DF95 Autumn Series event 2 at East Kent Radio Sailing Club

DF95 Autumn Series event 2 at Barton's Point © Peter Jackson

Under grey skies and rain (and at the top of A rig range) normal service was resumed on Kents Isle of Sheppey with Dave Adams' return to form, winning race 1, from Peter Jackson and Adrian Tomlison.

Adrian replied with a win in race 2 from Dave and Mike Brand, and battle continued. Only those four recorded wins over the 19 races, but the shifty NE winds, fading towards the end, helped six different skippers reach the podium. Even Ralph Wilkinson, shortly 89 yrs old, led two races before slipping back.

Mike Brand switched from black to white sails but his poor run of form continued, not scoring a win until race 17, but with nine more podiums. Alan Hounsell hit the podium three times but also struggled to find speed and the right shifts.

Most consistent sailor was Medway boatman Spencer Pope, making the places between fourth and seventh his own. Rob Maunder was often in the fray scoring a third but mostly just outside the chocolates and behind Spencer.

Peter Jackson carelessly hooked start marks three times to keep away from the lead, but still scored two bullets and five second places to keep Adrian and Dave honest. Dave had plugged in two wins from Adrian in races 3 and 4, but then Adrian went on a charge, with six wins from seven races to build a clear lead.

But then it all went wrong as Dave and Peter shared the last seven wins, plus Mike's sole win in race 17. The final two wins pulled Dave through to take the event from Adrain by just 2 points, with Peter Jackson third and Mike Brand fourth from Alan Hounsell.

That leaves the Autumn series wide open ready for a return to Ashford's Conningbrook Lakes venue for event 3 after a few months break for weed. Those who found Sheppey shifty will then be reminded of the effect of tall trees on all sides.

Results:

1. Dave Adams
2. Adrian Tomlinson
3. Peter Jackson
4. Mike Brand
5. Alan Hounsell
6. Spencer Pope
7. Rob Maunder
8. Ralph Wilkinson