Pallot Windows Frostbite Series – Race 6 final report

by William Harris on 27 Jan 2011 The sixth and final race of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club’s Pallot Windows Frostbite Series was held on Sunday when fourteen boats came to the line for the 0830 start.

Despite having to rise bright and early, crews took consolation from the superb conditions that promised yet another good morning’s racing. Most notably, the series has been blessed with fine weather throughout and has lacked the occasional boisterous blow that boats have become accustomed to through the years. Sunday dawned bright with a moderate northeasterly breeze, slight seas in a sheltered St Aubin’s Bay and excitement in the air.

Up to this point, just one point separated Rhys Perkins and partners’ A35, Abracadabra, from Alex Ohlsson and Neil Maclachlan’s J-109, Jai Ho, in class one with Steve Pearl’s X-79, Less Xpense and Dave Williams’ Conrad 760, Tom Bombadil, level pegging in class two. Class three promised a duel between Mark Tucker’s Westerly Merlin, Lisia, and Kevin Holden’s UFO27, Matchless, for second place. Chris Fritot’s Hunter Sonata, Rondo, was unassailable in first place.

With spinnakers aloft, the faithful four class one cruisers were first away, remaining tightly bunched at the East Rock buoy before heading down to the Balleine and Vrachière buoys and the run across the Bay to the Grune du Port buoy. Abracadabra, eased into the lead to take line honours and finish two and a half minutes ahead of Jai Ho and last year’s winner, David Jones’ Jackana, on corrected time both returning the same time to the second! This win clinched overall victory for Abracadabra, two and a half points ahead of second placed Jai Ho with Jackana just one point further behind, after one discard.

Classes two and three started together, ten minutes after the class one start. Less Xpense and Tom Bombadil were well placed on the line at the starting signal with Jeff Speller’s Farr 727, 2Farr, lying third in the series, half a boat length ahead, just enough to put her ‘on course side’. Less Xpense took an early lead and was well clear by the time she was on her way to the Balleine. Despite Tom Bombadil’s valiant efforts, Less Xpense held her lead to take line honours and win the race by a minute and a half on corrected time. Tom Bombadil was second with Julian Barber’s Farr 727, Super Q, third. Less Xpense thus took the series, two points clear of Tom Bombadil, last year’s winner, with 2Farr third.

In class three, Jason Lees-Baker’s Bavaria 340, Argo Navis, took line honours but the day saw Rondo’s fourth win in the series, finishing over four minutes ahead of Matchless on corrected time. It was to be a nail-biting finish for Lisia as the wind had backed northerly to give a dead beat from the East Rock buoy to the finish line in the Small Roads. Fluky winds and short tacking took their toll, robbing Lisia of second place by just twenty seconds. Rondo not only took the day but also her second overall victory in the series in succession. Matchless and Lisia were second and third overall respectively.

This very successful series drew to a close following racing with a very well-attended prize-giving and lunch at the RCIYC. Speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Werner Toporis drew great applause when he announced that Pallot Windows will continue to sponsor the event next year. Vice Commodore Sandra Carroll thanked the sponsors on behalf of the club and the competitors.

Diary dates:

9th – 10th April – Connex Spring Regatta website
2nd – 4th September – Brewin Dolphin Jersey Regatta website

Results - Race 6:

Class 1
1 Abracadabra - Rhys Perkins & Partners (1.45.54)
=2 Jai Ho - Neil Maclachlan & Alex Ohlsson (1.48.21)
=2 Jackana - David Jones (1.48.21)
4 Jubilee G - Werner Toporis (2.01.14)

Class 2
1 Less Xpense - Steve Pearl (1.20.55)
2 Tom Bombadil - Dave Williams (1.22.25)
3 Super Q - Julian Barber (1.25.32)
4 Genie - Team Genie (1.29.54)
OCS - 2Farr - J Speller

Class 3
1 Rondo of Cowes - Chris Fritot (1.36.43)
2 Matchless - Kevin Holden (1.40.51)
3 Lisia - Mark Tucker (1.41.11)
4 Argo Navis - Jason Lees-Baker (1.41.33)
5 Vamos - David Hall (1.42.08)

Overall results:

Class 1
1 Abracadabra (7)
2 Jai Ho (9.5)
3 Jackana (10.5)
4 Jubilee G (20)
5 Big Boys Toys – J Smith (25)

Class 2
1 Less Xpense (6)
2 Bombadil (8)
3 2Farr (14)
4 Super Q (20)
5 Team Genie – C Perkins (24)
6 Arbitrator – H Barker (39)
7 Canders – J Barber (39)
8 Odd Job – P Treliving (40)

Class 3
1 Rondo of Cowes (6)
2 Matchless (10)
3 Lisia (15)
4 Vamos – D Hall (20)
5 Argo Navis (22)
6 Micmac – J Barber (37)
7 Miss Mischief – J Rogers (41)
8 Jabot – D Le Marquand (44)

Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club website