Blithfield Sailing Club held its 3rd ever radio sailing event and 2nd TT event over the 8-9th March 2025. The weather gods were kind and greeted the 37 competitors for DF65 and 36 for the DF95 classes with unseasonable but very welcome sunshine and a good breeze offering up to 18 knots on both days.
To supercharge the weekend from the outset, Darin Ballington showed his Race Officer experience by constructing a course to not only provide a fair start line but also help launch the fleet further offshore to minimise the wind shadow effects from the shoreline. Both days saw a full and uninterrupted schedule take place with only minor delays as the home team sorted out a very single-minded and recalcitrant race mark (our lucky number is not 4). Ultimately put down to a steep gradient on the reservoir bed, it was eventually coaxed into staying put.
For the Saturday DF65 races, the wind came from the notoriously fickle ENE corner of the reservoir which filters its path around the Clubhouse in a way that sees the wind direction on the bank subtly different from that at DF masthead height. As the day progressed, the wind built with a gust of 18 knots at lunchtime which produced some spectacular nose dives. Several skippers chose to change to A Rig for the afternoon session though the majority toughed it out with the A+. A full complement of races was completed by 1530 and with nothing less than a 2nd over 8 races (how I long to be able to discard a 2nd), John Tushingham was 1st with Simon Clark and Ken Binks 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The Sunday DF 95 programme saw a near identical ENE wind direction, proving the wisdom of leaving the buoys out overnight. There was a little more breeze early on but the A rig was the choice of the day and no skippers were seen to change from that. Just as in the full-size racing at this venue, if you think you are handsomely laying the windward mark in this wind direction, do not bear away too early, you will regret it! This was evidenced by the frequent cry of ‘contact’ at the windward mark. The heats continued at their usual fast and furious pace throughout the day with carefully scheduled breaks to allow the full scale Club fleet to launch and recover. The day concluded at 1540 hours after 9 races each. John Tushingham was again masterful (albeit did have to discard a much more reasonable 6th amongst his scores) and came 1st with Peter Baldwin and David Burke, 2nd and 3rd.
With a galley crew keen to show off their newly refurbished workspace, Blithfield’s home team provided a quality option for both breakfast and lunch, designed to be served across a wide period of service to meet the unrelentingly quick pace of these races. To finish the day with a warm sunset and a refreshment of your choice just added to the impact of the location and occasion.
In accepting the winners prize, John thanked the club and race team along with a wish to return again to the venue.
The home team were grateful for the many plaudits from the visitors and their unmistakable sense of wishing to return to Blithfield.'
Report and photographs are by Alastair Reid, Rear Commodore Blithfield Sailing Club
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