ISO Open at Broadstairs Sailing Club

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.

The second race started in the same conditions as the first and 1185 were first off the line this time and kept their lead to take the bullet, second place was taken by 1195 and third by Neil Pryde sailed by Jonny Wells and Tom Hanman (1184).

The last race of the day was held in slightly lighter conditions and the strong tide, which was running with the wind for the first two races, had now turned making the start and downwind a lot harder. 1185 judged the tide well to take their next bullet of the day and Chris Brealy (735) took second. Third place was hotly contested with 1195, 1184 and 1013 very close, it was eventually taken by 1184.

After racing the club put on a fantastic curry after which the drinking games, for which Broadstairs is famed for, took place.

Early Sunday morning and not a breath. “It will be a lovely force 3 later...” said the race officer. Sure enough 3 hours later a lovely force 3 came in, again from the north east and crews were able to stretch their legs slightly better than the previous day.

The fourth race started and 1185 was once again first at the windward mark but were overtaken by 1195 by the leeward mark who held their lead to the finish with 1185 in second and 735 in third.

The next race and Team RWO was first at the windward mark followed by 1185. Throughout the race 1185 & 1195 managed to pull through to take first and second place respectively.

The last race of the event and there was a lot at stake with all places undecided, the fleet set off up the beat going along the shore trying to dodge lobster pots that were spread all over, first at the windward mark was 1185 followed by 1195. On the next beat 1195 managed to overtake 1185 after they ran aground as they were going along the shore. 1195 took first place and event victory with it.

The ISO class would like to thank Broadstairs sailing club and its team of volunteers for a great weekend's sailing and social.

Overall Results: