Alton Water 2019 Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series - Week 3

Water at the mark during Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series week 3 © Tim Bees

We could say what a difference a week makes again in this roller-coaster series of extremes! Week three dawned cold and brighter, with very little breeze from the north and an expectation that it would veer north-east that didn't materialise.

Fifty-four boats took to the water but with a smaller fast fleet but expanded slow fleet from the previous week's much windier conditions. Many of the sailors might have appreciated some of the gusts they experienced in races 3 and 4 but at least the very light wind slowed their approach to the start line, meaning there were no general recalls this week, though some who weren't on the ball with the flags and hoots during the start sequences or were catching up on the gossip under-estimated how long it might take them to get to the start. The newly-decorated more visible pin-end buoy, may have helped as well.

The bottom (light wind) reach during Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series week 3 - photo © Tim Bees

There was just enough wind for a second, shorter race before the wind died. The wind strength has been so varied in this series to date that some competitors have multiple entries and are changing boat or rig according to the conditions, knowing it means that they won't be in the prizes at the end, while others are choosing to 'grin and bear it' in the hope that at least some of the races will be to their liking.

Conditions were certainly good for our regular photographer, Tim Bees, to get some excellent shots from his drone.

Laser start from above during Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series week 3 - photo © Tim Bees

There is close competition at the top of most of the fleets after six races, with a tie at the top of the Laser fleet and the Fast, Asymmetric and Medium fleet all seeing the series leaders only one point ahead of the second-placed boat, while in the Slow fleet the series leader has a three-point lead. With twelve races still to sail and six discards out of eighteen races, there is much still to play for.

Tim Bees' photos can be seen here and there are more photos on the Alton Water Sailing facebook page.

Race and series results to date can be found here.

Week 3 Highlight Results:

Series Leaders: (after six races)