Tri-Services IOM National Championship 2007

Gosport MYC – 13TH/14TH October 2007

Report By: Bill Green Race Officer

It has been my privilege and pleasure to act as Race Officer for this event several times and this year was no exception.

The usual line up of regular participants and a few newcomers made up the single fleet entry. This year had a balanced mix from all of the services and there was an impressive display of trophies including a very overweight, pink, flying pig, the RAF trophy, naturally. Nigel Taylor who has fronted this organisation and event from its very beginning had to return home before the event started and one entry didn’t show up. So the stage was set for a weekends worth of tight competition tinged with that ever present interservice rivalry that always provides the spice.

Before anything could happen there was one very vital ingredient missing, no wind. By no wind I mean no wind, absolutely zilch, mirror finish to the water. That didn’t stop those services chaps, time for their AGM whilst waiting for the breeze to kick in. The results of that are covered elsewhere so now for the racing. The breeze was slow to arrive but when it did it was light but perfectly sailable.

John Taylor stamped is authority on the event from the off, winning the first race sailing one of his new own design, followed by Roy Stevens, Peter Nichols and Mike Nichols. That really set the scene for the weekend John won 18 out of the 32 races which is very impressive for a boat fresh out the box, Roy Stevens was always there or there about with his Ikon winning a few but with a fine collection of 2nds and 3rds, a model of consistency. Mike Nichols with his Widget was always in with a chance again a model of consistency. What about the others well that was a fine scrap Roddy Simpson made it into overall fourth spot from Peter Nichols who showed flashes of flair but couldn’t quite keep it together for the whole event. Chas Jordon confounded everyone, including himself, winning heat 25. Brain Leighton and Doug Genders consistently in the middle of the fleet couldn’t make it to the front. Neil Baxter who had been so strong in the past events just could not get it together for this one finishing in the middle order. The newcomers to the event made up the lower order Dave Cox, Tony Cox, Bill Letten and Dave Moy.

As you can see the event was pushed on and 32 races using most of Gosport’s lake was eventually sailed by Sunday afternoon. Not a bad feat considering the decidedly iffy start to proceedings. Once more the event was protest free and sailed in most sportsmanlike manner, which makes it six years on the trot. I think that’s a bit of a record myself and a testament to those participating. It is also one of the reasons that make it a good event to run.

The senior service ran out the winners of the services trophy, with the Army in second spot. John Taylor won the overall event and the Navy Trophy, Roddy Simpson the Army and Brian Leighton gave the pink pig a home for 12 months.

I’m looking forward to running the event again in 2008 and if you have ever been in the services or worked with the MOD in a civilian capacity the event is open to you. Check out the Tri Services web page for further information.