Reading Sailing Club Members

This was actually the eleventh race in the Frostbite Series but scheduled as Race 12 on the calendar as Race 9 did not take place, because the lake was frozen.

Now that is cleared up, this was the last race in the Frostbite Series and going into this race Newton was one point clear ahead of Mike Trussler for the series win. In fact, Mike won the race on the water, which was all he could do, but neither Mike nor Newton won the race on corrected time. However, congratulations to Newton as he did win the overall series.

James was SOOD today and he had to cope with a very light wind of only 2-3 mph, but it did increase slightly towards the end of the race. He used a Tektona start and the first mark was X (near the buoy line roughly halfway between 4 and 5), then 4, 2, and back though the start. A prudent short course in case the wind disappeared completely!   

There were 16 starters and Mike T (Laser) and Nev & Mike (Leader) were over eager and across the line at the gun. Mike because he was chasing the series win and Nev & Mike because they were locked in battle with Sally & Mike C for the series Leader honours.  

At the end of the lap Richard S (Laser) was first back through the line closely followed by Steve S (Solo) with a slight gap back to Bill (K1) and a recovering Mike T (Laser) in 4^th place. Newton (Solo) was not far behind them in 5^th place with Adrian (Laser) in 6^th and Chris H (Comet) 7^th. Despite the dodgy start Nev & Mike were through next, just ahead of Sally & Mike C in the second Leader, which set up a good race long battle. Ellen (Laser), not enjoying the light wind, was next through in 10^th place. Then there was a delay of two minutes before Jeremy (Laser) crossed in 11^th place and he was well ahead of Ron (Mirror), who in turn was well ahead of Emily (Topper). Chasing her was Rick (Laser) and Will (Radial) followed by Sam (Laser).

By the end of the second lap Mike T had come to the fore setting Newton the challenge of trying to stay within handicap time of him. Steve was still 2^nd with Richard and Bill slipping back to 3^rd and 4^th places. Nev & Mike had passed Chris to move up to 7^th place. The 9^th to 12^th places remained unchanged, but Will and Emily both gained a place.

On the third lap with the light wind and a bunched fleet there was quite a lot of movement ! Adrian gained three places to move up to 3^rd, Chris gained four places to move up to 4^th place, Nev & Mike gained two places to 5^th and Sally & Mike C moved up one place to 8^th. Ellen decided that she had had enough and retired.

At the end of the fourth lap there was no change in the order of the first five boats, but Richard repassed Newton to move up to 6^th spot. Bill regained two places to move to 8^th and everyone else maintained station or lost places. Sam received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

The fifth lap saw the first three unchanged with Newton moving up to 4^th place and Richard repassing Nev & Mike to move to 5th. Sally & Mike C regained a place to move right behind Nev & Mike in the battle of the Leaders. There were no other changes in position and Will, Rick and Emily received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

Mike crossed the line in 1^st place at the end of the last lap with Steve keeping the 2^nd place he had held right from the first lap. Ominously for Mike, Newton had gained another place to finish 3^rd and Chris and Nev & Mike gained two places to finish in 4^th and 5^th places at the expense of Adrian and Richard.

The final positions on the water were –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Steve S; 3^rd Newton; 4^th Chris H; 5^th Nev & Mike; 6^th Adrian

The final positions on corrected time were always going to be a problem for the leaders on the water and were – 1^st Ron; 2^nd Chris; 3^rd Steve; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Newton; 6^th Nev & Mike

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Angela M, Bea P, Jeremy T, Mark D, Mike T, Nick J and Rhys P.

With a wind from the South about 10- 13 mph, Dave P set the first mark as 1, then 2, 4, 9, 6, 7 and back through the start.

16 starters this morning and Simon (Blaze) was off to his usual fast first lap crossing the line already one minute ahead of Mark B, who was being chased by the Lasers of Ellen, Alistair S, Jon and Richard S. Bill (K1) and Newton (Solo) were next through in 7^th and 8^th places followed by James in another Laser.  About a minute later Dave & Ann (Leader) came along ahead of Adrian (Laser) and Chris H (Comet) and Sally & Mike C, the latter two boats crossing the line together. Dean & Nick (Vago) were chasing them and bringing up the rear was Rick (Laser) and Ron (Mirror).     

By the end of the second lap Simon had doubled his lead and Ellen had passed Mark to move up to 2^nd place and Jon had passed Alistair to move up to 4^th place. James and Adrian had both moved up one by passing Newton and Dave & Ann respectively. Further back Dean & Nick had gained two places and Rick one.

On the third lap the first four retained their positions, but James moved up three places to 5^th and Adrian moved up one place to 9^th. Sally & Mike C and Rick also gained a place.

The fourth lap saw Jon passing Mark to move up to 3^rd behind Simon and Ellen. Bill gained three places to move to 5^th and Richard regained 6^th place by getting past Alistair. Newton repassed Adrian to move back to 9^th place, but there were no other movers in the right direction!

Dave & Ann holding 11^th place, Sally & Mike C, Rick, Dean & Nick, Chris and Ron were all finished atr the end of the lap.

At the end of the last lap Simon finished in 1^st place well ahead of Ellen in 2^nd place. Jon would have been 3^rd but he missed out No 6, the penultimate mark, and handed 3^rd place to Mark. Bill just got his bow in front of Richard S to take 4^th place from him. The only other change in position was Newton passing James to take 7^th place.

Final positions on the water were –

1^st Simon; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Bill; 5^th Richard S; 6^th Alistair S

On corrected time Simon and Ellen keep their 1^st and 2^nd places, but Newton moves up to 3^rd pushing Mark down to 4^th place. Richard S keeps his 5^th spot with guess who popping up to 6^th place? It’s that man in the Mirror again, Ron the one!

Thanks to Dave P and the OOD Team of Dave I, Mark, Nick T and JC (sorry JC could not read your name on the race sheet, but thanks for turning out)

Last Sunday should have been Frostbite 9 race, but the lake was frozen (for the first time this Winter and hopefully the last!). Not that it was a great deal warmer this morning with a cold strong WNW wind about 12 – 14 mph. Ellen set X as the first mark (North of 5 on the buoy line) then 5, 1, 4, 3, 8 and back through the start.

There were 13 starters and first back through the line was Mike T (Laser) followed by the Lasers of Jon, James, Ralph and Adrian all fairly close together. Next through the line were Sally & Mike C in the first of the three Leaders out today, just ahead of Newton (Solo) in 7^th place. Then came the second of the Leaders manned by the jolly bandsmen Nev & Mike N, only just ahead of Mark D (Laser) and the Jones boys in the Vago, who were being chased by Dave & Ann in the third Leader.

Bringing up the rear were the spanners in the works, Chris H (Comet) and Ron (Mirror), just when you think you are far enough ahead – you find out that you were not far enough ahead!

At the end of the second lap there was no change in order for the Laser lads at the front, although they were having a good scrap. Newton had gained a place by passing Sally & Mike C and Mark D had got past Nev & Mike N. If the boys at the front were having fun, so were the three Leaders and the Vago in the double-hander battle.

On the third lap there was still no change at the front with Mike T still leading (but not by much) from Jon with James in 3^rd place. Further back Nev & Mike N had repassed Mark D and were closing on Sally & Mike C, but there were no other changes in position.

Chris and Ron who had been ploughing a lone furrow at the back of the fleet or perhaps making a solitary wake, received the finish gun at the end of this lap.

At the finish Mike T crossed the line about 20 seconds ahead of Jon with James in 3^rd place about two minutes further back. Adrian and Ralph had a close tussle all though the race and Adrian just pipped him across the line for 4^th place. Newton who had a bit of a lonely race, with the Lasers away in front and Mark D and the Double Handers behind (did they make the charts in the 70s?), finished 6^th.

Nev & Mike N could not quite catch Sally & Mike who took the Leader honours. Behind them Dean & Nick had managed to ease away from Dave & Ann, who may have had a moment as their last lap was their slowest of the race.

The order on the water was – 1st Mike T; 2^nd Jon; 3^rd James; 4^th Adrian; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Newton

On corrected time the first two keep their places, but Ron moves up to 3^rd (told you!). Newton moves up to 4^th with James 5^th and Adrian 6^th.

Thanks to Ellen and the OOD Team of Alistair S, Bob W, Chris M, Gary W,  Jeremy and Rick.    

There was a biting cold wind coming from the NW blowing about 18-20 mph with gusts of 40 or more. Dave I set the first mark as 6 then 9, 5, 3, 8 and back through the start. There were five Laser variants with Ralph and Adrian boldly opting for full rigs.

Seven hardy souls set forth and Ralph was first back through the line just ahead of James (using his Radial rig) with Will (Radial) and Adrian not far behind them. Then about two minutes later Chris H (Comet) came through just in front of Rhys (4.7) and Ron (Mirror).

At the end of the second lap Ralph had slightly increased his lead with Will now 2^nd, but only just from James. Behind these Ron had caught and passed Rhys and it is probable that Adrian was still 4^th but was missed crossing the line.

Ralph came to grief on the third lap and retired, by no means the first to capsize and definitely not the last! James was now in the lead one minute ahead of Will, with Chris H moving up to 3^rd. Adrian crossed in 4th place about two minutes ahead of Ron, and Rhys who was further back and had gamely battled on was finished (in more ways than one!)

Just after starting the last lap Chris went over and embedded his mast, he managed to pull it clear, but when righting the boat, it came straight back over him and re-embedded the mast! Meanwhile James had got slightly further ahead of son Will and they crossed the finish line well clear of Adrian in 3^rd place with Ron persevering to cross in 4^th place.

The final positions on the water were-

1^st James; 2^nd Will; 3^rd Adrian; 4^th Ron; 5^th Rhys (one lap down)

On corrected time Ron should take 1^st place with William leapfrogging James (on a full rig handicap) to pip him for 2^nd place with Adrian 4^th and Rhys 5th.

Well done to all of them including the non-finishers Chris and Ralph and especially young Rhys, the lightest helm out today.

Thanks to Dave I and the OOD Team of Chris K, Frantz, Paul H and Richard M, who all had to brave the bitter wind without the benefit of an adrenalin rush!

It was quite a light wind this morning, but a good turnout for the race between Christmas and the New Year with 15 starters.

Mike T (Laser) was first back through the line but only just ahead of a tight pack consisting of James, Steve S, Ken, Ralph, Rick, Ellen, Newton and Alistair S, all within 30 seconds of one another, with Steve in his Aero and Newton in his Solo and the rest in Lasers. The two Leaders of Sally & Mike C and Dave & Ann were next through the line, very close together sandwiching Chris H in his Comet. Nor far behind Chris was Will P  (Radial) about one minute ahead of Ron (Mirror) with Rhys (4.7)bringing up the rear of the fleet.

On the second lap Mike T maintained his lead but it was all change behind him. Steve had moved up to 2^nd and Ralph up to 3^rd with James down to 4^th place. Rick had gained a place to move to 5^th and Newton gained two places up to 6^th. The only other change in the right direction behind these was Sally & Mike C passing Alistair to move to 9^th place.

By the end of the third lap Ralph had gained another place to move up to 2^nd and James regained a place to move to 3^rd. Newton and Ken were up two places to 4^th and 5^th respectively pushing Rick back down to 6^th spot. Further back Chris passed Alistair to move to 10^th and Will moved up to 12^th by passing Dave & Ann. Ron and Rhys received the gun at the end of this lap.

At the end of the last lap the first two retained their positions but Newton had gained another place to take 3^rd place over the line. Steve had a good last lap moving up three places to finish 4^th with James down to 5^th. Ellen also had a good last lap gaining two places to finish 6^th with Ken down to 7^th and Rick down to 8^th place.  Behind these there were no further changes in position.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Ralph; 3^rd Newton; 4^th Steve S; 5^th James; 6^th Ellen

On corrected handicap time Newton gets the victory with Chris moving up from 10^th to 2^nd (you have to get a long way ahead of these Comets and Mirrors!). Mike T who was first over the line was down to 3^rd with Ralph 4^th, James 5^th and Ron who finished a lap earlier in his Mirror up to 6^th.

Thanks to SOOD Dave Isaacs and the OOD Team of Bill I, Peter W and Peter R.

It was very different to last Sunday with a light ENE wind from 0 to 3 mph. James used a Tektona start with a first beat to X, then 4, 9, 1 and back through the start.

There were 10 starters and Newton (Solo) got away well and led by over two minutes by the end of the first lap. Chris H (Comet), Mike T (Laser), Dean & Nick (Vago) and Nev & Mike N (Leader) all came through very close together with Ralph Laser) about a minute behind them.  Another minute elapsed before Alistair S Laser) crossed the line in 7^th place and he was 30 seconds ahead of Sally & Mike C in the second Leader. About three minutes later Ron (Mirror) came through and he was well ahead of Emily in her Mirror (the only young sailor out today).

At the end of the second lap Newton was still leading, but Mike T had got past Chris and had made up some ground, well water actually! Nev & Mike N were now 4^th just in front of Dean & Nick with Ralph steady in 6^th place. Sally & Mike C had eased past Alistair to gain one place and Ron and Emily were bringing up the rear of the fleet. Emily received the finish gun at the end of the lap.

The only change in position on the last lap was Ralph moving up to 5^th by passing Dean & Nick, although at the front Mike had got considerably closer to Newton but could not quite catch him.

The final order was –

1^st Newton; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Nev & Mike N; 5^th Ralph; 6^th Dean & Nick

On corrected time Chris moves up to take 1^st place with Newton down to 2^nd and Nev & Mike up to 3^rd. Mike T goes down to 4^th with Ron up to 5^th and Ralph 6th.

Thanks to James and the OOD Team of Bea and Will P and John H.

With no designated SOOD, Will S, Ian S and Frantz stepped up to the plate and ran the race.

There were 10 starters and six laps to go for the leaders, but obviously they did not know this when they started, or they might have reconsidered their decision to go.

First back through the line was Simon (Blaze) with Mike T (Laser) in 2^nd and Newton (Solo) in 3^rd place. Dean & Nick (Vago) were going well again and came through next with Mike C in 5^th place behind them. Nev (Comet) was 6th followed by Ron and Jules in their Mirrors just ahead of Chris H (Comet) and Alistair S (Laser).

At the end of the second lap there was no change in the order of the first four but Nev gained a place to move up to 5^th and there were no other movers.

The third lap was similar with the same four at the front, but now Chris had moved up to 5^th place and Alistair up to 6^th.

On the fourth lap no change with the first five, but Mike C regained 6^th place by passing Alistair and further back Ron had caught and passed Jules.

The only change in position on the 5^th lap was Jules repassing Ron! Mike C, Alistair, Nev, Jules and Ron all received the gun at the end of this lap.

The first five had to go round again, but yes, you’ve guessed it – no change in position!

he final order on the water was – 1^st Simon; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Newton; 4^th Dean & Nick; 5^th Chris; 6^th Mike C  

On corrected time Simon retains his 1^st place, but Chris moves up to 2^nd. Newton is still 3^rd with Mike T 4^th and Jules and Ron move up to 5^th and 6^th places.

Thanks to Frantz , Ian S and Will S for ensuring the race went ahead

With a light wind from the South Jon set the first beat to X (not exactly sure where that was, but imagine somewhere towards No 9) then 5, 7, 6, and back through the start.

Seven sprightly sailors set out, presumably they had managed to avoid the excesses of Christmas Day to make the start line.

The first lap took over 30 minutes and first back through the line was Mike T (Laser) with Dean & Nick (Vago) nor far behind him. Nearly six minutes later Chris H (Comet) came through followed a minute later by Nev in his Comet. Jules in her Mirror was fifth across the line some four minutes ahead of Ron in his Mirror (obviously Ron had been getting stuck into the Christmas pud which slowed him considerably. Jules said that had not made the slightest difference!)

The second lap was considerable quicker and nearly everyone halved their first lap time. The order across the line was exactly the same, but there appeared to be some doubt about the time recorded for Chris.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Dean & Nick; 3^rd Nev or it might have been Chris; 4th Nev or it might have been Chris; 5^th Jules; 6^th Ron

On corrected time Mike T takes the Cup, but Jules moves up to 2^nd with Dean & Nick in 3^rd place.

Thanks to Jon and the small OOD Team of David C and Brian; the rest of the team remained at home recovering, but well done to the three stalwarts who turned out.    

There was quite a blow this morning about 16 mph from the West but with gusts of well over 20.
Peter S set a first beat to X then 5, 9, 4, 3, 2, 6, 7 and back through the start. Most of the Laser sailors (apart from Adrian) opted for one rig down because of the conditions.

There were 11 starters (there may have been 12 as Dave P signed The Declaration Sheet but was not recorded on the Race Sheet, so he either thought better of it or did not make it round on the first lap!). Mike T (Laser) led back through the start line followed closely by Ellen (Laser), then there was a slight gap back to Steve S (Aero) with James (Laser) close behind him. About a minute later Newton (Solo) crossed the line in 5th place just ahead of Adrian (Laser) then 20 seconds behind them came Will (4.7 rig but Radial handicap). Bill (K1) came through next on his own and well ahead of Rhys (4.7) and Chris H (Comet) with Ron in his Mirror bringing up the rear. Bill retired at the end of this lap.

At the end of the second lap Ellen had taken the lead from Mike, but Steve and James retained 3rd and 4th places. Adrian had passed Newton to move up to 5th. There were no other changes in order apart from the shuffle up due to Bill’s retirement.

On the third lap it was all change at the front with Steve moving up to 1st spot and Mike passing Ellen to move back to 2nd place. No change in 4th and 5th, but Will passed Newton to move up to 6th. Rhys and Chris maintained their positions, but Ron came to grief and retired on this lap.

Lap four saw no change with the first five boats but Newton had regained 6th place from William.
Rhys received the gun at the end of the lap and so did Chris despite a spell of pond dipping somewhere down by 2, but he got going again to receive the gun.

So only seven boats left on the last lap and poor Ellen capsized when a gust hit her gybing round 7 in sight of the finish. Steve crossed the line in first place tow minutes ahead of Mike T in 2nd place and Adrian managed to pip James for 3rd place.

The final order on the water was –
1st Steve S; 2nd Mike T; 3rd Adrian; 4th James; 5th Newton; 6th Will

Corrected time should see no change in these positions, not something that happens very often!

Ellen received a nasty bang on the head and we all hope that she has recovered and is feeling better.

Thanks to Peter S and the OOD team of Alistair S, Frantz, Jerry and Mike C.

It was a fairly light wind this morning about 5-6 mph from the West and David C used a Tektona start with the pin down towards No 2. The first mark was 4 then 3, 2, 5, 8, X (about halfway between 5 and 6) and finally No 1 and back through the start line.

16 starters and Simon B (Blaze) got a flyer and led Newton (Solo) by three minutes at the end of the lap, who in turn was about 30 seconds ahead of Dean & Nick who crossed the line in 3rd place. There was a terrific battle for the 4th to 8th positions with Mike T (Laser) just ahead of Bill (K1), then Ralph and Mark crossed the line together only four seconds in front of James all in Lasers). Mike A (Lightning) crossed in 9th place with Chris H (Comet) and Sally & Mike C (Leader) close behind. The other Leader of Dave & Ann was next through followed by Ellen (Laser) then Alistair and Rick (both Lasers) and finally Ron in his Mirror.

Considering the close racing it was surprising that there was no change in the order of the first four boats on either the second lap or on the third and last lap. On the second lap Mark and Bill could not be separated across the line as they battled for 5th place. James gained one place to move up to 7th spot and Ralph and Chris H crossed the line together battling for 8th place. Sally & Mike C also gained a place to move up to 10th with Ellen gaining two places to move to 11th. Further back Alistair and Rick both gained a place by passing Mike A. Ron received the finish gun at the end of this lap.

By the end of the last lap with no change in the first four, Bill had managed to secure 5th place and James gained another place to finish 6th. Ellen and Alistair both moved up one place at the expense of the two Leaders (not the 1st and 2nd, but Sally & Mike C and Dave & Ann!)

The final order on the water was –
1st Simon; 2nd Newton; 3rd Dean & Nick: 4th Mike T; 5th Bill; 6th James

On corrected time Newton (Solo) should take the victory with Chris H (Comet) moving up to 2nd place with Simon (Blaze) 3rd and Mike T (Laser) 4th. Sally & Mike C should move up to 5th place with Dean & Nick in 6th place.

Thanks to David C and the OOD Team of Donal Mc, Emily S, Helen J, Jon C, Paul H and Sam S.