DragonForce 65 and DragonFlite 95 TT at Blithfield Sailing Club
by Alastair Reid 14 Mar 11:07 PDT
8-9 March 2025

DragonForce 65 and DragonFlite 95 TT at Blithfield © Alastair Reid
Blithfield Sailing Club held its third ever radio sailing event, and second 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 second over eight races (how I long to be able to discard a second), John Tushingham was first with Simon Clark and Ken Binks second and third 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 nine races each. John Tushingham was again masterful (albeit he did have to discard a much more reasonable sixth amongst his scores) and came first with Peter Baldwin and David Burke second and third.
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.
DF65 Results:
Position | Sail No | Skipper | Club/City | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
1 | 51 | John Tushingham | Keighley & Dist MES Ltd | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
2 | 64 | Simon Clark | West Cornwall RSC | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
3 | 83 | Ken Binks | Eastbourne & District | 4 | 40 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 9 | 26 |
4 | 120 | David Potter | Birkenhead | 1 | 20 | 1 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 27 |
5 | 12 | Buzz Coleman | Coalhouse ort MYC | 6 | 5 | 19 | 6 | 30 | 6 | 80 | 1 | 27 |
6 | 63 | Peter Baldwin | Birkenhead RS&PC | 5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 320 |
7 | 30 | David Burke | Fleetwood MY & PBC | 7 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 37 |
8 | 45 | Jerry Ibberson | ROF WAC | 5 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 45 |
9 | 42 | Wayne Stobbs | Gosport MYBC | 4 | 16 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 520 |
10 | 154 | Paul Plested | Birkenhead RS & PBC | 2 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 21 | 55 |
11 | 57 | Jim La Roche | Datchet | 11 | 6 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 50 | 16 | 57 |
12 | 97 | Paul Robson | Poole RYC | 11 | 25 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 620 |
13 | 14 | Bob Conner | Woodspring MYC | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 66 |
14 | 66 | Martyn Aspinall | Rotherham MYC | 20 | 24 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 67 |
15 | 53 | Clive Warren | Birkenhead RS&PC | 9 | 23 | 28 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 11 | 14 | 67 |
16 | 7 | Olly Murray | Fleetwood MY&PBC | 20 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 23 | 38 | 69 |
17 | 100 | Liz Tushingham | Keighley & Dist MES Ltd | 13 | 20 | 23 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 69 |
18 | 302 | Chris More | Askern RSC | 3 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 31 | 23 | 10 | 73 |
19 | 558 | Jonathon Kneale | West Cornwall RSC | 6 | 11 | 15 | 23 | 24 | 16 | 120 | 18 | 78 |
20 | 165 | David Nickerson | Birmingham | 13 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 11 | 17 | 23 | 88 |
21 | 6 | Paul Middleton | Fleetwood MY&PBC | 3 | 18 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 108 |
22 | 34 | Alan Barnstable | Woodspring MYC | 12 | 26 | 7 | 19 | 320 | 19 | 27 | 28 | 110 |
23 | 588 | Tim Leary | Pembrokeshire MYC | 15 | 30 | 29 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 24 | 11 | 113 |
24 | 19 | Barry Rolfe | Birmingham MYC | 10 | 27 | 20 | 36 | 22 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 122 |
25 | 663 | Neil Thomas | Pembrokeshire MYC | 8 | 13 | 22 | 38 | 29 | 34 | 32 | 22 | 126 |
26 | 920 | Bill Hancock | Rudyard Lake MYC | 7 | 21 | 31 | 30 | 38 | 17 | 26 | 30 | 131 |
27 | 161 | Simon Cornes | Rudyard Lake MYC | 12 | 29 | 21 | 26 | 21 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 134 |
28 | 303 | Lisa More | Askern RSC | 8 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 36 | 38 | 31 | 26 | 137 |
29 | 173 | Jay Williamson | Pembrokeshire MYC | 9 | 28 | 34 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 137 |
30 | 69 | Jen Hand | Lincoln RSC | 20 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 33 | 34 | 141 |
31 | 572 | Rob Mathewson | West Cornwall RSC | 14 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 26 | 21 | 27 | 141 |
32 | 39 | John Lees | Blithfield MYC | 20 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 15 | 20 | 32 | 146 |
33 | 712 | Garry Box | Manor Park RSC | 15 | 35 | 25 | 28 | 34 | 28 | 34 | 31 | 161 |
34 | 140 | Ian Gethin | Blithfield MYC | 20 | 32 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 175 |
35 | 40 | Justine Davenport | Abersoch RYC | 16 | 36 | 37 | 33 | 26 | 33 | 38 | 35 | 179 |
36 | 0 | Alan Smith | Fleetwood MY & PBC | 17 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 33 | 38 | 38 | 25 | 183 |
37 | 130 | David Baker | Birmingham MYC | 14 | 34 | | 34 | 35 | 35 | 38 | 38 | 184 |
DF95 Results:
Position | SallNo | Skipper | Club/City | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
1 | 51 | John Tushingham | Keighley & Dist MES Ltd | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
2 | 172 | Peter Baldwin | Birkenhead RS & PC | 1 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 23 |
3 | 330 | David Burke | Fleetwood MY & PBC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 25 |
4 | 20 | David Potter | Birkenhead | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 31 |
5 | 12 | Buzz Coleman | Coalhouse Fort MYC | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 33 |
6 | 83 | Ken Binks | Eastbourne & District | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 34 |
7 | 6 | Paul Middleton | Fleetwood MY&PBC | 5 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 52 |
8 | 188 | Rod Radbourne | Manor Park RSC | 7 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 53 |
9 | 877 | Martyn Aspinal | Rotherham MYC | 4 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 62 |
10 | 97 | Paul Robson | Poole RYC | 6 | 23 | 22 | 26 | 19 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 74 |
11 | 42 | Wayne Stobbs | Gosport MYBC | 10 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 21 | 22 | 74 |
12 | 34 | Alan Barnstable | Woodspring MYC | 5 | 15 | 18 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 22 | 78 |
13 | 36 | Bob Lafbery | Keighley & District | 15 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 83 |
14 | 102 | Chris More | Askern RSC | 11 | 14 | 6 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 37 | 5 | 8 | 83 |
15 | 9 | Steve Venables | Manor Park Radio SC | 2 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 84 |
16 | 45 | Jerry Ibberson | ROFWAC | 7 | 4 | 13 | 18 | 35 | 27 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 86 |
17 | 154 | Paul Plested | Birkenhead RS & PC | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 28 | 18 | 27 | 92 |
18 | 62 | Simon Clark | West Cornwall RSC | 10 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 3 | 16 | 37 | 97 |
19 | 93 | Clive Warren | Birkenhead RS & PC | 8 | 18 | 29 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 34 | 26 | 3 | 101 |
20 | 169 | Bill Hancock | Rudyard Lake MYC | 6 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 35 | 101 |
21 | 661 | Jonathon Kneale | West Cornwall RSC | 13 | 34 | 28 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 20 | 14 | 106 |
22 | 14 | Bob Conner | Woodspring MYC | 15 | 11 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 29 | 22 | 7 | 18 | 112 |
23 | 712 | Garry Box | Manor Park Radio SC | 13 | 33 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 124 |
24 | 118 | Steve Thomas | Rudyard | 12 | 25 | 25 | 36 | 27 | 12 | 22 | 11 | 19 | 126 |
25 | 173 | Jay Williamson | Pembrokeshire MYC | 14 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 29 | 16 | 130 |
26 | 57 | Jim La Roche | Datchet | 9 | 17 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 30 | 26 | 137 |
27 | 365 | David Nickerson | Birmingham MYC | 9 | 19 | 30 | 23 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 30 | 157 |
28 | 69 | Jen Hand | Lincoln Radio SC | 14 | 30 | 23 | 25 | 31 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 17 | 158 |
29 | 100 | Liz Tushingham | Keighley & Dist MES Ltd | 12 | 26 | 33 | 28 | 32 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 169 |
30 | 563 | Neil Thomas | Pembrokeshire MYC | 16 | 29 | 20 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 37 | 25 | 173 |
31 | 103 | Lisa More | Askern RSC | 18 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 173 |
32 | 519 | Barry Rolfe | Birmingham MYC | 11 | 31 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 27 | 33 | 29 | 179 |
33 | 503 | Simon Cornes | Rudyard Lake MYC | 16 | 23 | 31 | 32 | 24 | 33 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 190 |
34 | 688 | Tim Leary | Pembrokeshire MYC | 17 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 37 | 32 | 24 | 34 | 209 |
35 | 645 | Justine Davenport | Abersoch RYC | 18 | 32 | 36 | 33 | 36 | 37 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 212 |
36 | 13 | Alan Smith | Fleetwood MY & PBC | 17 | 35 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 219 |