2008 Frostbite Sailing Series

Frostbite 2008 - Final Report

Races 1 and 2
The Frostbite Dinghy Sailing Series for 2008 at New Quay began on Sunday 6 January in near perfect conditions, slight sea, light wind and even some sunshine, remarkable for the time of year. Eleven dinghies raced, four single handers , six 2 man dinghies and a very fast catamaran. This was a very gentle introduction to the winter series with no capsizes.

Results: Race 1: 1 Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Liz Howell & Frazer McMillan, F18. Race 2: 1 Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Davies Morgan, Laser.

Races 3 and 4
Eight intrepid crews in 3 Lasers, 3 Laser 2000, 1 F8 Cat, and 1 Pico, took to sea on 20 January to race in the second Frostbite Racing event at New Quay on Sunday. They were not deterred by the gusty South West wind blowing at 20 knots and gusting at quite a bit more or by the rain. The first race was challenging with one or two capsizes but all boats crossing the finish however during the second race the wind increased and many crews retired.

Results for Race 3 in the series: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Liz Howell & Fraser McMillan, F 18 Tiger; 3 Crawford McLeary, Laser. Race 4: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Andy Howes & Nigel Howes, Laser 2000; 3 Liz Howell & Fraser McMillan, F 18 Tiger.

Races 5 and 6
The strength of the southerly wind and a forecast of the wind to increase resulted in the decision not to race. Event 3 of the Frostbite dinghy series on Sunday morning 3 February.

Races 7 and 8
After being blown out a fortnight ago it looked as if there would not be enough wind to even start racing on Sunday 17 February but the lightest of breezes set the 18 boats off on the first race. The challenge was to get in the breeze and stay with it requiring intense concentration. All the dinghies completed the first race. The breeze died completely in the second race with only half the fleet reaching the finish. Although not exciting sailing there was a certain amount of sheer pleasure drifting in the warm sunshine on a calm sea in February.

Results: Race 7: 1 Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Liz Howell & Fraser McMillan, F18 Tiger. Race 8 : Joint 1 Ben Davies Laser & Crawford McLeary, Laser; 3 Fergus Whiteside & Kate Ingham, Laser 2.

Races 9 and 10
Six boats competed in the 2 races held in a fresh easterly breeze with the 3 Laser 2000 enjoying close competition, all 3 deciding to reef sails . Ben’s closest competiton was the F 18 Catamaran as Crawford took over as Race Officer in the absence of the usual team. Race results: Race 9: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Pete Jones & Fraser McMillan, F18 Tiger; 3 Steve Wood & Sheila Morgan, Laser 2000. Race 10: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Pete Jones & Fraser McMillan, F18 Tiger; 3 Steve Wood & Sheila Morgan, Laser 2000.

Final Frostbite Races
The northerly wind blowing at 3-4 knots creating a large swell was challenging for the 8 competitors in this the last event of the series. It was also a challenge for the race committee being tossed about for over 2 hours in a moored boat on the start line. Results Race 11: 1 Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Pete Jones & Fraser McMillan, F 18 Tiger; 3 Stuart Gill & Ed Williams, 420. Race 12: 1 Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 David Morgan, Laser; 3 Pete Jones & Fraser McMillan, F 18 tiger.

After lunch in the Crows Nest the prizes were presented by Commodore Rosemary Brangwin. The Frostbite Series Cup was retained by Crawford McLeary, Laser; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Steve Wood & Sheila Morgan, Laser 2000; 4 Pete Masters & Jennifer Davies, Laser 2000. Fraser McMillan received the Crew Award and Ed Williams the Junior Award.

The 2008 series was very successful with 10 out of 12 races being sailed. The numbers taking part increase each year, in 2008, 30 sailors and 21 boats. The event could not be sustained at this level without the co-operation of CBWS – the loan of their RIB – thanks to Ceri Knapgate and Steve Wood. Essential too were the many volunteers organised by Crawford – on safety boats: Stuart, Pauli, Kevin, James ( Tresaith Mariners) and Mike, Kester (NQYC); committee boat: Ed, Kathy, Janice; in the Crows Nest, Liz dealt with the entries and heated up the soup made by Sheila and Jennifer.

2008 was the fourth Frostbite Sailing Series, to read previous reports see Frostbite 2007