Chichester Yacht Club Frozen Toe Series Races 1 & 2
by Louise Varley 13 Nov 2013 12:58 GMT
3 November 2013
A scary forecast of 20-30 knots and Halloween parties the night before meant there was a small turnout for the 10am start of the first of the open winter Frozen Toe series races at CYC. The sun shone but the wind was a very gusty westerly, reaching 35 knots on occasion. In the fast fleet only 2 were brave enough to tackle the course set by Race Officer Derek Jackman, stretching the full area of Chichester Lake, with 2 beats, a run and 2 reaches. Martin Orton and daughter Stephi kept their 29er pointing more or less the right way – and mostly the right way up - and whipped round the 2 laps in 35 minutes, followed by Richard Bentley of Felpham in a Laser Vago XD.
The medium fleet was larger, with 13 entries, but 3 chose not to go afloat, and a couple did not finish. Of the 8 finishers, Ian Payne of CYC led home in his Laser in under 40 minutes, having chosen the favoured left side of the course on the second lap and showing his skill in heavy weather to gain a lead of 10 boat lengths. Payne was followed on the water by 2 more Lasers, but they were beaten on handicap by the Solos of Guy Mayger (Felpham) and Mark Harper (CYC). Mike Linney and Giles Dixon in their 2000 sailed well, but stopped to help a capsized Topper with no sign of the helm (who had already been taken off by the safety boat) and were given 7th place on the basis of their first lap time.
The slow fleet fared less well: of the 6 entries, one sailed back in before the start and none of the rest finished, whether deciding to retire, exhausted through capsizes or suffering gear failure. Given the conditions and the state of the sailors, RO Jackman wisely decided not to run the second race. The safety boats ensured all got home safe and most of the sailors enjoyed a good blast despite capsizes.
Races 3 and 4 of the Frozen Toe are scheduled for Sunday 17 November, 10 am first start: we are hoping to attract larger fleets with the lighter forecast breeze!