DF95 Summer Series at East Kent Radio Sailing Club - Week 2
by Peter Jackson 21 Jul 2025 10:18 BST
17 July 2025
DF95 Summer Series event 2 at Barton's Point © Alan Houndsell
A light southerly gradient wind joisted with a weak northerly sea breeze causing the wind to box the compass for the second East Kent Summer Series event. 12 members turned out, with Ralph Wilkinson race officering and Rob Owens chasing the wind with the course as well as racing.
Race 1 went ok, won by Dave Adams from Mike Brand, Peter Jackson and Peter Glover. Then it got fetchy, Mike winning from the two Robs, Maunder and Owens. Dave came back in race 3 ahead of Rob Owens and Mike before Mike plugged in 3 wins in a row, all from Dave, with Peter Jackson then Rob Owens 3rd as it all got lighter and sillier. Lunch was taken early, during which the wind shifted 180 degrees.
Rob set up a new course off the SE side of the lake, but at a minute to go the wind did another 180 degree shift and the windward marks became the leeward gate. But with big holes between more like a lake surround by trees then Barton's Point. Peter took on the task of scouting out the holes, then after suggesting using the left two leeward marks, using the right one to abrogate the task of leading.
Dave first took over that role, then Rob Owens who'd clearly dropped the marks in a private breeze, winning twice, from Peter then Dave. Mike then Peter filled the podiums, Peter getting 5 in all but no wins. Spencer Pope also spent time as pathfinder before leaving it to others.
With just races 10 and 11 to go Mike held a single point lead over Dave from Rob then Peter. Mike tipitoed round the holes to sew it all up in race 10 with his 5th win. Rob Maunder finally getting his 2nd podium of the day, from Peter, with Dave back in 6th.
Dave came back with his 4th win in the last race, with Mike in 5th, but all to late. Rob Owens 2nd secured a comfortable 3rd overall from Peter. Alan Hounsell finally got on the podium in the last race, ending up 5th overall ahead of Rob Maunder who missed 2 races so had to count a 10th.
Top 10 Places:
1. 395 Mike Brand
2. 358 Dave Adams
3. 479 Rob Owens
4. 211 Peter Jackson
5. 380 Alan Hounsell
6. 571 Rob Maunder
7. 32 Spencer Pope
8. 007 Edward Coxon
9. 613 Andrew Nichols
10. 026 Peter Glover