43rd Hoo Freezer 2014

Sunshine for the 2014 Hoo Freezer © Mark Barnes

Sunshine for the 2014 Hoo Freezer © Roy Winnett

The 43rd Hoo Freezer was held over the weekend 15th & 16th February, sponsored by MDL Marina Chatham, Pirates Cave, Gillingham Marina, Ross Yacht Services and Medway and Swale Boating Association.

Hoo Ness YC having lost the use of the facilities at Hoo Marina, the event was organised by Wilsonian SC, hosted by Medway YC with support and assistance from Hoo Ness YC. Other sailing clubs, the scouts and Coast Guard provided safety cover.

The customary format was followed; practice race on Saturday and the Hoo Freezer on Sunday, with two starts, fast handicap PY less than 1000 and medium handicap PY 1001 – 1160.

However, the overnight gales had failed to moderate sufficiently by Saturday morning and with wind speeds around 20 knots and frequent gusts in excess of 30 knots the practice race was abandoned.

In stark contrast, cloudless skies and a light south-westerly greeted the competitors Sunday morning. No doubt the late decision to go ahead with the Freezer and the earlier atrocious forecasts kept entries down to just 23 boats. With light winds a short course was set but making full use of the river over top of the tide to give a variety of leeward, windward and reaching legs.

James Stevens/Simon Owens (Buzz) led the medium fleet to the windward mark and to surge ahead with spinnaker flying on the downwind leg. Meanwhile a close contest developed between the Wayfarers of Brian Lamb/Sam Pygall and Brian McKenzie/Chris Brealy. Lamb/Pygall kept the lead all the way until the last leg when McKenzie/Brealy eased ahead but were then tactically out manoeuvred rounding the final mark for Lamb/Pygall to finish 21seconds ahead on the line. Their close battle had an excellent outcome, on corrected time Lamb/Pygall lifted the Hoo Freezer Trophy with McKenzie/Brealy runners-up. Stevens/Owens were not so fortunate, they suffered trapeze failure and ended up 16th. Although Martin Jones (Blaze) kept up with the leaders was relegated to 14th on handicap.

Andrew Peake/Graham Oliver (Int.14) stormed round the course clear ahead of the fast fleet but had to settle for 6th on adjusted time. Neil Ashby (RS 700) was close behind for 4th prize while Simon Hadley/Nikki Hadley (B14) were just outside the prizes in 11th.

Sunshine for the 2014 Hoo Freezer - photo © Mark Barnes

Two Ospreys were in competition but Mick Greenland/Jonathan Osgood showed their credential finishing well ahead in 3rd place with Russell Wheeler/Lee Marriott 6th. Similarly John Gill/Juliet Daniels won the ISO contest with Stuart/Zoe Bailey for 5th prize and Chris Ashby/Ian Parris got the better of Jo Wicken/Steve Offer in the Altos, though Wicken/Offer did get the consolation of being awarded the Race Officer's prize for their spectacular capsize on the line just after finishing. Simon Allen (Canoe Int.) was not in his usual form with just a 7thplace.

There were just single entries for the class team prize and club team prize, so it is no surprise that the Wayfarers won the class prize with Lamb/Pygall, McKenzie/Brealy and 10th placed Chris Parish/Daniel Crocket and Wilsonian SC the club team prize with Peake/Oliver, Ashby/Parris and Wicken/Offer.

Medway Mayor Cllr Josie Iles with help from Colin Treadwell Race Officer from Wilsonian SC, presented the prizes.

Overall Results & Prizes:

Hoo Freezer
1st Wayfarer 10934 Brian Lamb/Sam Pygall (Wilsonian SC)
2nd Wayfarer 10686 Brian McKenzie/Chris Brealy (Medway YC)
3rd Osprey 1322 Mick Greenland/Jonathan Osgood (Isle of Sheppey SC)
4th RS700 839 Neil Ashby (Shoreham SC)
5th ISO 1003 John Gill/Juliet Daniels (Stone SC)
6th International 14 1522 Andrew Peake/Graham Oliver (Wilsonian SC)
7th Canoe International 278 Simon Allen (Hayling Island SC)
8th Alto 117 Chris Ashby/Ian Parris (Wilsonian SC)
9th Osprey 1341 Russell Wheeler/Lee Marriott (Isle of Sheppey SC)
10th Wayfarer 9301 Chris Parish/Daniel Crocket (Medway YC)

Hoo Freezer Cup & Highest placed on aggregate
Wayfarer 10934 Brian Lamb/Sam Pygall (Wilsonian SC)

Highest Placed Class Team
Wayfarers: 10934 Brian Lamb/Sam Pygall (Wilsonian SC) Brian McKenzie/Chris Brealy (Medway YC) Chris Parish/Daniel Crocket (Medway YC)

Highest Placed Club Team
Wilsonian SC: Andrew Peake/Graham Oliver (International 14) Chris Ashby/Ian Parris (Alto) Jo Wicken/Steve Offer (Alto)

Race Officer's Prize
Jo Wicken/Steve Offer (Alto)

Full Overall Results: