Frostbite Series Roundup | Royal Air Force Yacht Club

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Frostbite Series Roundup

Royal Southampton Yacht Club Frostbite Series, sponsored by Doyle Sails

The weather was the theme for this year's Frostbite Series in Southampton Water and on the first day of the series the weather gods were with us as after weeks of sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice. With little wind the sun came out and the SW winds returned to provide an ideal arena for the only racing in the Solent at this time of year. With a new format of two short races per day to ensure crews are back in the club for lunch and to hone boathandling skills, the series was well supported with circa 20 boats in Class 1 on the water every race day despite the forecasts which were awful. The 2nd race day proved to be the opposite of our initial race day. It was cold wet and windy with rain, sleet, snow and vicious gusts, conditions which are not for the faint of heart but prove that sailors are mad... but keen to be on the water.

It was the worst day and the rest of the series we were lucky - the sun appeared and the wind blew in all strengths to ensure we had good racing, but extremely gusty conditions prevailed which provided the sponsors Doyle Sailmakers with plenty of repairs, with a discount of course for series competitors.

Class 1 was very competitive with the line being attacked every race. On the final day the battle was to be between the HOD 35 Malice (Mike Moxley) and the J/109 J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp). Race 9 saw the J/109 post their third win of the series and to edge ahead of Malice. Race 10 saw gusts of 38knots and the majority of the class chose not to fly spinnakers, and the leaders chose to play it safe. The final beat saw J-Dream ahead of Malice, but whilst trading tacks both boats lost out to the J/109 Jumping Jellyfish (Dave Richards) for line honours. The J/109 was victorious in 2009 having finished 2^nd in 2008.

1^st J/109 J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) 14 points

2^nd HOD35 Malice (Mike Moxley) 17 points

3^rd Corby 35 NJOS (Tim Octon) 23 points

Article: Kirsty Apthorp