Alton Water 2018 Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series - Day 2

Waiting for the start and some wind on day 2 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Emer Berry

These Cadet sailors sang their way round to put some wind in their sails on day 2 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Tim Bees

RS300 crewed by Tohatsu on day 2 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Tim Bees

Sailors turning up for week two of the series, with three races planned, had high hopes for a full day's sailing. Last week saw 30kn+ gust limiting the racing to one race and on arrival this week, participants were greeted with just 3kn (and that was in the gusts). The day became more like sailing at a National Championship venue, with boats being towed to and from the race area to ensure the 70+ eager entrants were able to make it to the start line in time (as well as get back ashore post-race).

A multiple-lap course was set to split the fleet up and give a sensible race duration ready for the back-to-back races to follow. The wind was so light that some people had trouble getting across the line and there were a number on the wrong side who left it too late to get back in the Medium fleet, resulting in a general recall and the first black flag start of the Series.

The wind did not come out to play! With a first lap time of an hour or more for the slower boats, the first race was shortened and AP over A displayed for the second consecutive week.

It was good to see eight Finns racing in the Medium fleet and to have an Oppie join the Slow fleet. Ben Clegg appears to be doing boat trials, having won the fast fleet in a Merlin Rocket last week and winning again this week in a borrowed Phantom. What will he be sailing in this week? Unfortunately for him, the change of boat means a separate entry each time.

There is all to play for in this series, with seven weeks remaining and 16 races still to be sailed, so more entrants are welcome to join us. With six discards if all eighteen races are sailed, there is still time to fit in the decorating and homework around the sailing.

Some colour in an otherwise grey day 2 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series - photo © Emer Berry

The plan is for three races this Sunday and the next, when hopefully the wind will be more co-operative.

Day 2 Results:

Full results can be found here and photos can be seen on the Alton Water Sailing Facebook page and Tim Bees' photos on flickr here.