Frost Bite 5 20th December

It was a lovely mild morning for late December with a SW 13 mph wind, although this dropped slightly during the race. Jerry C set a long beat down to 3, back to 2 then 4, 9, 5, 8, 7 and back through the start.
There were 17 starters and Ian C (Supernova) led back through the start followed by Paul R (Aero), Jon (Laser) and Newton & Ellen (RS200). Mark B and Steve S both in Lasers came through very close together in 5th and 6th and they were being chased by James and David C also in Lasers. Then there was a slight gap to yet another pair of Lasers helmed by Mike A and Dave L. The next boat through was Curtis who had opted for a Radial rig as he had not sailed for 6 weeks and the forecast had been for much higher winds. Hadey (4.7) was next just ahead of  Adrian (Vago) and Rick (Laser) who crossed the line together. After another gap Chris H (Comet) crossed the line on his own with the Toppers of William and Joe battling away at the rear.
By the end of the second lap Paul had edged in front of Ian to take the lead with Jon still 3rd. Newton & Ellen and Mark B could not be separated as they crossed the line and James P had managed to pass Steve S to move up to 6th place. Dave L moved up to 9th by overtaking Mike A and Adrian and Rick had both moved up past Hadey.
At the end of the third and last lap the leading four boats had maintained their positions but Steve S had repassed James and Mark B to move up to 5th. David C had moved up one place to 7th. Dave L, James and Mike had a close tussle for 8th place, at No 9 Mike was in the lead but James and Dave got past him rounding 5 and Dave finally pipped James on the line to take the place. Curtis crossed the line in a somewhat lonely 11th, but Rick just managed to get past Adrian to take 12th. Hadey was some way behind but she managed to stay ahead of Chris and in the battle of the Toppers, William finished ahead of Joe.
 
The final positions on the water were 1st Paul R; 2nd Ian C; 3rd Jon; 4th Newton & Ellen; 5th Steve S; 6th Mark B.
On Handicap Jon will probably leapfrog Ian to take 2nd.
 
Thanks to Jerry C and Billy C and Roland (who stepped into the breech yet again).
 
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.