Alton Water Zhik Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series - Day 5
by Jenny Pavey 5 Feb 2013 07:24 GMT
3 February 2013
The Zhik Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series at Alton Water is back on track, having now caught up with previously postponed races, so Sunday saw the racing revert to the original format of Frostbite Series class/fleet racing followed back-to-back by a Sub-Zero Series race with separate starts but all in result.
A reasonably positive forecast of a dry day with a 15-18 mph south westerly (dropping later) was rather tempered by Windguru's prediction of 30+ mph gusts. Perhaps it was the gust forecast and the toll of last week's heavy weather racing that kept some of the more regular competitors at home. The race management team majored on the better (non-gust) forecast and the positive news that the air temperature would reach a heady 7°C. Both race team and competitor views were proven right; some gusts on top of the SW 4/5 but with a significant wind chill as the temperature did not reach its predicted maximum until boats were packed up and competitors were driving out of the car park. The race officer's decision to postpone the third race of the day (a Sub Zero catch up from Week 1) to another, hopefully warmer, day was welcomed by the competitors, rescue crews and race team.
The choice of course was somewhat dictated by the wind direction and number of boats; do you have 'crossing' or a second windward mark rounding to starboard? The decision was made to take the latter option and to position the gybe mark away from the draw-off tower giving competitors, spectators and rescue craft an interesting morning. The ratio of finishers to starters was vastly improved from the previous week and probably reflected greater ability to remain upright driven by the fear of capsizing in the 1°C water.
It was a delight to see the increased numbers in the slow handicap start mainly made up of youth and junior sailors and well done to them for staying out for the back-to-back race when many of their older (and wiser?) opposition returned to the clubhouse.
The four-start format was maintained for both pre-lunch races and as usual the second race was shorter than the first by a lap. We are now over half-way through the main series with five out of nine races sailed and some focus will now be on the substantial series prizes on offer from our sponsors Zhik and Seamark Nunn.
Fleet by fleet action highlights
- a welcome back to our Javelin competitor who stayed out for both races but was pipped for the prize in the 'big' race by the once again well sailed Kestrel. The RS800 is making a late run to get towards the top of the leader board but having used all series discards it will be difficult, while the 505 is a more realistic challenger to the Kestrel. It was good to see spinnakers flying on a few legs of the course, though the 505 crew were seen testing the water temperature on a couple of occasions.
- a small but select fleet of Phantoms had very close racing and it appears that the recent heavy weather has reduced the interest amongst the fleet. Let's hope for less wind and more Phantoms next week.
- in the Laser fleet, as per last week this was a Radial day, with two Radials well sailed and out front right from the start. No major Laser incidence or excitement was seen from the committee boat other than grateful thanks that the second race was shortened.
- once again the Larks and RS200s revelled in the conditions with as ever the Finn keeping them honest. We look forward to all the Lark entries racing on the same day... next week? A good mix of craft in the Medium handicap start including Solos, with an OK and Scorpion having challenging racing.
- the slow handicap start was their largest to date with a good mix of Fevas, Teras, Toppers and Cadets with the odd Topaz. The whole fleet revelled in the conditions and had a fast, if cold, couple of races with the Teras coming out on top.
The Sub Zero race was sailed back to back with a reduced number of competitors probably due to the wind chill factor. Results per start are shown below with top overall results going to the Phantom of Bob Portway followed by Tim Linsell/Alan Krailing in their Lark ahead of another Phantom sailed by Matt House.
No long range forecast for this coming Sunday other than to expect the usual upbeat race management message at the briefing at 10.30. Once again three races are planned, Frostbite Race 6 followed back-to-back by Sub-Zero race 6 and Sub-Zero catch-up Race 1 after lunch.
Frostbite Series Race 5 Results:
Fast
1st David Hearsum/Ian Hearsum - Kestrel (Hickling Broad SC)
2nd Gavin Johnson/Matt Toone – Javelin (Alton Water SC)
3rd Ben Clegg/John Page – RS800 (Alton Water SC)
Phantoms
1st Robert Portway (Alton Water SC)
2nd Matt House (Alton Water SC)
Lasers
1st Rheanna Pavey – Radial (Alton Water SC)
2nd Charlie Linsell – Radial (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Graham Ireland – Standard (RHYC)
Medium Handicap
1st Tim Linsell/Alan Krailing - Lark (Waldringfield SC)
2nd Stephen Videlo/Maddie Harris – Lark (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Jerry Andrews - Finn (Alton Water SC)
Slow handicap
1st William Taylor – Tera Pro (Alton Water SC)
2nd Gus Cooney/James Mitchin – Cadet (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Alistair Grant - Optimist (Alton Water SC)
Series Leaders: (with 5 out of 9 races sailed)
Fast handicap: David & Ian Hearsum - Kestrel
Phantoms: Matt House
Lasers: Graham Ireland - Standard
Medium Handicap: Harry Pynn/Gemma Cook – Lark
Slow Handicap: Barry Garrod – Topaz
Sub Zero Series Race 5 Results:
Fast Handicap
1st Gavin Johnson/Matt Toone – Javelin (Alton Water SC)
2nd Ben Clegg/John Page – RS800 (Alton Water SC)
Phantoms
1st Robert Portway (Alton Water SC)
2nd Matt House (Alton Water SC)
Lasers
1st Rheanna Pavey – Radial (Alton Water SC)
2nd Charlie Linsell – Radial (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Graham Ireland – Standard (RHYC)
Medium Handicap
1st Tim Linsell/Alan Krailing - Lark (Waldringfield SC)
2nd Stephen Videlo/Maddie Harris – Lark (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Geoffrey Morris - Solo (SESCA)
Slow handicap
1st William Taylor – Tera Pro (Alton Water SC)
2nd Archie Hainsworth – Tera Sport (Alton Water SC)
3rd Alistair Grant - Optimist (Alton Water SC)
Full results including series results so far can be found at www.altonwater.co.uk