Alton Water Zhik Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series

Alton Water Zhik Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series - Day 4

by Jenny Pavey 1 Feb 2013 11:38 PST 27 January 2013

Gusts of over 25 knots on day 3 of the Alton Water Zhik / Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series © Emer Berry

The popular Zhik Seamark Nunn Frostbite Series race series recommenced after the previous week's postponement due to snowbound racing and rescue craft. A mild and windy day was met with some surprising reluctance from the sailors to rig and launch boats - they had taken the most alarming wind forecast to heart unlike the optimistic race officer who was playing the averages (and not sailing and not likely to get wet). The general forecast of 15 – 20 mph was an understatement with gusts of 25+ regularly coming down the course. A slightly modified Windward 1 / Windward 2 course was set and followed the Weymouth Olympic initiative of bringing the sailing closer to the spectators with an off-wind leg and gybe mark close to the club house and south shore in full view of the spectators.

Thirty six boats started with just 50% making it to the finish line at the end of the first race and more commendably, 16 boats stayed out on the water for the subsequent back to back race with 12 boats eventually finishing a thankfully shortened course. With an air temperature of 10⁰C and a water temperature at 1⁰C there was every incentive to stay upright and dry.

The Fast Class and Phantoms are now in a combined single start followed by the Lasers (all categories), the Medium handicap (includes predominantly Larks, RS200s, Finns and others) and Slow handicap (ranging from Topaz to Optimists). The four start format allows for easier management of any general recalled black flag start and reflects and balances the entry numbers.

Fleet by fleet action highlights

the RS800 showed some spectacular speed when upright but a capsize and gear failure was too much to contend with and they retired along with a 505 in a similar predicament. The Kestrel sailed well to record a good result in difficult conditions.
the Phantoms had very close racing at the front of the fleet whilst generally overpowered affecting the back end of the fleet along with unfortunate damage to one boat by wind alone that ripped up the front of the foredeck and subsequently broke the mast
for the Lasers this was a day to be sailing a Radial rig with some of the Standards imploring the Race Office to being allowed to downsize whilst retaining their series entry and result; no luck guys – you get to stick with what you entered with or re-enter!
the Larks and RS200s revelled in the conditions (along with one of the Finns) and they soon sailed through the earlier Laser starters. Spinnakers and asymmetrics were seen during the earlier part of the race but were a rarer sight as the day wore on.
a small but dedicated slow fleet completed their races with the lone Optimist seen bailing out on the beat, such was the amount of water he was taking on board just going to windward.

The forecast looks better for this week, at least regarding wind force if not air temperature and we look forward to seeing existing entrants and any new sailors out on the water. Three races are planned, two back to back from an 11am start and then one 'all-in' after lunch.

Race 3 Results:

Phantoms
1st Matt House (Alton Water SC)
2nd Robert Portway (Alton Water SC)

Lasers
1st David Reason, Standard (Alton Water SC)
2nd Charlie Linsell, Radial (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Graham Ireland, Standard (RHYC)

Medium Handicap
1st Matt Stearn/Kerry Ryan, Lark (Waldringfield SC)
2nd Stephen Videlo/Maddie Harris, Lark (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Harry Pynn/Gemma Cook, Lark (Waldringfield SC)

Slow handicap
1st Alistair Grant, Optimist (Alton Water SC)

Race 4 Results:

Fast handicap
1st David Hearsum/Ian Hearsum, Kestrel (Hickling Broad SC)
2nd Tony Power/Tom Dutton, 505 (Alton Water SC)

Phantoms
1st Matt House (Alton Water SC)
2nd Robert Portway (Alton Water SC)
3rd Ian Pavey (Alton Water SC)

Lasers
1st David Reason, Standard (Alton Water SC)
2nd Graham Ireland, Standard (RHYC)
3rd Charlie Linsell, Radial (Waldringfield SC)

Medium Handicap
1st Jerry Andrews, Finn (AWSC)
2nd Matt Stearn/Kerry Ryan, Lark (Waldringfield SC)
3rd Harry Pynn/Gemma Cook, Lark (Waldringfield SC)

Slow handicap
1st Barry Garrod, Topaz (Alton Water SC)

Full results including series results so far can be found at www.altonwater.co.uk.

Next week's races, 3rd February; Frostbite Race 5 followed back-to-back by Sub-Zero Race 5 and after lunch, catch-up race Sub-Zero Race 1.