ISO Inland Championship at King George Sailing Club

The ISO Inlands 2015 were held at King George Sailing Club over the weekend of 24th / 25th October in very variable conditions with a gusty F3 on the Saturday and next to no wind on Sunday.

Coffee, bacon butties, briefing, all obligatory race preparation, rigging the boat correctly always being an extra bonus. A good start by all and battle commenced. John and Juliet in Tinky Winky soon made a break leaving Bob and Zoe in 814 to fight it out with Colin and Alison in 845. Race one finished in that order about a minute apart.

Race 2 saw more jostling for places between 845 and 814 swapping several times with 814 taking the shore line to break free to follow 1003, Tinky Winky across the line.

The wind strengthened a little for Race 3 giving closer racing, places changed all through the three laps 1003 taking a 15 second lead over 845 who used the shore line to take 814 by 10 seconds in the 30 minute race. The day ended with a clear lead for 1003 with three bullets and only one point in it between 814 and 845.

Sunday dawned with hardly any wind just about building to barely sailable conditions. The Race Officer ran the start anyway. On this occasion the tables were turned on 1003 with both 814 and 845 breaking clear. 814 dropped the kite in the extremely light conditions to take the lead eventually losing out to the breeze filling in from behind enabling 845 to prevail over 814 by 30 seconds. At the very close leeward mark 1003 just went through ahead of 814 by a whisker, 814 held their nerve and took the long route to the line whilst 1003 called for a tack, just putting themselves behind. Close stuff !

Race 5 and the winds went lighter still, the water being mill pond smooth with fortunately just enough in the top of the sails to move. 1003 opted for a wide shore side sweep whilst 845 tried for the middle ground. 814 saw an opportunity in the middle of the water and drifted towards it, paying off with a strengthened waft in the top of the sails, taking Bob and Zoe out to a respectable lead. Colin and Alison in 845 followed 814 through the line 40 seconds later, closing the points to 10 each, only 1 point behind 1003.

Final race and all to play for. 814 just had to keep ahead of Tinky Winky. But it wasn't to be, Tinky Winky remedied the previous race with a clear win and a repeat for 845 and 814 of the day before.

Congratulations again go to Inland Champions 2015, John and Juliet in Tinky Winky going 3 points clear of 845 and 814 each with 10 points each in 2nd and 3rd.

Many thanks to both the shore crew for the catering and water side Race Officers and rescue teams providing on water cover. A really good event.

Overall Results: