IOM Summer Race 3, 15th June 2021

Firstly, welcome back to IOM racing to Martin Houlton, Robin Clabburn and Peter Drake – good to see you sailing IOMs again.
Another interesting day, we had at times a gentle northerly and at other times a gentle southerly – the problem was the in between times when there was nothing. Notwithstanding this we managed 7 races, though the course got progressively shorter as the morning went on.
The big debate before the start was whether to go with the northerly or the southerly, it was changing every two or three minutes. We plumped for the northerly which proved to be not too bad.
Racing was very tight with the wind often filling in from behind resulting in many lead changes. Robin managed to come well off the start in a number of races only to wait for the fleet to catch him half way round. In race two Phil got clear only to go the wrong side of mark 3, Alan finished with a couple of thirds.
The final result was resolved on the last race with John Be getting a 2nd to just pip John M to win the Setley Trophy. Well sailed John Be.