Trier, Germany, May 2015 - ISO Europeans and German Nationals

Sailing for the fun of it

Video of event here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz5HrHsO9Y

This was the motto Nik used to convince Lars and me to participate in the
Ascension Races run by his sailing club in Trier. He topped this off with
offering one boat out of his personal ISO dinghy fleet for the German ISO
Nationals as a part of the Europeans.

Saturday morning came and we found ourselves standing in front of the ISO “Mausetüte” (“mice bag”). Both of us had never been on an ISO and we only sailed together twice before. So we set ourselves the goals to give back the boat in one piece, not to capsize and – before all – to have fun!

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ISO Nationals @ Calshot

This year's Championship was held as part of Sailfest's GWJ Direct sponsored Calshot event. The Friday was given over to a very successful coaching day laid on by Sailfest and run by Charlie Cumbley from the North Sails' stable and fresh from his Solo National Championship win.

The Saturday was forecast to be 10-12 knots and the ISOs set off to the race area in Calshot reach wearing summer attire and accompanied by a mix of classes ranging from 18' Skiffs to

Bytes, with an array of classes in between including a few new designs including the D-Zero, Supernova, Alto and Icon.

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ISO Inlands @ Northampton SC

Saturday met the fleet with a rainy launch in a light breeze. After a short downwind sail to the start line proceedings were soon underway. A shortish windward course with 5 laps to go, the whole fleet got off to a clean, well behaved start and worked their way up the shifty beat. First mark rounding lead by Jon and Juliet Gill, a trend that was due to stay for most races. In the second and third laps the wind became very shifty specifically nearing the windward mark. Rob Dunkley 550 had great boat speed but a few problems with the kite caused for a disappointing finish after a good race. Also a disappointing finish for newbies to inland sailing Chris and Kyle who had coped with the shifts and then went to the wrong finish mark.

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ISOs at Langstone Harbour Race Weekend. 3rd - 4th May

Three clubs bordering Langstone Harbour, Langstone, Tudor and Locks SCs hosted the 6th annual Race Weekend, preceded by the Friday night Curry Night at Tudor SC.

With a cold light wind weekend forecast the 55 pre-signed on plus some on the day took to the water at about 12.30 in glorious sunshine. It was looking like a slow sail out down the channel to the course located near Lock SC. The 6 ISOs were given their own race results extracted from the fast handicap fleet.

Course A, windward / leeward set in amongst the yachts and the mooring mines providing an interesting obstacle course. A keen start line all rafted up around the pin in the reasonable breeze for Race 1. 814 with novice crew Paul took the safe option and let the raft get away. Colin and Alison in Serenity were more aggressive leading Vantage Sailing and Tinky Winky to win on their home turf. The runners up enjoyed a joust for their places.

Read more: ISOs at Langstone Harbour Race Weekend. 3rd - 4th May