2009 Frostbite Sailing Series

Frostbite Dinghy Series 2009

The sixth Frostbite Series, was due to start on Sunday 18 January but was cancelled when on Saturday a gale warning was received for Sunday. ( Races 1,2 cancelled)

Feb 1st, the second date on the programme and once again the weather foiled the efforts to get the Frostbite started. At 9.30am the decision was taken to race but the bitter east wind steadily increased; at 10.45pm the racing was cancelled but a s earlier in the month several boats were launched for an exciting fun sail with rescue boats at hand. The post sail soup in the Crows Nest was enjoyed by all. (Races 3,4 cancelled).

On 18th February it was third time lucky as the racing finally got underway. A mixed fleet of 12 dinghies sailed in the 2 races. Initially the wind was light but soon increased to a fresh breeze, strong in the gusts. It was exciting sailing for all and there were several capsizes in the fresh conditions.
Race 5 & 6 had the same result: 1 Douglas Lloyd Haynes, Laser Radial; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Steve Wood & Crawford McLeary, Laser 2000. Douglas, a young rising star in Laser sailing and has already achieved national results in Toppers and is on track to do the same in Lasers.

Sunday 1st March was the most successful event of the series so far with 15 boats taking part in the 3 races. The sailing conditions were near perfect with steady wind and a flat sea and the added bonus of unbroken sunshine.
All 3 races were hotly contested and the final results are eagerly awaited. The average lap results were calculated; race 7,8: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Steve Wood & Crawford McLeary, Laser 2000; 3 Catherine Bellamy, Comet. Race 9: 1 Ben Davies, 2 David Morgan, Laser; 3 Owen Jones Williams, RS Vario.

Sunday 15th March was perfect for winter sailing, almost like summer with sunshine, calm sea and just enough wind for the 17 dinghies - single handers, two man boats and catamarans to experience close competitive sailing.
The starts proved very exciting with everyone keen to get to the best place on the start line for the ‘off’. The hot competition continued with everyone using all their skills to gain advantage as they raced several laps around the course. Three races were completed. Race 10: 1 Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Liz Howell & Fraser McMillan, F 18; 3 Catherine Bellamy, Comet. Race 11: 1 Steve Wood & Crawford Mcleary, Laser 2000; 2 Ben Davies, Laser; 3 Catherine Bellamy, Comet. Race 12: joint 1: Catherine Bellamy , Comet; Ben Davies, Laser; 3 David Morgan, Laser.

The last 2 races of the New Quay Yacht Club/ Cardigan Bay Watersports Frostbite Series 2009 were held on a sunny Sunday, 29 March. The day before the bay was in the turmoil of a northerly gale with final event looking doubtful but Sunday dawned as a perfect late spring day and 16 boats were on the start line for the final competition. Two races were completed and the final result was eagerly awaited. Results of race 13: 1 Nick James, Laser; 2 Catherine Bellamy, Comet; 3 Tilly James, Topper; Race 14: 1 Catherine Bellamy, Comet; 2 Nick James, Laser; 3 Tilly James, Topper.

The Frostbite Race Series Trophy winner was Ben Davies, Laser; 2 Catherine Bellamy, Comet; 3 Steve Wood & Crawford McLeary, Laser 2000.
A late lunch for all competitors and helpers was held in the Crows Nest followed by a vote of thanks to all by New Quay Yacht Club Commodore Martin Seal and the presentation of prizes by Steve Wood, Principal, Cardigan Bay Watersports.

This event goes from strength to strength and after 6 years with a small dedicated team of volunteers for sharing duties of OOD, safety boat crew, race briefing, soup making, calculating results and shore crew. Many of the sailors have also been regulars for the 6 years changing roles and boats as required – in 2009 there were 34 different crew combinations and 15 different classes of boat. The average lap system of racing round a small triangular course has proved fair for all, The safety boat cover of 2 RIBs , Viking and August Fox has worked well. The series is an open event with sailors from Tresaith Mariners, Aberystwyth, the Aber University Sailing Club and Cardigan Bay Watersports regularly sailing with NYQC members.

Classes 2009 Dinghies: Laser, Laser 2000, Laser 2, 420, Comet, Pico, Laser Bahia, RS Vario, Topper, Topaz, RS Feva, Lark Catamarans: Hobie Tiger F 18, Hurricane, Dart 16.

2009 is the sixth Frostbite Sailing Series, to read previous reports see Frostbite 2008