ISO Multi Gala at Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club
by Bob Ladell 23 Jun 2004 11:22 BST
19-20 June 2004
The pioneering ISO fleet has done it again! Our hosts were the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club hosting their first event for several years. Their huge expanse of water gave us just the room we needed to get the best from the asymmetric kite.
12 ISOs, 5 Buzz and 2 Spice lined up for the start. Chairman Bob and crew Luke in 814 took a commanding lead of Race 1 in the first lap to show the usual fleet leaders what an ISO transom looks like as a dot on the horizon. This lead was held until the last mark when the experience of Team RWO squeezed past taking a narrow victory, leaving 814 to just clinch 2nd from Neil Pryde by a nose!
Race 2 and Team RWO did it again, followed by 1197 Team Veitch and Neil Pryde taking another 3rd. Race 3 and the dropping wind with strengthening tide at the windward mark took it’s toll, Team RWO leading the penalty turns, leaving 1176 Neil Pryde to take line honours just ahead of 1188 Smart Nav.
Sunday gave us a force 4 rising 5 to play with, giving Smart Nav just the conditions they like to ace the day and recover the event from the upstarts in 814 snapping at all the leaders heals. Race Officer Ken Brown gave the fleet a challenge in the last race with a huge course which was complemented by a squall coming through with 28 mph winds – causing some painful grins for all competitors!
A very satisfying weekend. Our previous two weekends practice showing the Laser 4000s the way home had paid off.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 1188 | SmartNav | Ian Keam-George | Kate Keam-George | Essex YC | 10 |
| 2nd | 1013 | Team 'RWO" | Peter Lindley | Annie Smith | RYA | 10 |
| 3rd | 1176 | Team 'Neil Pryde' | Jonny Wells | Bugsy | Essex YC | 11 |
| 4th | 814 | | Bob Ladell | Luke Draper | Datchet Water SC | 22 |
| 5th | 1197 | | Nick Veitch | Dave Veitch | Essex YC | 23 |