Bosun Bob's RS400 Frostie Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club - Week 3

Sun 18th Nov was the third day of Belfast Lough's RS400 Frostie Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in what has become the biggest double-handed fleet in the country winter racing with 22 boats on the water and three 420s joining the fun as well.

The conditions were absolute peach with 11-18 knots through the day with an Easterly direction - including some 30 degree shifts - providing some swell, giving epic conditions for these need-for-speed power-hungry boats and sailors to provide close, fast, place-changing sailing.

The first race the fleet were so keen Gerry our calm OOD had no option but to pull back the fleet due to their indiscretions and go with a black flag. Second time they got away in a fresh breeze coming from Scotland providing hiking conditions in gusty/shifty conditions. Dr Bob, Sam Pickering, Paul McL were in the hunt on the first lap but with big gains to be made on the downwind legs other boats came into it making exciting racing. In the end Dr Bob held on after a late charge last downwind from Barry McC and Bosun Bob Hastings to come in second and third.

The second race got away first time and Sam Pickering lead from Dr Bob and Hammy Baker. By the second lap there was still nothing in it among the top ten and on the last downwind leg Barry McC called the last gybe layline just right to come through for the win over Sam and Dr Bob.

The third and final race got away first time again (for the third start, according to the OOD, all boats hitting the line was a sight to see) except for an individual recall for the over-keen Dr Bob. Chris Penney lead with Mr D'arcy and numerous others in hot pursuit in strengthening conditions allowing full planing.

At the bottom Barry McC, Chris Penney, D'arcy and Dr Bob making a heroic recovery all lead at various stages, but in the end Dr Bob got it for second win of day, followed by Barry McC and Chris Penney.

Paul McL still leads the series after some boat trouble today breaking wing-wang in two races but for the third stole a boat from an Olympian and even being late came home eleventh to keep just ahead of Olly & Tiff and steady-eddies D'arcy & Ginge in third with first discard in play.

Best weekend so far racing in superb conditions for all concerned with numerous passers-by on the shore commenting at the sheer number and speeds of the RS400s racing only 200 metres from the shore.

The fourth weekend continues on Sun 23 November with notions of certain Bell club members from host club interested in getting a boat to join the fun: we could soon be hitting 25 boats!

Series Results after week 3: