Chichester Yacht Club Frozen Toe Series Race 6
by Louise Varley 16 Dec 2013 14:46 GMT
15 December 2013
The early high tide allowed only one race to be scheduled for the day, and with a forecast of deteriorating weather around midday Race Officer Nick Colbourne got the fleet off sharply at 10. The course was a compact trapezium + sausage with 4 laps set, allowing for lap times to be used in the event of bad weather forcing an early finish. As it turned out, the breeze remained kind at around 12-18 knots and it only rained a bit. The wind was quite shifty, and coupled with the ebbing tide presented challenges to the fleet in selecting the smartest route around the course.
The fast fleet was narrowed down to 3 contenders, with a couple of the regulars doing duties for their average points. The RS200 of Will and Rob Henderson from Itchenor, visiting for the first time in this series, showed the way to CYC sailors Nick and Roger Elliman in their RS400. The Felpham Laser Vago XD team of Richard Bentley and Ian Anderson came in third, retaining their lead in the series. The only boat to have competed in every race of the series, they can almost taste the chocolates, but with 2 more races to go, and 1 more discard, the tables could turn dramatically.
In the 12-strong medium fleet, Charlie Porter (CYC) shot off the start line in his Laser and led all the way round. Close behind him was Richard Bailey of Emsworth also in a Laser, and third over the line was the CYC 2000 of Chris Hodge and Louise Varley. On handicap though it was Lucy Boreham, showing increasing strength in her Europe, who took a very creditable first place. Series leader Guy Mayger did not sail, Lucy has moved up to second and Mark Harper lies in third place: with these 3 very close on points it is all to sail for on the last day.
The 10 boats in the slow fleet were again led round by Emsworth SC boys J Taylor and J Halliday in their RS Feva XL, but CYC youngster Charlie Elliott crewed by Harry Cowell from Hamble were not far behind in theirs. Howard Lane (Lancing) in his Topper was third over the line to retain his series lead, but it was Henry Chandler from Emsworth SC who took first place on handicap in his Optimist.
A nail-biting finish is expected for the final Frozen Toe Races 7 & 8 starting at 12.30 on Sunday 22nd December. With the winter solstice on the 21st we can look forward to the days lengthening for the CYC Open Snowflake Series starting on Sunday 5th January, running through to Sunday 2nd March. NOR, SI's etc. on www.cyc-dinghies.co.uk
For full results see these pages: