Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club Frostbite Series - Day 2
by Alan Jackson 26 Feb 2008 11:31 GMT
10 February - 9 March 2008
Racing on day two of the Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club Frostbite Series © Peter Freshwater
Sunshine and meaty squalls brought excitement, fear and a rapid opening of the Splat The Duck competition for 2008. Martin Scarth joined the fleet this week, front ended by Nigel Sheppard sailing a Fireball. Also we saw the return of home club sailor Kevin Whittle sailing a Laser and a second Hornet visiting sailed by Steve and Alistair. Also the return of Simon Sawyer sailing a Merlin, front ended by Ron Suffield.
Bill heading the race box set a course in Lawling Creek and with a SW 14 knots lumping 20, the fleet put to the water and it was clear very quickly that the shelter given by the club house and Maylandsea had lead the fleet into a relaxed state of mind as the fleet appeared to be struggling to gain control as they approached the start line and three boats return to restart.
Dean and Rob (one of the boats that restarted) got back into the race very quickly with nippy spinnaker work in what was now quite a testing ride, beavered away to finish 4th. Martin (Laser) as always sailed well, maybe pushing the start a bit finished 3rd.
Jacko and Lorna also restarted and finished 2nd. Martin and Nigel did have a testing day heightened with the disappearance of the race mark Stripy and the decision of the support boat to place it’s self a ¼ of a mile further down the creek from where it would have been. All boats finished with Martin and Nigel taking the bullet.
Race 4 was a much more cautious affair; all competitors being on the same side of the start line. The tide had now flooded over the saltings and the breeze was easing down. For Martin and Nigel it was lets get on with it leaving the fleet for dead at the start, not to seen again and taking the second bullet of the day. Jacko and Lorna once more left a lot to be done following the start. At the half way mark almost got back in the race but failed to capitalize on gains of Lawling point and losing time, passing the marina to finish 2nd. Dean and Rob battled on in the failing breeze and at times it looked like line honours may come to them as they sped past Jacko and made big gains on Martin in the Bay, but alas finished 3rd with Martin (Laser) 4th.
This now brings us to the last race day in the series, on the 9th March at 11:30 with all to do and all to lose. It is hoped that the winds are fair to all.
Results after Day 2:
1st Alan Jackson, Lorna Lavel, Merlin Rocket, 4pts
2nd Dean Saxton & R Smith, Hornet, 8pts
3rd Martin Tarling, Laser, 10pts
4th Peter Playle, Laser, 16pts
Full results and report at www.maylandseabay-sc.org.uk or sailingtheblackwater.blogspot.com