ISO Open at Broadstairs Sailing Club

Rain & wind for the ISOs at Broadstairs © Adam Ballard

The ISO second travellers event of the season was held at Broadstairs Sailing Club over the weekend 12th/13th May. The event was also shared with the Laser 4000 for the second time this season.

Unfortunately the poor forecast probably kept a few of the regulars at home and as it turned out on Saturday this was reasonably justified.

But Sunday dawned with a much better prospect. The wind had decreased over night and it had stopped raining for a brief while. The officer of the day decided to get things off to an early start in order to get five races in. Yes five.

After the bar games of the previous night and some serious drinking by some (not to mention any names) it was amazing to see everyone at the briefing by 0930.

Doug Spooner assured us of two things; it was going to rain and it would get windier. Doug was right on both counts.

Race one was sailed in mild conditions with Jonny Wells and Bugsy in Neil Pryde taking an early lead only to be overhauled by Richard and Matt Lewis in “Farter and Chunder” This set something of a precedent for the day. The Lewis’s were showing great boat speed and even lead all the 4000s the way to the finish line.

Race two followed a similar pattern. In fact the Lewis’s won the next four races (beating all the 4000's on the water as well) in a great display considering the antics of the night before.

In the third race there were no changes with Lewis’s first, Neil Pryde second, ”Wet & Windy / Team RWO”, sailed by Ian Moss and Pete Lindley, third and Lloyd Walker and Katie KG fourth.

Races four and five were held in a really good breeze with everyone enjoying the conditions. The only changes to the results from the previous races being an OCS for Neil Pryde in race five after a nearly perfect port end flyer, and Wet and Windy / Team RWO moving up to second in race four.

As usual Broadstairs sailing club put on an excellent event and thanks went to all concerned. In the end those who were put off by the windy forecast missed another memorable Broadstairs event.

The ISOs move on to Felixstowe Ferry for the next open so don’t be put off if the weather looks bad.

Overall Results: