Dragon Force 65 model yacht regatta at Lymington Town Sailing Club
by Beverley Johns 19 Jan 2015 17:05 GMT
17 January 2015
Dragon Force 65 model yachting regatta in Lymington © LPB Aerial Imagery /
www.lpbaerial.com
Lymington Town Sailing Club's latest member driven initiative is the adoption of radio controlled yachting. With the Lymington Sea Water Baths on the doorstep it seemed the ideal location to host the club's racing.
A decision was made to adopt the entry level Dragon Force 65 remote controlled yacht, the strict rules allowing close one design racing. Initial interest was quickly followed by boat purchases and after a very short time fifteen new boats found there way into club members hands. In January the club became affiliated to the Model Yachting Association. Saturday 17th was the January Grand Prix DF65 Championship and a good turn out of thirteen boats competed for the podium. A traditional triangle sausage course was set and even though the wind became patchy eight races were still completed in the three hours allocated.
Amongst LTSC's flag officers competition was fierce with the club Commodore Nick Ingram finally edging out Rear Commodore Sailing Nick Hopwood, taking 5th and 6th respectively. With the anxious skippers pacing up and down the pool to gain any advantage possible the event proved quite a spectacle with club members watching from the balcony and many members of the public stopping to marvel at the close racing from the public path along the sea wall.
Paul Davis overcame a late surge from youth sailor Liam Willis to secure third overall. The top two positions became a day long battle between Jonathan Johns and Keith Willis. Going into the last race they were tied on equal points so it became a winner takes all race. With thirteen boats starting on a line only a few feet long good starting is a premium, as is finding clear air. Although both came away from the line in dirty air by the first mark they had found pace and clean air to accelerate to the front. At the line it was the narrowest of defeats for Keith Willis leaving Jonathan Johns to take the title.
Throughout the event places were won and loss by the narrowest of margins offering great racing for all competitors. Racing will continue every Saturday afternoon with even more competitors expected at the February Grand Prix DF65 Championship.
A few more photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/119924208@N03/sets/72157649940324827