7th February Frostbite 12

A bit frisky this morning with a 16 mph South Westerly and some stronger gusts coming through.
David C set the first beat down to 4P then 2P, 5S, 8S, 9S, 6S, 7S and back through the start.
 
There were 11 starters, Alistair S rigged his Laser with a furled main sail but did not actually start. Not surprising as it is difficult to get the furling tight enough to give a decent sail shape.
All of the other Lasers were flying Radials although many were nominally sailing off the full handicap rating.
 
Ian C (Supernova) was first back through the start line closely followed by Mark (Laser). Hadey (4.7) was going well and came through in 3rd place with Curtis (Radial) 4th and Richard S (Laser) 5th.  Then there was then a gap back to Mike A (Laser) in 6th who was closely followed by Chris H (Comet). Then there was another gap back to Adrian (Vago) and an even greater gap back to Steve P (Radial). Steve S had his mast break and retired as did Hugh (who feared for the welfare of his new boat!)
 
Ian still led at the end of the second lap, but Richard S had moved up to 2nd with Hadey 3rd, Curtis 4th  and Mark who had a bit of an incident near the buoy line down to 5th. Mike A and Chris H were still together in 6th and 7th places. On this lap we lost Adrian and Steve both capsized at different points.
Steve had capsized eight times but kept going until he finally inverted his boat completely at No 7.
 
The third lap leaders were the same three boats with Mark making up ground (or should that be water!) in 4th place. Curtis had disappeared after close contact with the bank lifted his rudder off the pintles.
Mike A, after four capsizes including a double, decided to retire when he saw the leaders starting a fourth lap and thought that was not for him. Chris H received the finish gun at the end of this lap.
 
On the fourth lap Ian capsized at No 5 and then so did Richard. This allowed Mark to come steaming through and he crossed the line in 1st place with Richard recovering to 2nd and Ian crossed in 3rd with Hadey, a very creditable 4th.
 
So the final positions on the water were –
1st Mark; 2nd Richard; 3rd Ian; 4th Hadey; 5th Chris (one lap down)
 
On handicap it looks as if Hadey was close enough to take the overall victory, so well done Hadey.
 
Thanks to David C and the OOD Team, Jon, Mark, Sam and David and to Roland L and Hugh who went out in another rescue boat.
 
 

Frostbite 11 January 31st

It was a terrible start to the morning with hardly any wind and a heavy persistent drizzle, but fortunately by the time of the start the wind had picked up to about 10 mph SSW and continued to increase during the race. Mike A set the first beat down to 2 then 4S, 9P, 5S, 8P, 6S and back through the start ( avoiding the use of No 7 as requested by Hadey !) There were 15 starters, which was very good considering the conditions.
 
Newton & Ellen (RS200) were leading at the end of the first lap and continued to do so for all four laps of the race, although they could never relax as Ian C (Supernova) and Richard S (Laser) pressed them hard all the way. After these leading three had passed through there was a slight gap to another closely contested pack consisting of the Lasers of James, Rod, Ken and Rick and the Byte of Roland S. Next through were Hugh (Radial) and Alistair S (Laser) with another gap back to Chris H (Comet), Curtis (Radial), Hadey (4.7) and Adrian (Vago) with William gamely chasing these in his Topper.
 
By the end of the second lap Ian had just pinched 2nd place from Richard and the next four places remained the same, but Hugh was going well and had managed to get past Roland. Further back Hadey and Adrian had moved up one place by passing Curtis who seemed to be struggling today.
 
After three laps the leading seven positions had not changed but there was really close racing between the first three and then between the next group from 4th place to 10th place. Rick continued to go well in 7th place and Roland had retaken Hugh with Alistair S in very close attendance. Adrian had moved up two places by passing Chris and Hadey. William received the finish gun at the end of this lap. 
 
At the end of the fourth and last lap there was a photo finish with Newton & Ellen just winning by a nose (or a prow) from Ian with Richard 3rd. James was still 4th but Ken had managed to get past Rod to take 5th place. Unfortunately Rick who had held a steady 7th for most of the race capsized on the last lap and dropped to 10th, which let Hugh through into 7th, Roland to 8th and Alistair S to 9th. The increasing wind seemed to refresh Curtis and he passed Hadey and Chris but could not catch Adrian.     
 
The final positions on the water were –
1st Newton & Ellen; 2nd Ian; 3rd Richard; 4th James; 5th Ken; 6th Rod.
 
On handicap Richard will pip Ian for 2nd spot with Roland moving up to 3rd  and Chris up to 5th. 

Thanks to Mike A, Neville, Sylvia and Peter S and to Roland L and Dave I who also helped with the OOD duties.
 

Frostbite 10 January 24th

It was a mild morning with a 10-12 mph SW wind and a good turn-out with 20 boats starting. Mike A set the first beat down to 4 then back to 9P, 5S, 8P, 6S, 7S and back through the start.
 
At the end of the first lap the first four boats were very close together, but Ian C (Supernova) just crossed the line ahead of Jon (Laser), Newton &Ellen (RS200) and Richard (Laser). Dave L (Laser) was slightly further back in 5th place and Mark B (Laser), trying to make up ground after a poor start, came through in 6th with James in another Laser 7th and David C (Laser) 8th. Roland S (Byte) was going well in 9th and having a good tussle with Curtis (Radial) and they were being chased by Hugh (Radial) and Neville & Sally (Leader). Rod (Laser) came through on his own in 13th place but behind him there was a good battle for 14th place between Hadey (4.7), Alistair S (Laser) and Adrian (Vago).
Chris H (Comet) in 17th place was just clear of Rick (Laser) and further back William (Topper) had pulled slightly away from Mick G & Dave I in the Otter.
 
The second lap saw Newton & Ellen in the lead with Ian 2nd and Jon 3rd. The movers on this lap were David C gaining two places to 6th, Rod up two place to 11th and Rick up one place past Chris.
 
At the end of the third lap Ian was back in front pushing Newton & Ellen down to 2nd with Jon still 3rd. David had moved up another two places to 4th, but the Lasers of Richard, Dave L, Mark and James were not far behind and having a good race. Behind these Roland and Curtis were still together but being gradually caught by Rod. Hugh and Neville & Sally were still in close company and they were just ahead of a great battle taking place between Hadey, Alistair and Adrian. Further back Rick had manage to draw away from Chris and William and Mick G & Dave I received the finish gun at the end of this lap.
 
The fourth lap saw another change of leader with Newton & Ellen back in front and with a slight gap back to Ian in 2nd and then a bigger gap back to Jon who was still 3rd ahead of son David (let’s hear it for the Dads !). The other changes in position (at least in the right direction) were Rod up another two places to 9th, Alistair up one place by passing Hadey and Adrian up two places by passing Hadey and Alistair.
 
Newton & Ellen maintained their lead and crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of Ian who in turn was well clear of Jon in 3rd. The only other changes in position on this final lap were  Adrian up another place by passing Nev & Sally and Hadey by repassing Alistair.
 
A good morning’s racing with a nice fresh breeze and good close racing all through the fleet.
 
The final positions on the water were –
1st Newton & Ellen; 2nd Ian; 3rd Jon; 4th David; 5th Richard; 6th Dave L.
 
On handicap Roland in his Byte should crash the leader board taking 3rd place from Jon.
 
We were a bit light on OODs with only Mike A and Gary B turning out  from those on the duty roster so thanks to them, but especial thanks to Roland L who once again stepped in to help out.
 
 
 

Frostbite 9 January 17th

This morning was grey and cold with sleet in the air and a light 6 mph wind from the East and as a consequence there were only 8 starters.
Newton used a Tektona start with a first beat to X (middle of the lake up from No 8), then 5P, 9S, 4S and back through the start line.
 
Roland & Ryan (good to see them out again) in their National 12 came through the line in 1st place closely followed by Mark B (Laser) and then Mike A (Laser). There was a gap back to Curtis (Radial) who in turn was some way ahead of Chris (Comet) and Hadey (4.7), who were having their usual close battle. Adrian (Vago-single handed) was in 7th place just ahead of Hugh (Radial).
 
On the second lap Mark managed to get past Roland & Ryan, however on the run to the last mark Mike nosed ahead of both of them but had to give water to Mark who just managed to establish an inside overlap. Hadey was the only other mover as she crossed the line clear of Chris.   
 
The final positions on the water were –
1st Mark; 2nd Mike A; 3rd Roland & Ryan; 4th Curtis; 5th Hadey; 6th Chris H.
On handicap Hadey should leapfrog Curtis to take 4th spot.
 
Thanks to Newton, Ellen, James T and Roland L for doing duty on a grey, cold day.
 

Flooding Update and Procedure

The water has been over the access road this week but not enough to prevent access. It has now receded a bit and is falling. With no recent rain and none forecast before Sunday it looks likely that we will be able to access the club and race this Sunday. 
With future flooding possible please note that the procedure regarding cancelling the race is as follows :
In order for racing to take place it must be possible for the emergency services to access the club via the road. As soon as it is clear that the water level is such that it could not possibly drop in time for racing on the Sunday then a notice will be put on the Jolly Sailor cancelling the race. OODs need then not turn up. This will be done by the Sailing Secretary or someone deputising, Once it has been cancelled it will not be reinstated. (There has been upset in the past when races have been cancelled and then reinstated without some being informed). If the level is marginal then the notice may not be posted until Saturday evening, It may also be the case that if marginal or the level rises overnight that it might get cancelled by the SOOD when they turn up on Sunday morning.

Newton

Frost Bite 8 – 10th January

It was a beautiful morning for the time of the year, sunny with a light 10 mph wind from SSW. Here comes Spring ? Curtis set the first beat down to 9S, then up to 4P, 1S, 2S, 5S, 8P, 6S and back through the start. There were 16 starters on a grand day for sailing.
 
Mark B was first back through the start line followed by David C, Jon, Steve S and Ross (good to see Ross back in the fleet) who were all in Lasers. Newton & Ellen (RS200) came through in 6th just ahead of Mike A (Laser) and Ian C (Supernova). Neville & Sally (Leader) came through in 9th place with Chris H (Comet), Adrian (Vago), James (Laser) and Dean & Nick (Vago) in close pursuit. Then there was slight gap back to Rick (Laser) and Hadey (4.7) with William gamely bringing up the rear in his Topper.
The first two held their leading positions through all four laps to the end of the race. Behind them a good battle developed between Steve and Jon with Steve taking the 3rd spot at the end. There was another close tussle for 5th place with Ian, Ross and Newton & Ellen changing places at nearly every mark. In the middle of the fleet Mike A was a steady 8th, but chased all through the race by James and Neville & Sally.  Dean & Nick won the battle of the mini- Vago fleet  from Adrian, but Chris H was mixing it with them. Towards the back of the fleet Hadey had managed to draw out a slight lead on Rick. William kept going and received the gun at the end of the third lap. (William – time to talk to Dad about trading up to a Laser !)
After finishing Mike A managed to capsize on his way back to the jetty !
 
The final positions on the water were 1st Mark; 2nd David C; 3rd Steve S; 4th Jon; 5th Ian; 6th Ross.
 
On handicap the first four places should remain the same, but Chris H should move up to 5th.
 
Thanks to Curtis and the OOD team of Paul H, Roland L (again) and Nick T
 
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