ILCAs in the Frostbite Series 2023/24 at Queen Mary Sailing Club - Week 5
by Guy Noble 23 Jan 14:10 EST
14 January 2024
With the prospect of storm Isha arriving on Sunday many of the regular QM ILCA sailors choose their beds instead of the thrills and spills of the frostbite series. They missed two great races - demanding both good boat handling and strong nerves.
It was fitting, in such volatile conditions, that the intrepid Neil Peters (AKA Stick Daring) also chose to join the fleet. Hearing that races at QM were very rarely cancelled Stick was looking forward to testing himself against the QM fleet. Unfortunately our resident Olympian, Mark Lyttle had injured himself that morning while picking up his dirty washing - a lesson for us all... don't pick up your dirty washing - well at least wait until after racing.
The full force of Isha didn't materialise until later in the day but 2 short exciting races were sailed in a 17 to 34 knots Westerly and more importantly, it was relatively warm!
Race 1
Guy Noble started mid-line and pushed out all the way left until just before the lay line. Andrew Whittaker tacked off too early and lost some ground but came back to the mark on a decent lift. Will MacDonald was sailing well in the full rig keeping the boat nice an upright. With Guy just ahead and the rest of the boats still quite close together it was difficult to see the exact oder of mark rounding. Guy built a good lead so didn't manage to see the action behind. A short 3 beat race ended Guy Noble, William MacDonald and John Curran.
Race 2
The increasing wind had clocked right so the committee boat end was now favoured. Keeping right Neil Peters got away using all his 90kg+ to great effect. The 3 ILCA6 were now by no means underpowered and were holding their own against the ILCA7s. Neil rounded first and those coming in from the left had to duck the whole fleet. This put Guy to the back but it was extremely close.
With everyone coping well with the bear-away, getting in the gusts and moving your weight aft was crucial. Neil decided to do the triangle first then had second thoughts. This put him way out to course left (the right looking down wind). He came back by the lee on a massive gust and only lost a few boat lengths maintaining the lead. David Casale, Will and several others were in a great position ready for another very physical beat.
However the right was by now heavenly favoured and holding your lane was critical. By the final leg Guy and Neil were neck and neck. Gradually Guy pulled ahead taking the win with Neil second and John Curran third.
A word here on the exploits of Neil Peters/Stick Daring. A few years ago he, with the help of a great on shore safety team, sailed single handed around Britain in an old Laser. It took 76 days and, at certain moments, the experience nearly broke him. Just before Christmas he published a terrifically vivid and gripping account of his journey. This is a great read and thoroughly recommended. You can buy a copy at https://www.stickdaring.com/
Full results at www.queenmary.org.uk/results-2024/frostbite-series-202324-results