DF95 Winter Series event 9 at East Kent Radio Sailing Club
by Peter Jackson 21 Mar 15:28 GMT
13 March 2025
Twelve skippers found warm light winds, flat water and sunshine for the penultimate East Kent Winter series DF95 event at Sheppey. Ralph Wilkinson ably ran 16 races on courses set and adjusted by Alan Hounsell, who also raced. Most overall series places were still to be decided, including Mike Brand & Peter Jackson, equal 2nd behind comfortable leader Adrian Tomlinson.
Mike Brand was fast out of the blocks, winning race one followed by 2 more wins and 4 podiums in the next 6 races to lead the event from Adrian with the same wins but two 4th places. Rob Maunder was inconsistent with a race 5 win after two 3rd places but otherwise down in the pack. Alan Hounsell popped in early 2nd & 3rd places but then fell away badly. Peter got the worst of starts, tangling with give way boats and hitting buoys to stay in mid fleet, but then recovered with a string of 2nd places plus the odd 3rd.
Each side of lunch Adrian hauled himself to the front with 3 wins and a 3rd, behind Rob Owens (only) 1st and Peter. Rob and Spencer Pope had each also visited the podium with a 3rd each before lunch. Mike then lost his mojo and Peter built to a strong challenge for 2nd. In race 11 Adrian, with a penalty overdue, collided with Peter at the last mark while leading, dropping them six places. Rob Maunder took that win from Peter Glover, finally showing some pace, and Rob Owens, visiting all areas of the fleet as if on a Royal tour.
Peter's luck finally turned for a win in race 13. Mike was 1cm behind to leeward at the line but hit the buoy head on and the hoards flooded past, led by Alan and Adrian. 2nd and 3rd places in the next two races brought Peter back level with Mike for 2nd, but Adrian tied up the event by winning the last 3 races, from Peter J and Rob Maunder with Rob Owens getting his third 3rd place. Peter Glover got another 2nd in the last race and Mike recovered with a 3rd after Rob M hit the start mark and Peter failed to avoid him.
With Dave Adams out of the picture Adrian was the clear winner with 9 wins. Peter scored 2 less than Mike in total but Mike took the 2nd place by 3 points after discards with Rob Maunder another 7 points back. Most places are still up for grabs at the final event at the end of March.
The Royal Temple Yacht Club branch have now switched from Lasers to DF 95's for an open Friday evening series at Ramsgate Royal Harbour starting on the 4th of April.
Overall Results: (top ten)
1. 30 Adrian Tomlinson
2. 875 Mike Brand
3. 211 Peter Jackson
4. 571 Rob Maunder
5. 479 Robert Owns
6. 026 Peter Glover
7. 380 Alan Hounsell
8. 32 Spencer Pope
9. 613 Andrew Nichols
10. 156 Martin Hill