ISO Open - Glossop & District SC (4th & 5th October 2003)

Glossop's ISO open meeting, part of the travellers series was held over the first weekend of October (4th and 5th). Saturday started on typical Derbyshire morning (Cold wet and miserable), with two races back to back and then one to follow after a short gap for food. Racing started at 1pm in a force four north-westerly breeze occasionally blowing up to five. Of which there were a total of four boats retiring through either gear failure or due to the blustery conditions taking their toll on competitors. Race one was a simple triangular course with many wind shifts thrown in to separate the fleet.

Read more: ISO Open - Glossop & District SC (4th & 5th October 2003)

ISO Gala - Weston SC (13th & 14th September 2003)

Picture this: Clear blue skies; a wisp or two of cloud, Americas Cup yachts towering over Southampton Water, copious other yachts a motor boats filling the bay, it was the Boat Show opening weekend - and a red dot in the distance.

The unmistakable shape of an ISO spinnaker creaming along in the force 4. ISO 820 of Philip Bunn and Andy Parkhouse from Gurnard YC made a spectacular arrival at Weston SC!

Read more: ISO Gala - Weston SC (13th & 14th September 2003)

ISO Gala - Downs SC (28th & 29th June 2003)

Deal, Kent. A quiet spot with genteel Georgian seaside terraces, a slightly battered pier and a green complete with bandstand; surely the living embodiment of Captain Mainwaring's hometown Warmington-on- Sea? You half expect messrs Pike, Godfrey and Jones to come marching along the promenade on patrol. Anyroad up, scene's set, on to the sailing:

Our arrival at Downs SC was greeted with clear skies, warm sunshine and a gentle but fairly even breeze coming in from the south.

A quick set-up (I'm sure the spinny sheets are supposed to go round the forestay) and then onto free bacon butties and the briefing.

A squarish/sausage course was opted for in order to well and truly split the Buzz and ISO fleets, the Buzzes doing a square then 2 sausages, the ISOs doing the reverse.

Race 1 Began with the wind and tide running north along the shore, Having watched the Buzzes start first and split evenly between inshore (less tide) and offshore (more tide but more wind) the ISOs opted for the inshore route. Ian and Katie Keam George in 1188 Enigma Vehicle Systems took an early lead with Jonny Wells and Bugsy in 1176, NeilPryde hotly pursued by Richard and Matt Lewis in 553 Team Emsworth. Round the top mark and offshore with the tide and breeze for a wide run down the 'sausage' to the leeward mark for the first of two inner laps.

Lap two saw the rear guard teams of Bob Ladell, Mark Clay in 814 Team KGSC and Sue and Ben in 929 Team Broadstairs swapping places several times.

By lap 3 round the outer course the fleet was split scattered with the coastal experience of Enigma, Emsworth and NeilPryde reaping great benefits with 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Race 2 As the tide began to ebb slightly and the afternoon breeze increased, the inshore/offshore connundrum became less obvious. The fleet split with KGSC, Broadstairs and Emsworth finding great benefits in the offshore side of the beat. Although all three swapped places several times, up ahead Enigma and NeilPryde led the way for this one coming first and second, with Team KGSC coming 3rd after recovering from a 720° (tide? buoys? who moved the water ? don't panic! don't panic! Captain Mainwaring!)

Race 3 Saw a change of plan with a long course laid round the "local" cans - about 7 miles worth . The tide went briefly slack then turned to a fast flow south against the wind. The course was demanding both in terms of duration and navigation; black buoys against a dark background anyone? Places were swapped left right and centre as the breeze shifted and occasionally died across the course. Essex YC won through with teams Enigma and NeilPryde taking 1st and 2nd place while Emsworth contingent Richard and Matt Lewis came in 3rd.

A great days sailing ran smoothly into a balmy evening with the help of beer and barbeque (salmon and pork steaks no less, none of your chippolatas here Mrs Pike). The hard core found further lubrication at the King's Head and the Old Port next door. Reconnaisance has duly been laid for the 2004 Nationals.

Sunday: More sunshine with slightly more breeze rising during the day to an exhilarating 4.

With an onshore wind across the tide our usual windward/leeward was tricky so instead a 'q' shape course was laid. The top mark being at an angle away from the commitee boat and shore

Race 4: Trickier tactics today with the majority of the fleet opting for a long starboard beat followed by a quick shallow port dash to the top mark, the question was a case of how far on the starboard beat can you go? NeilPryde's Jonny and Bugsy held on and whilst not taking the shortest route they got a great deal out of the tide enabling them to take a wider beat to the first mark. Further back 814 KGSC was finding out more about sailing in a swell (who keeps moving the water for these pond sailors??) and battling it out with Emsworth and Broadstairs; Emsworth showing great speed and point in the waves.

The first spinnaker run down to the wing mark and the increased wind strength became very obvious. Exciting stuff in 814 as a we tried to trim for the surges brought on by the waves. By now the two front boats of Keam-George Enigma and Wells/Bugsy NeilPryde were well ahead with more place swapping from Broadstairs 929, KGSC 814 and Emsworth 553 in the rear of the split.

Round the wing mark for a tighter reach to the gate and great gains as 814 began to catch 553. Then, disaster as 814 misjudged the gate and had to unwind round the mark (dashed shame what!). This gave 553 a lead 814 couldn't close and two laps later the line up was Enigma, NeilPryde, Team Emsworth, Team KGSC and Team Broadstairs .

Race 5: Having got the measure of the tide and course in race 4 the fleet attacked this one with more purpose. The start saw more jockeying for clear air and a good point to make the long beat to the layline. Again Wells/Bugsy went for a longer beat but this time failed to make the same gains as Keam-George led around the top mark. The tide had increased by now making the run to the wing mark harder to judge. On this leg of the course 814 Ladell/Clay had its big prang via a close encounter with submerged lobster buoy. (they do not like it up 'em Captain!) This left the rudder intact but distinctly heavy, knocked out of vertical. The fleet had now settled into its stride as race 3's line up was repeated; 1188, 1176, 553, 814, 929.

Race 6: The weekend's efforts began to show as Team Broadstairs sat this one out and a slightly smaller fleet began the final race of the event. More jockeying for clear air and again the long beat to the top mark with Keam-George repeating their tested formula, going for shorter distance. The tide was in full flow now and the breeze had lessened slightly making judgement at the marks even more crucial. The pattern for this final race was set early resulting in a now predictable procession.

Off the water for the prize-giving and some very welcome pies and tea. The sun was shining, the band were playing along the promenade and all was well. A fantastic weekend's sailing. Downs will be a great venue for nationals 2004 so my final message is to get that one in your diaries now!

With many thanks to Downs SC for putting on an excellent event - with photos courtesy of the Race and Rescue crews.

 

Full Results Here....

 

ISO Gala - King George SC (12th & 13th April 2003)

Ten ISOs enjoyed very varied conditions and close racing over the two day event.

Saturday provided a very light, fickle wind, with great variations in both speed and direction. With the left offering big gains, each race started with the pin end very congested.

Ross Ashton & Chris Burch (822) took race 1 from Jonathan Wells & Bugsy (1176), with Ian & Katie Keam-George (1188) 3rd. ISO newcomers and King George based Tony Cooper, partnered by Dave Appleton (905) were 4th.

Read more: ISO Gala - King George SC (12th & 13th April 2003)

ISO Gala - Draycote Water SC (22nd & 23rd March 2003)

Good weather (if a little light) greeted the eight boat ISO fleet at Draycote on the Saturday morning. Three races back-to-back were planned consisting of a simple windward/leeward course. Pete Lindley sailing with crew Mandy Hindle (vast improvement to Jonny) showed usual form by taking the first race, with Ross Ashton and Chris Burch close behind and Iain and Katie Keam-George coming third. 1162 (Sam and James) saw a brief capsize before the first race, and as always the crew got the blame! Race two saw Ian and Katie beat Pete and Mandy in Team RWO, to the line with Ross and Chris finishing third. Race three saw no surprises with the same three teams crossing the line in the same order.

Read more: ISO Gala - Draycote Water SC (22nd & 23rd March 2003)

ISO Eurocup - Fraglia Vela Malcesine YC, Lake Garda, Italy. (4th - 8th August 2003)

"Benvenuto tutto !", "Bienvenue tout le Monde !", "Welcome everyone to the stunningly beautiful Lake Garda !" These were the opening words from ISO chairman Bob Ladell at the ISO, Buzz and BOSS 10th Anniversary Eurocup 2003 during the week of 4th August 2003.

Gianni Testa, also celebrating his 10th anniversary as Fraglia Vela President, welcomed the three Classes, new to Fraglia Vela, in uncharacteristically hot temperatures approaching 40 degrees. Explaining that the lake was low Gianni and his team wished us well for the weeks challenge of 10 races. With thanks to Ian Keam-George and Paola Galli for organising the event with the Fraglia Vela team. We all then tucked into an excellent lunch, whilst the wind filled in along with the anticipation for a great weeks racing.

Day 1

The Ora filled in and Race 1 started with a good force 3 with 38 deg C. JP Dellapierre and Ben Vernieres sailing ISO 800, led at the first top mark, very closely pursued by the remaining 19 ISO's on the run. Team RWO, sailed by Pete Lindley and Adam Savage, took the lead on the run, but this was very short lived as they sailed into a massive wind hole 200 yards later. The remainder of the fleet eagerly took the opportunity to catch the front runners - before also falling into the wind hole and a large ISO raft was formed. The race committee abandoned the race 5 minutes later to cheers from the leaders, who had by now been overtaken by many of the mid fleet!

After what seemed like hours drifting around, the wind filled in for the restarted race, the fleet got off to a nice clean start. The first boat round the top mark was 1192 Team Perry, sailed by Mike and Andrew Perry. Enigma Vehicle Systems, Ian and Katie Keam-George followed very close behind. The remainder of the fleet followed en mass, with all the fleet round in the following 30 seconds! Team Perry disappeared off into the distance and led for the following 3 laps and were never challenged for the remainder of the race. Places changed constantly throughout the race with variable pressure across the course. Enigma Vehicle Systems won the battle and finished 2nd, with Team RWO moving from 7th at the last mark to 3rd on the finish, half a boat length ahead of 815 Mike and Dean Lillywhite.

Race 2 saw JP and Ben Vernieres attempt a gutsy port flyer but were over the line and were forced to re-start. This however must have been part of their plan as they rounded

the top mark in the top 5 after giving everyone a head start! 1176, Neil Pryde, sailed by Jonny Wells and Bugsy, had a go at leading the fleet round the course. They did so successfully for the first lap, only to be finally overhauled by fellow Essex YC club mates Ian & Katie Keam-George in Enigma Vehicle Systems, who held on to win the final race of the day followed by Neil Pryde and Team Rooster.

Pro-Am pairings were drawn up at the end of the first day with the usual matching of leaders to trailers - in deep dialogue on boat settings and racing tips. Chairman Bob, sailing with younger daughter Emma, made it into the Pros for the first time, putting both KGSC boats in the top half of the fleet.

Day 2

Due to the heat, now risen to around 45C (!), Race 3 was postponed for quite a while until the wind filled in enough, which it managed to do by 14:30. 800 did their usual port flyer and successfully pulled it off, with Team RWO to windward and Team Perry to leeward. JP and Vernieres were squeezed out though and Team Perry rounded the top mark in first place. Team RWO were on the case and kept the Perry's in their sights eventually taking them out on the second run and allowing 1013 to take the winning gun after the third lap. Enigma Vehicle Systems fought hard and pulled through into third place.

The fourth race started in light variable winds but was abandoned after a massive wind shift and a large drop in speed. All racing was cancelled for the rest of the day due to the highly unusual lack of Garda wind. Chef's huge tray of pasta beckoned with more beer to wash it down. Overnight positions after 3 races were 1188 (6 points), 1192 (7 points), 1013 (9 points), 815 (12 points).

Day 3

The fleet ventured out, rather optimistically, onto the water for more racing in the afternoon, but after 3 attempts, racing was abandoned for the day due to lack of wind. Heat = 1, racing =nil !! Massive thunder clouds building all around the lake with a few flashes of lightening in the next valley as the afternoon wore on.

In the evening, under even more threatening skies, the Official Dinner was hosted by Fraglia Vela. Yes, you've got it  Chef excelled himself with salad and even more pasta for the masses, 60 sailors plus families bringing the numbers up to around 80. Plus more beer and wine for everyone!

As the festivities got under way the weather broke with some impressive thunder and lightening all around us resulting in a few minutes of large spots of rain. That didn't develop into anything but did cause a power cut. One candle lit dinner later and most sloped off to bed as the Race Officer had declared an early start for Thursday morning to catch up on the 3 lost races. 8am so that meant up at 6; on holiday!!

Day 4

7am brought some much fresher air after the storms. A choppy force 5 - 6. This is why we came to Garda!! Hundreds of sailboarders thought the same and filled all available Malcesine car park spaces as well as the road sides. It was a good decision by the committee, although many of the competitors were suffering from the previous evening festivities

Wind was gusting up to 25 knots when race 4 started with both upwind and downwind legs were proving a challenge and most of the fleet managing to misjudge the leeward mark layline due to the effect of apparent wind sailing. Delapierre & Vernieres established a big lead and were unchallenged throughout. Racing behind was both close and frantic with Enigma Vehicle Systems eventually closing out second place and Neil Pryde coming in third.

This race saw the only major breakage of the week with Team Essex 1178 ripping off their rudder and being towed in. At lunchtime everyone chipped in with spare bolts, instant setting resin and loads of advice ( of course ) and got them back out on the water for the final race. Thats ISO fleet sailing everyone pitches in and helps!

Delapierre & Vernieres set off into a big lead in race 5, after an incident with Team RWO on the first beat, followed by Team Rooster and Enigma Vehicle Systems. The wind, still gusting 25 knots made conditions difficult with many taking an early bath. On the last run Enigma Vehicle Systems capsized during a gybe allowing Team Perry to blast past into third place.

Once ashore Team RWO lodged their very loudly called protest on the water, against Delapierre after a port & starboard incident on the first beat. Delapierre was eventually disqualified elevating Team Rooster to first for that race, Team Perry to second and Enigma Vehicle Systems to third.

After some time ashore to recover, races 6 & 7 were held in a gentle force 2-3 Ora. Team RWO showing some excellent lighter wind speed convincingly took race 6. Racing was close throughout the fleet with Enigma Vehicle Systems taking second from Team Rooster in third.

A quick turn round between races ensured the breeze held with the port end of the line yet again being favoured. Enigma Vehicle Systems rounded the windward mark first and took a commanding lead from Delapierre & Vernieres who could not match their downwind speed in the lighter breeze. Team Rooster sailed a consistent race to finish third, thus consolidating their position in the overall standings.

Day 5

Races 8 & 9 were scheduled for another 08:00 start and big winds of over 30 knots were forecast. This did not materialise with the breeze rarely getting above 20 knots with some large and unpredictable shifts. Neil Pryde led at the top mark followed by Delapierre/ Vernieres, Team Rooster and Enigma Vehicle Systems. Unfortunately both Neil Pryde and Enigma Vehicle Systems sailed to the wrong leeward mark and never challenged for major places again. Team Rooster fought hard to get into the lead, which they held to the end, followed by JP & Vernieres in second with King George boat Steve Bell & Declan O'Keeffe in third.

Race 9 and the wind dropped, but still enough to run the penultimate race, and became even more shifty. Team RWO making use of their lack of weight in the boat, stormed up into second place by the first mark. However, they were pipped to the turning mark by Richard Salter and Tim Berriman in 828, who were on the completely opposite end of the weight range! Team RWO took the lead on the run, which was retained to the end. Team Perry held on to second with Neil Pryde coming home third.

A gentle force 3 - 4 breeze filled in for the final race of the series. With still all to play for in the top 4 places, as well as throughout the rest of the pack, tensions were high. Team Perry led at the top mark followed by Enigma Vehicle Systems, Team RWO and Team Rooster. Enigma Vehicle Systems overhauled Team Perry on the second beat and were never challenged for the lead for the remainder of the race. Team Perry held onto second, thus securing third overall. Team Rooster managed to get past RWO on the run and stayed in third to secure second place overall. RWO were then pushed back into fifth by Northern guys Dave Burke and Steff Lucas in 682 from Glossop & District SC. This was eventually changed after a great tacking dual between the two, with RWO just pipping the Glossop pair over the line by half a boat length.

After a great week of racing when it clearly paid to have a father/son or father/daughter team together and much close competition throughout the fleet the final positions were as follows:-

1st 1188 Enigma Vehicle Systems Ian & Katie-Keam George Essex YC
2nd 815 Team Rooster Mike & Dean Lillywhite Emsworth Slipper SC
3rd 1192 Team Perry Mike & Andrew Perry Shoreham SC
4th 1013 Team RWO Pete Lindley & Adam Savage RYA
5th 800 Team France JP Delapierre & Ben Vernieres SN Le Bono
6th 1176 Neil Pryde Jonathan Wells & Bugsy Essex YC


President Gianni closed the weeks racing with some very welcome words of encouragement to the gentlemen of sailing, as he called us and an invitation to hold our Eurocup at Fraglia Vela in 2004.

And so another excellent, adrenalin filled, week of ISO racing came to an end. With a repeat thanks to everyone involved for an absolutely superb, not to be missed event. You missed it?? Well there's always next year.

Next opportunities to show the Champs how it's done are Weston, Glossop and the Inlands at Datchet !!! See you there...

 

Full Results Here....

 

ISO Nationals - Weymouth & Portland SA (24th - 26th May 2003)

Weymouth & Portland Sailing Acadamy The unstoppable ISO John Caigs dinghy of the decade 1993 - celebrated the 10th Anniversary National Championships and 10 years of asymmetric dinghy sailing, in fine style. The increased Class attendance of 28 ISOs enjoyed the superb conditions of glorious sunshine, good winds and exemplary hospitality at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy over the weekend of 24th to 26th May 2003.

Read more: ISO Nationals - Weymouth & Portland SA (24th - 26th May 2003)

ISO Training Day - King George SC (12th July 2003)

A couple of weeks back, Bob Ladell made an offer on the message board to run a training session at KGSC, so on 12th July we duly turned up at the allotted time and place to find that we were the only boat there!!

The day was hot, with not much prospect of wind, so we spent some time looking over the set up of the boat. I had already carried out most of the mods described in the ISO Tweaks section, but Bob has a keen eye and we spent about 2 hours with knife and cigarette lighter, tape measure and pliers, shockcord and plastic rings.

Read more: ISO Training Day - King George SC (12th July 2003)

ISO Training Weekend - Draycote Water SC (17th & 18th May 2003)

I am writing this report 12 days after the ISO Association training weekend at Draycote Water. I can now report I am no longer walking with a limp, I was able to manage stairs by the following weekend, and now it only hurts from my bruised ribs when I either sneeze or cough. You'll find out how I sustained these injuries further in the report. Would I do it again? You bet.

The boats arrived around 9.30 am Saturday morning, having all broken the one-way traffic system at the club by driving the wrong way round the dinghy park. After some initial confusion on where to rig the boats and some general mucking about - we picked our spot, keen to get masts up as instructed by 10am.

Read more: ISO Training Weekend - Draycote Water SC (17th & 18th May 2003)

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