Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 1

IOM World Championship 2026 Race 5 Heat A Crash Sequence

by Mark Jardine 22 May 22:26 BST 15-22 May 2026

Heat A had more than its fair share of incidents, including a leeward gate gust that caused havoc for various yachts. It's tricky to explain it in words, so hopefully this sequence of photos I took explains things better.

From what I could see ESP 47's bow scooped GBR 22's stern when the former had gone down the mine, turning the British boat around 180 degrees, which was the way they both passed the leeward gate. Various others clearly fet left out and joined the fray.

2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #2 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #2 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #3 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #3 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #4 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #4 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #5 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #5 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #6 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #6 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #7 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #7 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #8 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #8 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #9 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #9 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #10 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #10 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #11 - photo © Mark Jardine
2026 IOM Worlds at Datchet Water Day 5 - Race 15 Heat A Leeward Gate Crash #11 - photo © Mark Jardine

Related Articles

MYA Scottish District IOM Travellers at Buchanness
Forehill Reservoir has elevated walkways and clear open water The third event of the 2026 MYA Scottish District IOM Travellers Series was hosted by Buchanness MYC near Peterhead. Forehill Reservoir, with its elevated walkways and clear open water, is renowned for delivering quality radio sailing. Posted on 22 Sep Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 12
It was a great morning racing in almost perfect conditions A lively morning greeted the 8 skippers - sunshine and a brisk B-suit breeze from just North of West. In the absence of an OOD, Tim got stuck in to sort a great beat-and-run course on the South bank. Posted on 20 Sep MYA IOM Ranking Weekend at Barton's Point
Punchy starts, aggressive first beat positioning and minimal mistakes The club is situated at Barton's Point on the NW corner of the Isle of Sheppey. The venue has a unique beauty where there are enough hotels and camp sites to house a sizable fleet, as well as a secure compound on site for camping and motor homes. Posted on 15 Sep Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 11
BritPops still in charge, but interesting to see six different designs on show Another fine day at Lincoln. Fourteen skippers in attendance, and at 0930 very little wind was on the cards. But while Darin was out in the dinghy, a little rustle here and a little rustle there, and by briefing time we had a steady breeze from the South. Posted on 7 Sep Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 9
Sun cream and shady hats were the order of the day Thirteen skippers turned up on this bright, hot sunny morning for round 9 of the IOM summer series, despite the forecast of light, variable winds. Posted on 3 Aug Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 8
It was a day where consistent sailing showed The racing started promptly at 10.00 with Chris Elliott (OOD) and Darin Ballington spending over 30 minutes to set a challenging course in a very difficult wind direction that was swinging by 10-15 degrees. The weather was great. Posted on 20 Jul Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 7
A great course set up, and the full length of the South Bank was used A good breeze from just North of west was blowing when we arrived, and questions were asked as to what rig to put on. A rig was the choice, and it was perfect as over the course of the morning the breeze lightened. Posted on 6 Jul Lincoln IOM Summer Series round 6
Great breeze, great turnout, and smiles all round Another fine day at Lincoln, great breeze, great turnout, and smiles all round. A bit of a switch around on the OOD front but with Darin and Tim on site early, things were well advanced by the time the main body of skippers arrived. Posted on 22 Jun MYA Scottish District IOM Travellers Round 2
Twelve IOM skippers gathered at Paisley Model Yacht Club Twelve IOM skippers from across Scotland and one from south of the border assembled at Barshaw Park, Paisley for the second round of the 2026 MYA Scottish District's IOM Travellers series. Posted on 2 Jun Championships shine, AC wakes, SailGP adapts
So much has been going on that it's tricky to even know where to start What a week for sailing! So much has been going on that it's tricky to even know where to start. There have been so many highlights, both in terms of the events I attended in the UK and what has been happening further afield. Posted on 26 May
Copyright 2026 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy