2026 Snowflake Series at Chichester Yacht Club - Day 4
by Mark Green 24 Feb 05:05 PST
22 February 2026
Torrential rain greeted competitors as they arrived for the seventh and eighth races of the Snowflake Series, though the forecast offered some encouragement. As predicted, the rain eased shortly before the first start, revealing a steady westerly breeze of around 15 knots. Earlier gusts in the low twenties had moderated, leaving conditions that were lively but manageable across all fleets.
Race Officer Michael Olliff set a trapezoidal course, with the committee boat positioned mid-channel towards Coperas and the windward mark laid near Birdham. With the tide running, early tactical choices centred on whether to seek relief in the lee of Birdham Marina or stay further out in the stronger breeze.
The fast fleet pressed the line assertively in Race 7 but got away cleanly. The medium fleet, slightly too eager, earned a general recall before settling into their restart. On the first lap, many boats sought the shelter of the marina to escape the tide, but the wind proved softer inshore. By the second lap, most competitors had adjusted, favouring the fuller breeze in the main channel.
Downwind, the conditions rewarded confident handling. Boats with spinnakers enjoyed fast, controlled planing runs, with the reaches providing occasional surges as gusts swept across the course.
During the second race, the weather transformed completely. The sun broke through, the breeze held fresh and steady, and the harbour delivered the kind of crisp, bright conditions that make winter sailing so rewarding.
The final event of the Snowflake Series will be on 8th March the race starts at 1400.
Fast Fleet - Race 7
The fast fleet produced a tightly contested corrected-time result:
1st - Jack Holden (RS400 1550) delivered a well-paced race to take the win.
2nd - Jon Gorringe & Lorna Glen (RS400 1555) followed less than a minute behind on corrected time.
3rd - Ben & Roz McGrane (Merlin Rocket 3739) completed the podium with another consistent showing.
Fast Fleet - Race 8
The steadier breeze in the second race reshuffled the order:
1st - Henderson & Videlo (RS200 1636) sailed an excellent race to take the win.
2nd - Ben & Roz McGrane (MR 3739) continued their strong day.
3rd - Jack Holden (RS400 1550) remained firmly in the leading group.
Medium Fleet - Race 7
The medium fleet produced some of the closest corrected-time racing of the day:
1st - Jonathan & Matthew Bailey (2000 2322) took the win with a well-judged sail.
2nd - Adrian & Roz Stell (2000 2212) finished just nine seconds behind on corrected time.
3rd - Thomas Twist (RS Aero 7 4683) secured third, keeping the Aero firmly in contention.
Medium Fleet - Race 8
The 2000s dominated the second race:
1st - Adrian & Roz Stell (2000 2212)
2nd - Jonathan & Matthew Bailey (2000 2322)
3rd - Iain & Sarah Yardley (2000 2204)
Slow Fleet Results
The slow fleet had a single competitor, but Charlie Hunt (RS Tera Pro 2392) delivered two tidy, well-executed races.