4th February Frostbite Series Race 9

The conditions were similar to a couple of weeks ago with the wind from NE (from the club going down the lake) about 14 mph with much stronger and sudden gusts and occasional white horses. It did not start out that way and seemed quite reasonable before the start and in the shelter of the boat park; in fact all the Lasers and Steve were tempted out in full rigs.
Peter S used an island start with a first beat to X (up towards the clubhouse), then 5P, 3P, 4S, 2P and back through the start line.

There were just nine starters and Newton (Solo) managed to capsize just after rounding X for the first time and emerged in last place. Then on the run down to 3 the first of many big gusts came though and skittled over James (Laser) and Mark (Laser). At the end of the first lap Steve (Aero 7) came through the line about one minute ahead of Jon (Laser) who was closely followed by Adrian (Laser). Newton had recovered well to cross the line in 4th place and was about 30 seconds ahead of Dave L (Laser) in 5th place. Next were James and Mark in their Lasers recovering well from their early bath!
William (Radial) and Chris H (Comet) brought up the rear.

Remarkably although the leaders completed six laps there were no changes in position until the fourth lap of the race. Not strictly true as Dave stopped after two laps when lying 5th, as he could no longer feel his fingers because of the cold. Everyone behind him gained a place, but there was no actual overtaking until the fourth lap when Mark managed to pass James. Chris H received the gun at the end of this lap.

Jon was keeping in touch with Steve at the front until the 5th lap when he capsized and had difficulty getting it up and lost the best part of a lap which dropped him down to 5th place. Adrian and Newton moved up to 2nd and 3rd respectively and for their pains were sent round for a further lap. Everyone else received the finish gun.

The final positions on the water were –
1st Steve; 2nd Adrian; 3rd Newton; 4th Mark; 5th Jon; 6th James; 7th William: 8th Chris H

On handicap Steve still takes the victory but Newton leapfrogs to 2nd pushing Adrian down to 3rd and the only other change in the order is Chris snatching 7th from William.

Thanks to Peter S and the OOD Team of Simon B, Tony R, James T, Fraser W and Bob W.