RSYC Doyle Sails Frostbite Series Race 1 - Warm and windy
by Mike Garvey on 25 Jan 2011
SW
Royal Southampton Yacht Club Doyle Sails Frostbite Series Race 1.
It was a windy blustery day which greeted the first sail of the year which would certainly blow away the cobwebs.
The gradient wind was circa 22 knots with gust up to 30 knots from the SW which was warm especially after the recent cold spell for the inaugural race of the Doyle Sails Frostbite Series. With 35 entries in 2 x IRC and 2 x RSYC classes the first race got under way with many putting reefs in. The first run was exciting with plenty of boats flying their kites however there were plenty of broaches in the strong gusts and from early on Doyle Sails were going to be kept busy after the race!
An early casualty was Alice, last year’s series winner ,who sadly broke their mast which went with a bang as it was carbon fibre, fortunately no one was hurt. Jammin too had problems with their genaker which wrapped around the forestay and took a good flogging in the breeze.
With 4 boats retiring and others with torn sails when the gradient wind picked up to 25knots plus and the gusts up to 35 knots the second race was abandoned.
The racing was close in all classes with Class 1 being won by J Dream - Kirsty and David Apthorp’s J109. Class 2 by J’ronimo - David Greehalgh’s J92s. Class 3 by Vader - Doug Innes’s Cork 1720 and Class 4 by Little Spirit - Brian Coopers Beneteau 375.
Royal Southampton Yacht Club
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