Frost Bite Series 1 – 9th December 2018

First race of the Frostbite Series and it was very windy with a 17-24 mph West wind. It was actually not quite as windy as last year when we had gale force winds and only four boats ventured out!
James set a start line between a power boat and the pin parallel with the jetty then straight across to X by the buoy line, then down to 9, 5, 3, 8, 6, 7 and back through the line. This gave two long reaches and with this wind there was plenty of planing.

There were 16 starters and most of those with an option for smaller sails took it (although in Adrian’s case this meant dropping down to a full Laser rig from his Rooster rig!).
First back through the line was Jon (Laser) followed by Mike Tr (Laser) and these were being chased by Simon atop of his flying bedstead. Newton (Solo) came through in 4th place closely followed by Steve S (Aero) and Ralph (Laser). One minute later Adrian (Laser) arrived in company with Sally & Mike C (Leader) and Dave & Ann (Leader) with William next in a Leader sandwich as he was followed by Nev & Mike in the third Leader. There was a slight gap and along came the Jones boys in the Vago and they were well ahead of Rick (Laser) and Chris H (Comet) with Jeremy three minutes further back with a determined Olivia in her Topper bringing up the rear of the fleet. Karen retired on this lap.

By the end of the second lap Simon had come to the fore, pushing Jon and Mike T back to 2nd and 3rd place. Behind them Newton and Steve S were having a great battle for 4th place as were Ralph and Adrian for 6th. William and Nev & Mike had managed to pass Sally & Mike C to move up to 9th and 10th respectively. Two minutes further back Rick and Chris H were also having a good battle and Jeremy chasing them had gained a place with the retirement of Dave & Ann. Olivia had bravely sailed on to finish the lap and received the gun as she did so.

On the third lap Simon increased his lead to two minutes and Mike T had managed to take 2nd place from Jon and they continued to have a great battle. There was no change in the 4th to 7th positions, but Nev & Mike had gained another two places to move to 8th place with William holding 9th. Sally & Mike C gained a place to move to 10th by passing Dean & Nick. The positions behind them remained the same, but Jeremy was closer to Chris H and Rick.

The fourth lap saw no change in order with the first eight boats, but Sally & Mike C had gained another place by passing William and were getting close to Nev & Mike in the other Leader. The only change behind these was Jeremy catching and passing Chris H. At the end of the lap all the boats from 8th place down received the finish gun.

The fifth and last lap saw Simon cross the line six minutes ahead of Mike T, who was only just ahead of Jon across the line. There was no change in the order of any boats on this lap, so the final positions on the water were –
1st Simon; 2nd Mike T; 3rd Jon; 4th Newton; 5th Steve; 6th Ralph; 7th Adrian

On corrected time the only change will be Newton moving up to 2nd place ahead of Mike T and Jon.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea, Gordon P, John W and Ken, Robbie H and Rhys.