Icicle Series 2026 at Bough Beech Sailing Club - Day 1
by Nick Marden 4 Jan 13:49 PST
4 January - 22 February 2026
Bough Beech Icicle Series day 1 © Sarah Seddon
The 2026 Bough Beech Icicle Series got off to a cracking start on 4 January. As with much of the country, temperatures barely rose above freezing all day, and a fickle Force 2 westerly added to the chill factor. Despite the conditions, around 60 boats turned out for the two scheduled races, including a number of current and former class National Champions, ensuring close and competitive racing across the fleets.
In the first race for the 40-boat Conventional fleet, Neal Gibson's RS300 quickly established itself at the front and gradually pulled clear of the chasing pack. Gibson remained just ahead of George Smith's RS600 throughout to take first place on handicap. Second went to the Snipe of Matthew Wolstenholm and Jeremy Carter, who finished narrowly ahead on the water of the ever-consistent Wayfarer sailed by Guy Marks with Sam Bonniface crewing, which took third.
The Snipes of John and Liz Reed, and Lloyd Roberts with Emma Preen, also enjoyed a strong race, finishing either side of Sergio Messina's ILCA 7. John Clementson (Chipstead SC) was the leading visiting helm, sailing a Solo at the event for the first time.
The second Conventional fleet race was delayed by two general recalls as wind shifts caused bunching on the start line. In slightly increased pressure, the RS600s of Richard Bone and George Smith were able to trapeze into an early lead on the water, followed by Gibson's RS300. At the finish of a slightly shortened race, Marks' Wayfarer took the handicap win, with Gibson second and Roberts/Preen's Snipe third. Bone and Smith finished fourth and sixth respectively, with Robert Gorrod, the leading ILCA 7, in fifth.
In the Asymmetric fleet, four visiting Musto Skiffs—led by veteran skiff sailor Graeme Oliver (Medway YC)—lapped most of the fleet on the water, but were unable to save their time against some well sailed 2000s. Paul Cullen and Verity Hopkins dominated with two wins. Jonathan and Hayden Ching followed with a second and a third, while Jo Field and Annabel Larkin took third in the first race, with Matt and Ollie Larkin finishing second in race two. Mike Warwicker, crewed by Kate Fitzsimmons (RS200, Bough Beech SC), sailed consistently to record two fourth places.
Race Officer Richard Southern and his team did an excellent job in challenging conditions, not least a dazzling low sun shining directly along the start-finish line towards the Committee Boat. Thanks are also due to the rescue boat crews, and to the beach trolley party, who worked in increasingly difficult conditions as water dripping from wet trolleys froze on the slipway.
The Bough Beech Icicle Series continues on Sundays throughout January and February, with entries available either for individual days or for the full series.
Results so far:
Conventional fleet
Asymmetric fleet