Frostbite Series 2024 Race 1 Saturday 19th October
Published 23:15 on 29 Oct 2024
The calm before the storm, or more accurately, a very pleasant October afternoon with a perfect westerly breeze, before Storm Ashley hits the UK. And with one of the biggest tides of the year, coinciding with the 'Hunter's' full moon we had more water to play with than is often the case.
Scows floating about on the apron, a small contretemps with the submerged mill wall, one scow sailor told me it was quite disorientating to have everything submerged. Hence, we set a long course. Tide Gauge for everyone. Scows and Slow Handicap as well as the Fast Handicap, then round a laid leeward mark in the vicinity of 'G', back to Channel Buoy No.9. Three times round for the Fast, twice round for the Slow and Scows.
The four boats in the Fast Handicap fleet got off to good start, making short work of the leg down the harbour with a following wind.
Feedback tells that long downwind legs were appreciated by this fleet and the beat back to No.9 was not too arduous. Clearly, a summer of race practice in Cowes has benefitted Roger and Gill Herbert who had a convincing win on handicap over the rest of the fleet, although Tony Burton and Jack sailed this mega course in just one hour and 14 minutes to arrive at the finish almost a quarter of an hour before anyone else was in sight.
Next to leave was the Slow Handicap Class with nine entries. The Picos had the best of this race with close finishes between all four Picos, Duncan Bates showing his skills by taking the win with Phil Wright second and Keiran Blaney third. Special congratulations to all three young Tera sailors for whom this long race, just under two hours, was a big step up. Well done to all of you, not only completing the course but doing so in very respectable times.
Last off the line were the 10 scows. Always fiercely contested there is not a helm in this fleet who hasn't a chance of a win if things go well for them. Martyn Davies dominated this race and sailed home to a well-deserved win, with Will Squibb second and Pete Giles third. Further down the fleet, just 3 seconds separated Tom Langshaw and Sarah Jane, incredibly close after one and three quarter hours racing. Huge welcome back to the fleet to Chris Wade, who we hope we will now see out in his scow on a regular basis.
As ever, huge thanks to all the volunteers who make BHYC racing not just possible but safe and fun too. Chris, George, Tod, Steve, Robin and Ian, thank you.
Last updated 22:56 on 7 November 2024
