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IOM Open Meeting Sat 28 Feb

Published 12:16 on 27 Feb 2026

The Northern District IOM fleet returned to Ripon SC on Saturday 28^th February, when the club hosted its second IOM open, following the success of the event in 2025. The early rain which greeted competitors soon faded away before the start, to stay dry for the rest of the event. A light Northerly breeze came down the channel and despite some oscillations, stayed that way, meaning that the course stayed the same all day.

Following a briefing, the first of a planned 18 races got under way shortly after 10.00 a.m., on a windward-leeward course with a gate at the leeward end. There were some occasional eager starters, but the fleet was generally well behaved and there was no need for a general recall all day.

Despite the wind being down the channel, the slight oscillations created opportunities and shadows at varying times on either side of the course, meaning that those who read the changes correctly gained the most benefit. Nevertheless, it wasn't easy and there were 5 individual winners over the course of the day, with consistency paying off over outright speed.

The light breeze made for ideal sailing under A rigs and by 13.00 hours, 12 races had been run. As the fleet came ashore for lunch, the wind died away completely. The lunch break was extended, then a light breeze filled in and the fleet was sent out again, only for the wind to die away once more. By 14.15, it was clear that the wind had gone for good, so the results of the morning stood.

The final results were:

1^stDarin Ballington (Britpop) Lincoln Radio Sailing Club

2^nd John Tushingham (Mint) Keighley and District MES Ltd

3^rd Roger Crates (Venti) Bridlington MBS

4^th Paul Middleton (V12) Fleetwood MY & PBC

All results can be seen here

Once again, many thanks to the IOM sailors at Ripon for giving up their racing in order to run the event and to club IOM Rep Robert Thorn for pulling everything together. Ripon would be delighted to welcome the IOMs back again in the future.