2023 Nelson Radio sailing Club – Top of the South IOM ranking regatta

by

PRO – Brian Bennett – Report

The weekend of October 14th and 15th brought a fleet of 27 boats from as far south as Cromwell, Otago and North from Kerikeri where very competitive, technical , and often sporty sailing was enjoyed by all. 

The Best Island venue has had constant improvements from many NRSC volunteers and is now questionably one of the most picturesque and well maintained RC sailing venues in New Zealand. Many thanks to all the volunteers who generously gave their time and skills, and all the competitors joining us for this year’s TOTS IOM regatta.

Somewhat typical spring weather brought a cool to mild WSW/NW pattern over the weekend providing predominantly B rig and some A rig sailing towards the end of racing Sunday. 

Saturday brought a few challenges with an oscillating and eventually backing breeze that forced the course geometry to the SW course of the Best Island venue. Before lunch fresh conditions tested skippers and equipment on the NW course. The afternoon session brought a 30-50 deg backing in breeze to necessitating short first beats with long runs to a long 2nd beat.

Many an exciting wipe out and photo op moments were to be had with much of the racing very “up close and personal” from the now famous Prydes Knob. See video links below.

At the end of Racing Saturday, Graeme Cross held the lead in his Viper followed by Rob Nelson (Britpop!) in second, and Rick Cassells-Brown (V11) in third.

The fleet adjourned to the Greenacres Country Club for Saturday post racing relaxation, drinks and dinner.

Sunday dawned calm but by 0945 the NW was in and looking fairly stable at 290-320 deg. And 12 – 20 knots. The foul weather gear made an appearance in the middle of the day Sunday but the fleet battled on, with the sun finally showing itself. A further 7 races were sailed before calling it at around 1500 hrs.

Congrats to the top three of:

  1. Rob Nelson 1st (Britpop!) – GHRSC
  2. Rick Cassell-Brown 2nd (V11) – PRSC
  3. Paul Johnson 3rd (V12) – PRSC

1’st Woody Alan Yardley (Kiwifox) – KKRSC

1’st classic Michael Ballard (Arrow) – NRSC

Video available @ https://youtu.be/juqEmbJesEk Day 1  

https://youtu.be/Jigu9r13KEU  Day 2

Full results:

2023-TOS-IOM-Regatta-ResultsDownload