East Kent Radio Sailing Club DF95 Spring Series Event 7 at Barton's Point Coastal Park
by Peter Jackson 18 May 18:40 BST
15 May 2025
DF95 Spring Series Event 7 at Barton's Point © Peter Jackson
16 races were completed, ably run by Raph Wilkinson and Jim La Roche in winds of 12 to 13 knots and up to 15, all using A rigs. Peter Jackson started strongly with 3 wins in the first 4 races, the other win and two thirds going to Robert Owens. Mike Brand started with two 2nd places. Paul Woodward and Rob Maunder getting a 2nd each. Mike & Rob M getting the other 3rds.
But in race 5 Paul Woodward got his settings right to win, then plugging in 8 straight podium finishes, including 3 more wins, to pass Peter and lead an event for the first time. After a number of general recalls Rob Owens with his usual interesting starts took some forays to the back of the fleet, but did grab one more win before lunch. Mike Brand won race 8 after a string of 2nd & 3rd places. Peter had a bad patch after some OCS's but came back with a 2nd to Mike's win in race 8. Rob Maunder stayed consistent with three 2nd places to join five boats within two points at lunchtime.
The afternoon saw some new boats spending time at the front of the fleet. Andrew Nichols led for most of two races before succumbing to the pressure and falling off the podium. Edward Coxon was similarly in the top 3, scoring a 3rd & 4th and only missing a 2nd by hitting the finish mark. The afternoon wins went to Paul, Peter, Paul again, Mike, Rob Owns, then two to Rob Maunder before a final and 4th win by Rob Owens to join Peter and Paul on 4 wins each.
Paul fell off the pace with 5,4,5 before a 2nd in the last race. Mike plugged in three 3rd places interspersed with a 6th, and Peter was 2nd behind both Rob Maunders wins. The final tally was very close, with 3 points separating the first 4 boats. Rob Maunders total was one more than lowest but he slipped to 4th after discards and countback. Mike Brand beat Peter to 2nd place by finishing 1 place ahead in 3rd in the last race, but Paul's 2nd secured him his first event win after little more than a year in DF95's.
Top 6 places:
1. 20 Paul Woodward
2. 875 Mike Brand
3. 211 Peter Jackson
4. 571 Rob Maunder
5. 479 Robert Owns
6. 616 Andrew Nichols