Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne win Hoo Freezer

by Sail-World on 10 Feb 2009 The 38th Hoo Freezer was held over the weekend 7 & 8 February hosted by Hoo Ness YC and organized with assistance from Wilsonian SC. With heavy snowfalls elsewhere and threat of more to come, entries were down to just 50. Though the calling off of some other events, including the Tiger Trophy at Rutland, had sent a few in our direction.

The customary format was followed of a practice race on Saturday and the Hoo Freezer on Sunday. There were two starts, fast handicap PY less than 1000 and medium handicap PY 1001 – 1160. Courses were set to make full use of the river over top of the tide and give a variety of leeward, windward and reaching legs.

Only 22 boats ventured out for the practice race, the early 10:00hrs start (governed by the tide), sub-zero temperatures and a force 3 – 4 northwesterly giving an icy wind-chill could have been contributing factors. Neil Ashby/Nick Lett (ISO) gradually establish a leading position in the fast fleet, kept off the challenge from Mike Gower (Laser Vortex) to secure victory and lift the Gun Wharf Cup while Steve Hall/Simon Haighton (Scorpion) led the medium fleet home for third.

The wind backed to southwesterly overnight, eased to force 2 – 3, the sun made an appearance and the temperature rose above freezing. But disappointingly only 43 of the 50 entries were on the start line.

After a false start the medium fleet were first away and Graham Camm/Zoe Ballantyne (National 12) were first to the windward mark, followed closely by Hall/Haighton and the RS200s of Steve/Judy Restall and Chris/Nikki Catt. Camm/Ballantyne held their place in the leading pack, to win comfortably on corrected time.

The Catt duo won the RS200 contest, finishing over a minute ahead to gain runners-up prize with the Restalls having to settle for fifth. Hall/Haighton were third again and with Barry/Linda Wolfenden (Scorpion) 6th and Janet/Alan Richie (Scorpion) 12th secured the highest placed class team prize.

In the fast handicap Daniel Hare/Gareth Davies (49ER) powered away to establish a 15-minutes lead at the line but relegated to 13th on corrected time. Richard White/Martyn Styles (RS400) kept up with the leaders for fourth and with the RS 200s clinched highest placed club team prize for Downs SC.

The Wilsonian trio of Tony Hunt/Suzanne Hall (3000), Brian Lamb/John Goudie (Wayfarer) and Stuart Bailey/Zoe Noble ended up 8th, 9th and 10th respectively. While Wilsonian youngsters Aaron Smith and Alec Rodgers (29ER) were first youth sailors.

Tom Sims awarded the Race Officer’s Prize to Simon Allen, who had returned to Portsmouth after sailing the practice race, carried out an evening and an early morning piloting duty on Southampton water, left at 08:30hrs, made the 100 miles journey back to Kent, on the start-line by 11:00hrs and finished seventh.

Medway’s Mayor Cllr David Carr, who had sailed the freezer in his younger days, presented the prizes, aided by Richard Cassem commodore of Hoo Ness YC, who compared the ample grit amongst the freezer competitors and lack elsewhere.

Other sailing clubs, the Scouts, St. John’s Ambulance and the Coast Guard provided safety cover. Hoo Marina, Pirates Cave, Tacktick Instrumentation, Precision Navigation, MDL and Gillingham Marina generously sponsored the event.
Overall Results/Prizes

Hoo Freezer (Hoo Freezer Cup)

1st National 12 3492 Graham Camm/Zoe Ballantyne (Burghfield SC)
2nd RS 200 1031 Chris/Nikki Catt (Downs SC)
3rd Scorpion 2008 Steve Hall/Simon Haighton (Northampton SC)
4th RS 400 1170 Richard White/Martyn Styles (Downs SC)
5th RS 200 1010 Steve/Judy Restall (Downs SC)
6th Scorpion 2002 Barry/Linda Wolfenden (Chipstead SC)
7th Int. Canoe 278 Simon Allen (Hayling Island SC)
8th 3000 3603 Tony Hunt/Suzanne Hall (Wilsonian SC)
9th Wayfarer 10201 Brian Lamb/John Goudie (Wilsonian SC)
10th Buzz 1079 Stuart Bailey/Zoe Noble (Wilsonian SC)

First Youth Sailor (Hoo Marina Cup) - Aaron Smith and Alec Rodgers (29ER)

Highest Placed Club Team: Downs SC - Richard White/Martyn Styles, Steve/Judy Restall and Chris/Nikki Catt

Highest Placed Class Team: Scorpion - Janet/Alan Richie, Barry/Linda Wolfenden and Steve Hall/Simon Haighton

Highest placed boat Saturday and Sunday combined - Scorpion 2008 Steve Hall/Simon Haighton

Race Officer’s Prize - Simon Allen (Hayling Island SC)

Saturday practice race (Sun Wharf Cup)

1st ISO 1195 Neil Ashby/Nick Lett (Bewl Valley SC)
2nd Vortex 1013 Mike Gower (Wilsonian SC)
3rd Scorpion 2008 Steve Hall/Simon Haighton (Northampton SC)