Alton Water 2019 Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series - Week 5

A calm moment before the wind picked up again on week 5 of the Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series © Tim Bees

Amazingly, the frustrating, alternating weather pattern continues and so week 5 brought us another bright but cold and at times virtually windless day, in stark contrast to the unsailable conditions of the previous week.

The aim was to run three races and the first race began in a very light north-westerly, which was expected to go to the west and then south west. Sixty-three boats took to the water, keen to make the most of what little wind there was while it lasted which wasn't long. After a general recall for the Medium fleet, all the fleets got away but the wind died midway through the race and it became a tactical battle to seek out the little there was. However, just as the Race Officer was thinking that the first race would be the only one of the day, the wind picked up a little, allowing two more races to be sailed, the third in a decent breeze when crews were even able to sit out at times, so those who thought a Sunday roast had more appeal than staying out for a third race, missed the best conditions of the day. The Lasers had a general recall in the last race and there were several individual recalls as sailors didn't want to stray too far from the line in the light conditions.

Duelling RS800s on week 5 of the Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series - photo © Emer Berry

It was good to see some new race winners, notably Ben Alexander and Elspeth Orme in their RS200 and Hazel Whittle/Gwen Thorogood and Daisy Nunn/Oscar Bush in Cadets. The Series leaders have all changed apart from the Asymmetrics, but with nine races still to sail the series is far from over.

The Cadets always enjoy close racing on week 5 of the Alton Water Fox's Chandlery Frostbite Series - photo © Tim Bees

Three races are planned again this Sunday, weather permitting, to catch up on the schedule and the Race Officer will be keen to have everyone (well, mainly himself) ashore in time for the Six Nations Rugby. Participants will also be kept up-to-date with the Ipswich v Norwich football derby score during racing this weekend.

Full results of the series so far can be found here.

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

Selected Week 5 Results:

Series Leaders after Week 5: