Mini Me

You guys know that your faithful Ed recently got an IOM R/C boat, and I think it is as much fun as almost anything you can do. The racing is great, and must be done to be believed. Here's a report from Jake Leo on the recent IOM Nationals. Enjoy.

The 2004 IOM US Nationals were held June 18-20th US Coast Guard Academy New London, CT. This was the 7th and by far the biggest/best US IOM gig yet. Forty-one boats made the trip from as far away as the UK, California & Canada for the distinction of having a go at the undisputed past world champion Graham Bantock of Essex, England. The venue was much to the racers liking, with all the comforts of a first class facility like only the US Coast Guard Academy could provide. It doesn't come any better than the CGA for an event like this.

Twelve races of three heats each were sailed under HMS 2002 in the trying 2 1/2 days of constantly changing weather. A slower than predicted cold front moved across the area became a course setters nightmare as light and variable winds persisted throughout the latter part of Friday and into early Saturday. Once the front did slide off to the southeast, a glorious northwest settled in for a blustery and entertaining afternoon for spectators and competitors alike.

Sunday brought back the light and variable northerlies again for the morning which set the stage for close racing in the afternoon for those lucky enough to stay in the hunt following the carnage of the previous afternoon. Once lunch was over the usual Thames River sea breeze kicked in providing an exciting event wind up.

The conditions for the last A heat had developed well into the B rig range but all boats showed up for the start with A rigs which in so many cases is a formula for disaster. A lot like setting the big kite in a squall for you big boat dudes....it could be ugly!

Though Graham Bantock was in the catbird seat for most of he weekend, was still possible to screw it up with a 16th. or worse. Behind him was Richard Silverman of Miami, fellow UK sailor Ken Banks and last year's champion Tony Gonsalves who all had managed to stay within hailing distance the whole weekend. Since enough races hadn't been completed, only two drops were allowed it was time to close this deal with something dramatic which is what a champion like Bantock did....with a bullet, game, set, match!

06/28/04