Pallot Windows Frostbite Series at Royal Channel Islands YC

by William Harris on 2 Feb 2012 Pallot Windows Frostbite Series sixth and final race, hosted by Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, was held on Sunday 29th January in St Aubin’s Bay. Conditions were less than promising with absolutely no wind in the start area.

With eleven boats turning out for the nine o’clock start, the race officer hoisted the answering pennant to postpone for a short while in the hope that sufficient breeze to get boats over the start line, would be forthcoming, despite the forecast for light and variable winds. This proved to be a winning tactic as the wind gods smiled and a light northeasterly breeze soon developed to give the boats steerage way.

So it was that racing got under way twenty minutes late with the two class one faithfuls setting off, albeit very tenderly at the start. Rhys Perkins and partners’ Archambault 35, Abracadabra, was soon away to lead the series leader, David Jones’ First 34.7 Jackana around the shortest course available to the race committee. Abracadabra went on to take line honours and the race on corrected time after two hours’ racing, finishing a little over five minutes ahead of Jackana on corrected time. However, with four wins to her credit, Jackana was already unbeatable, finally carrying what has been a very enjoyable series for both boats two points ahead of the A35.

Unfortunately for the class 2 and 3 boats, the breeze quickly died again and an attempted start had to be abandoned as no boat had cleared the start line before they timed out. Following another short wait the light breeze reappeared, allowing the start to get under way. David Williams’ Conrad 760, Tom Bombadil, slid nicely away from the body of the fleet to be well ahead at the East Rock buoy and to establish an impressive lead over the series leader, Steve Pearl’s X79, Less Xpense. Due to the uncertainty of the breeze, it was decided to shorten course at the East Rock buoy for these classes. Tom Bombadil took line honours and the race, over twenty minutes ahead of Less Xpense, her second win in the series. This, however, could not dislodge the X79, with three wins, from her guaranteed first place overall. Jeff Speller’s Farr 727, 2Farr, finished third and was third overall. Further down the fleet, the day saw the tables turned when Helen Barker’s Farr 727, Arbitrator, with champion Hobie F18 sailor and RCIYC Rear Commodore Darren Stower at the helm, beat Julian Barber’s Farr 727, Super Q to finish fourth. Super Q, however, had the qualified satisfaction of a fourth place overall.

Regrettably for Kevin Holden’s UFO27, Matchless, there were no surprises in class 3 with Chris Fritot’s Hunter Sonata, Rondo, finishing over twenty minutes ahead of her rival and notching up her fifth win in the series.

This classic event, sponsored for the fourth year in succession by Pallot Windows, was brought to a close, following racing, with the end of series dinner in the RCIYC clubhouse when Vice Commodore Sandra Carroll, after thanking the sponsors for their continued support, presented the place prizes to the worthy winners.

The Frostbite Series perpetual trophies, along with the Club’s many other trophies resulting from a very successful season, are to be presented by Lady McColl, wife of the Island’s Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John McColl, at the RCIYC annual dinner and prize-giving (a sell-out) taking place at the St Brelade’s Bay Hotel this Saturday.

Results:
Cruiser class 1
1 Abracadabra - Rhys Perkins & Partners (2.04.55)
2 Jackana - David Jones (2.10.18)

Overall winner class 1 - Jackana (6)

Cruiser class 2
1 Tom Bombadil - Dave Williams (1.33.12)
2 Less Xpense - Steve Pearl (1.55.55)
3 2Farr - Jeff Speller (1.59.23)
4 Arbitrator - Helen Barker (2.02.06)
5 Super Q - Julian Barber (2.03.49)
6 Canders - Malcolm Hartigan (2.18.25)
7 Cassiopeia - Chris Petra & Chris Weeks (2.22.29)

Overall winner class 2 - Less Xpense (7)

Cruiser class 3
1 Rondo - Chris Fritot (2.04.15)
2 Matchless - Kevin Holden (2.25.18)

Overall winner class 3 - Rondo Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club website