the 11 Italian ISOs were 9 from the UK, 1 from the Netherlands, 1 from Greece and 1 from Germany, which set the scene for an interesting and competitive Eurocup. The majority of competitors arrived in good time to make final tweaks to their boats and test the lake.
Read more: ISO Europeans - Lake Maggiore, Italy (2nd - 5th August)
No Report, but the event did happen.
Thanks to Josh Preater, Bob Ladell & Pete Lindley for organising and running the event. Also thanks to King George SC for hosting the boats.
The weather forecast was for light winds and 50% cloud cover for the weekend of the WPNSA regatta. How wrong they were! Saturday morning came with a building breeze and loads of sun. The boat yard was a hub of activity with loads of wizzy boats rigging. It was the first time I had seen more boats rigging with hydrofoils than without. When it was finally the ISOs turn to launch, the wind was blowing a steady 16knts plus.
Read more: ISO Gala - Weymouth & Portland SA (7th & 8th June)
Seven ISOs trekked across to the North East point of Kent to the open meeting held by Broadstairs Sailing Club over the 10th and 11th May. The competitors got their boats ready for the midday start and launched into a relatively light north easterly wind, the first race started cleanly and Neil Ashby and Nick Lett (1195) were first off the line with Team RWO helmed by Pete Lindley and crewed by Josh Preater (1013) just behind, this remained the order until near the end of the three lap race when 2007 National Champion Lloyd Walker crewed by Katie Keam-George (1185) just overtook RWO to take second place in a drag race to the finish.
Over the weekend of the 27/28th April the Isle of Sheppy Sailing club hosted the second Cousin Trestec sponsored event of the year. The forecast was for fair weather and sunshine at least on Saturday. Unfortunately this was not enough to tempt some of the usual culprits to the Isle of Sheppy! Those who stayed at home missed a thoroughly enjoyable event.
The first race started in a southerly force four and conditions were glorious. Neil Ashby and Nick Lett got off to a good start in 1195 closely followed by Lloyd Walker and Katie Keam-George in 1185 Superspars. Jonny Wells and Bulsy were slow off the line in Neil Pryde 1184 but made a good recovery by the windward mark. Lloyd and Katie were not going well with several problems including a rudder that was not fixed down so decided to retire in order to sort themselves out meanwhile Bob and Luke were going well in Cousin Trestec and finally finished second behind Neil Pryde.
Race two and the wind was now starting to pick up to a more exciting strength. With the wind coming off shore there were some tricky gusts and shifts. Pete Lindley in 1013 RWO sailing with local, Lee Marriott, took a port end flyer and caught the whole fleet out. They were away with a huge lead but fate had another idea when they trawled the kite.
Superspars were having a night mare and retired again; this time heading to the shore for more repairs. 1195 showed their speed in the stronger conditions and took first with Cousin Trestec second again.
Race three saw Superspars arrive back late for the start but they carried on and eventually caught up with some of the others. Neil Pryde was back at the front with RWO giving away a good lead by capsizing. This is quite unusual for Mr. Lindley who is something of a heavy weather maestro usually.
Sunday dawned and light airs looked to be the order of the day.
In the first race Rob and Barry in Concept Sails got off to the best start at the pin but were soon overhauled by Lloyd and Katie who went on to win from Jonny and Bulsy.
Race two of the day saw the same pattern with same two boats one and two.
The last race started in a fair light wind and was going well until the boats turned into the now strengthening tide. Superspars was leading and pulling away until the wind stopped all together and then went round in circles for a bit leaving Superspars last now. Fortunately the race officer abandoned the race and everyone headed for home. Needless to say as we were all being towed in the wind sprang up- as per normal!!
Many thanks to Isle of Sheppy Sailing Club, Cousin Trestec, and RWO.
The fleet moves on to Broadstairs in two weeks time where a good time is guaranteed even if we can't sail!
In like a Lion. ISOs at Datchet
March winds welcomed the ISOs and Laser 4000s to Datchet for the first event of the 2008 season.
First start saw Cousin Trestec smartly off the 18 strong line in a building F4 hotly pursued by the rest of the fleet. Should it be up the bank or out to the middle? Dry & Calm opted for the middle, Cousin Trestec, RWO and newcomers Neil and Nick in 1195 opted to go right. The top mark saw Dry & Calm and Cousin Trestec just in the lead. Little difference going left or right. There was going to be no margin for error.
With the popularity of the ISO Class ever increasing, RWO Marine Equipment Ltd, are happy to continue to sponsor the friendly interactive Pro-Am Series, which now enters its fifth year on the ISO circuit.
RWO's contribution towards the circuit are money off vouchers for their products, as well as some accompanying hardware prizes. The vouchers range from £10 to £25 and can be collated throughout the year by the winners. At the end of the year the total amount held by the competitor are then redeemed through RWO Marine HQ at Benfleet in Essex, as full or part payment for one or more products manufactured by RWO.
Sunday arrival day. Glorious sunshine in the delightful La Rochelle but no wind so weary travellers retired to the bar. Monday morning sign on day, the wind blew and it bucketed down ! So much for that sunshine and a practice sail around the bay. Never mind, Tuesday was race day and of course it would be a good day all round.
Tuesday morning and eager crews all tipped out of the campsite early rearing for the 12.30 start. The wind continued to howl on throughout the day creating metre plus seas with a very short chop. The RO eventually called it off when the forecast abatement clearly wasn't going to materialise. Still, there was always the Crews Meal to look forward to.
Wednesday and finally the weather cleared up; five races to make up for the previous day and we were off !!! First race saw Super Spars grin broadly at the light winds they like so much taking line honours followed by Farter and Chunder and an impressive performance from two of last years back markers, Datchets Eamon and Kate in 641, taking third, Concept Sails 4th and Jim and Ali fifth in 511.
Next race and Ride the Punani woke up to take third, narrowly pushing Cousin Trestec into 4th after swapping places several times around the course. The one two at the front was already developing.
Race three saw a KGSC tussle between Cousin Trestec and Yellow Peril, with Yellow Peril taking an unusual 4th place. The three sea sailing leaders were well out in front having mastered the light conditions.
Race 4 and a change at the front ! Farter and Chunder put Super Spars into 2nd place, with Ride the Punani again fighting it out with Cousin Trestec for 3rd and 4th respectively. Eamon and Kate weren't letting up either, chasing hard for 5th.
Race 5 - last one of the day, again saw a repeat of race 4 at the front with yet another KGSC tussle for 4th and 5th YP again just pushing Cousin Trestec into 5th ! A change of act needed !!
Thursday saw increased wind strength kick in. A good F4 and some waves to play with at last ! Super Spars, Farter and Chunder and Cousin Trestec all shot out in front with the Hyde sails powering up the beat. Neck and neck at the first mark, up went the kites and off shot the lead boats flying Hyde kites, leaving Cousin Trestec flying a Sobstad for dust to settle for 3rd, albeit a long way ahead of the fleet.
Race 7 and Cousin Trestec had a clean get away building a substantial lead up the first beat and holding the lead all the way round the first lap. 2nd beat was equally exciting with Super Spars and Farter and Chunder still chasing hard up to the top mark again. Rounding near enough together the Hyde kites eased their way past. Time to do something different. Super Spars gybed out early, shortly followed by Cousin Trestec. It was going to be a close call on who had guessed it correctly. Cousin Trestec chased Super Spars across the course inching backwards against the Hyde kite. Then Super Spars went for a gybe. And whats this ?? Pole down a wave. Were they going for a roller coaster ride down a wave ? Pole went down some more, boat gathered speed, pole in further then the transom lifted and lifted more turning Super Spars into Super Sub !!
Cousin Trestec cruised on by, almost keeping a straight line, to take on Farter and Chunder at the bottom mark. Both came in almost together. Who would take it ? Both kept the kite flying until it became too much for Farter and Chunder. Could Cousin Trestec take them during the drop ? The hooter went in quick succession and Cousin Trestec took 2nd !! Well done F n C !
Race 8 saw Ride the Punani get the best start and hold it all the way round to build a masterful lead, demonstrating that its the way you sail the Sobstads that counts and Hydes don't have it all their own way.
The Official Dinner was graced by Pete Lindley and Best Man, Mike Speller, putting in a special appearance, rewarded by a Crossing the Line Ceremony. It just had to be done ! This was followed by the odd beer or two ( as if ! ) and for he of the glowing grey hair and sons, amongst many others, a trip to the local gay bar - with much reported hilarity that wont be reported here !
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If it isn't the helm of 1185 regretting suppin' Adnams Broadside at Felixstowe Ferry this year, it's the crew of 1185 regretting visiting a Gay bar the night before!! |
Friday last day and just two more races to settle the championship. It was close, just one point between Super Spars and Farter and Chunder. 3rd and 4th had already been settled between Ride the Punani and Cousin Trestec. The Pitch Pole Princes in Super Spars aced the day to take the Championship in the light airs by a substantial lead. Congratulations - very well sailed guys !
Another great week came to a close with the RWO Pro-Am won by Pros Cousin Trestec and first timer Ams, Calshot Dave and Rachel in 1002.
The back end of the fleet was hotly contested as usual, with an easy win from first timers Gil and Phillipe having only very recently bought 800, losing out to the other Datchet pair, Dave and Andrew Skinner. Great to see hot competition throughout the fleet.
Many thanks to all at SRR in La Rochelle for a well organised event. A venue we can thoroughly recommend to all classes.
Next event is the Cousin Trestec sponsored Nationals at Herne Bay SC on 25th to 27th August.
