So this morning dawned a little grey but a lot less windy than yesterday. So much lighter in fact that we started the seeding races in A rig.

With the wind forecast to build and click round throughout the day it wasn’t long before the first course change and the first rig change of the day.

This was the order of the day, course changes and rig changes interrupted only by lunch.

Nine complete races ended with Tushy winning with Derek second, John Brierley third, Tim forth and travellers Chris and Chuck rounding out the top six.

Sorry about the upside down results, I’m tired and will sort it out over the next few days.

So we got a couple of races in after lunch, a short postponement due to it being too breezy saw us complete five races with two fleets.

Our two foreign visitors showed well finishing fifth and forth with a couple of good races between them. Tim Ling took third spot, Ken Binks took second with Tushy taking the top step.

Just six points separated second to sixth spot ensuring that the first DF Racing TT of 2020 picked up where the 2019 season left off.

DF95 racing tomorrow possibly in B rigs.

So the chilli at lunchtime was really tasty, almost as tasty as the breeze. It’s not the easiest of days to be sailing a DF65 but boy is it fun. During the lunch break we’ve had a gust of 42knts which is pretty extreme for any radio sailing class let alone one of the smallest. There are lots of smiling skippers and we are just about to start the afternoon session. Results later.

So we’re here and it seems that the wind is here too. We have had a few more entries since the last update and I think we stand at around 34 for both days, maybe a couple more than that on Sunday.

So the forecast looks like a cracker, mid twenties (mph) tomorrow and a little less on Sunday. We’ve also got two skippers heading in from the colonies to get the 2020 DF Racing UK TT series away with a truly international field as well as the usual mix of UK based skippers from all corners of the country.

Big winds will really require some concentration from the DF65 skippers tomorrow to get round the course cleanly, whilst dealing with the classic Southport “glare” should we see some sunshine…..which is entirely possible.

Meantime its beer o’clock and time to head to the bar.

Fancy a trip to the RYA Dinghy Show?

So the TT season opener is less than a couple of weeks away and we are getting on for 30 entries for the event, a little down on last year but there is still plenty of time to get your entry in to the organisers. Check out the event page by clicking here for the up to date entry list.

AGM, get involved, cast your votes and help us to continue to shape the DF UK Association.

RYA Dinghy Show – The Association will be there with a stand in the West corridor on a pretty cool stand. There will be lots to see around the show and our stand will be jam packed with DF Racing yachts, rigs and happy people.

Mike Weston has been asked to run the pool at the show and will be there with his fleet of DF65 yachts getting the general public involved in radio sailing. He could do with a couple of helpers for both days to man the pool. I’m sure you know how to get hold of Mike to offer your services. Obviously this will get you free entry to the show and you might even be able to get a look around the show too.

Catch you pondside soon!

Cosy race officials from 2018 – Photo Anna McKone

So we’ve had the entry open for a couple of days now for the 2020 DF Racing UK TT opener at West Lancs. 16 entries so far as of the 11th January. I know of quite a few names that haven’t appeared yet. Get those entries in it’ll help the organisers get a handle on how many people they need to cook food for!!

Entry list and entry details are available by clicking here.

Alan out in the ice breaking rescue boat @ West Lancs YC

The season opener at West Lancs YC is just a couple of weeks away and the MYA entry has now gone live. The event is always a great giggle, this year will prove to be similar I should imagine.

Check out the event page by clicking here.

In the end, 20 sailors registered for the first day of the Twixmas event at Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club.  After a short briefing by Derek Priestley, racing got under way shortly after 10:00 under the watchful eye of Bob Jolly as RO assisted by scorer Judith Baldwin.

The fleet raced as one on a course with two beats at a slightly different angle to try and make the best of the shifty 5 to 10 knot breeze.  Dave Burke was quick out of the blocks to win Race 1.  Derek took wins in Races 2 and 3, with Dave then picking up Race 4.

This was followed by a short break for mulled wine and hot mince pies and then resumed with Race 5 where it was the turn of Mick Chamberlain to take the win, followed by Jen Hand picking up Races 6 and 7 by a good margin from the rest of the field.  The final race (number 8) before lunch provided yet another winner in the form of John Sharman.

After a quick break for lunch, John again showed the fleet a clean pair of heels to win Race 9.  Race 10 then provided another new winner in the form of Chris Chatfield, followed by the first win for Peter Baldwin in Race 11.  Derek picked up Race 12 from Peter right on the finish line, The final race which may have been unlucky for some was won by Peter as a small compensation for narrowly missing out on Race 12.

When the final scores were added up, only one point separated the top three, with John Sharman (Keighley) taking the win on countback from Dave Burke (Lincoln) and Peter Baldwin (Birkenhead) in third just one point behind them.

Unless you’ve been under a stone for the last month you’ll no doubt be aware that there are a couple of pretty major events happening in 2020.

DF95 Garda action 2019. Photo Sue Brown

First up is the DF95 European Regatta which, once again, is happening at the great Lake Garda venue at Campione. The 2019 event attracted a good few competitors from a number of countries and overall the event went off well.

To encourage more skippers to attend the 2020 event has been pushed back a little and will now take place between 15th & 17th May. This should ensure that the temperature is a little more acceptable for the competitors. This event makes up one round of the 2020 DF Racing UK TT series and the NoR has been published on our Events page.

There is also an event website which will keep you bang up to date with what’s going on. Clicky here to take a look.

Looks like a nice place for a DF65 get together….

Later on in the year, in early September, we are all gearing up for the second DF Racing Global Championship. This time the event is featuring the DF65 and is being held in Sweden, about an hour South of Stockholm.

There is already a lot of interest in the event which takes place from 6th – 11th September. The Swedes are keen to get as many skippers involved however the entry is limited to 70 skippers. Although there are currently 74 registered skippers it is worth getting yourself on the list if you fancy a trip

If this event is half as good as the 2018 Globals in Texas…well,  we are in for a treat!

Check out the event website by clicking here.

It is with a certain amount of sadness that we are writing to inform you that Keith Coxon, founding DF Racing Class Captain, has decided to stand down from this role. He will continue in his role as Chairman until the 2020 AGM.

We would like to offer him our sincere thanks for all the good work he has done during his tenure and we wish him all the best for the future. I’m sure we’ll see you around Keith!

This left hole in the committee, however after much discussion (some of it wine fueled) we have co-opted Jim La Roche as our new Class Captain. Jim will be nominated for election at the upcoming AGM, details of which will be available soon.

We think Jim fits the bill well, he travels well, enjoys the odd glass of red wine and is well up to speed with both the DF65 and DF95 classes having competed in the TT series for some years.

Hopefully you guys will welcome Jim to the role and offer him your support.

Jim enjoying a glass of wine…..