Frostbite Racing

The 2014 Frostbite series continued last Sunday with 11 starters, plus an enthusiastic club member with a very early Christmas present in the form of a new RS Aero all packed up and not really ready to go.

The idea was that he turned up two hours early, unpack the boxes, ask a few experts where all the bits go and then enter the race. The reality was that the bits took a lot longer to sort and when they finally resembled a highly tuned racing machine, the smiling boat builders took their eye of the ball just as the wind decided to blow through the dinghy park and scooped up anything not bolted down!

Keith will be very grateful to an eagle-eyed Graham who did his impersonation of star goalie, Gordon Banks, leaping across the dinghy park to save the new Aero, which was about to launch itself off into destruction.

So after the entertainment, the first race got underway with a weather front to fit everyone's tastes. Vivaldi's Four Seasons would have been an appropriate backing as rain, sun, hale and even a few cats and dogs were seen on the horizon mixing it with the wind and gusts which claimed a few capsizes. Peter and Rhys decided it was time to turtle the Osprey and test the water temperature along with the newly tamed Tazar with Mark and Trish.

The Monkstone - Pendine - harbour course seemed a long way round at times, but the fleet persevered and eventfully Daniel Jackson on loan from Tenby (RS600) took the win, with Ben Roberts (Topper) second and Jo Musson (Topper) third.

For the second race, the wind was shifting around and OOD David invited new course suggestions from competitors, including a very wet Peter Bower in the Osprey, whose proposals were not printable, so the same course was agreed! At this point, the now fully built racing Aero made a rapid entry to the start line. However, consistent with young colts' behaviour, the new machine decided to show the new RS helm who was boss, and turned them over.

The rain then came down, the wind blew and the rainbows came out and just as the race started, it all slowed down and the boats merely floated round. Eventually, the wind picked up again and an enjoyable, but maybe cold and wet flotilla finished the race with James Hayden (Phantom) first, Julia and Paul Griffiths (National 12) second and Daniel Jackson third.

Thanks to David Plester and James for OOD and to Tom, Terry, Harry and Steve who provided safety cover. Terry was reporting seals in the bay during the racing and even one which ultimately followed them into the harbour.

AGM

Papers for the AGM to be held on Sunday, November 30, are being distributed shortly to give members an early reminder to consider issues that they wish to raise, and in particular to encourage volunteers to come forward for the new committee to help run the club next year.

Skipper's Mate