Frosty! “I don’t think so”

Sunshine and meaty squalls brought excitement/fear and a rapid opening of the Splat The Duck competition for 2008. Martin Scarth joined the fleet this week, front ended by Nigel Sheppard sailing a Fireball. Also we saw the return of home club sailor Kevin Whittle sailing a Laser and a second Hornet visiting sailed by Crystal Tips & Alistair. Also the return of Simon Sawyer sailing a Merlin, front ended by Ron (who now thinks he’s fit enough to crew).
Bill heading the race box set a course in Lawling Creek and with a SW 14 knots lumping 20, the fleet put to the water and it was clear very quickly that the shelter given by the club house and Maylandsea had lead the fleet into a relaxed state of mind as the fleet appeared to be struggling to gain control as they approached the start line.
The race box decided that too much excitement on the club veranda was not to be tolerated and undecided on who was and who was not over settled on the three boats that did return to restart rather than have a general recall.

This was clearly wrong as is shown by the photos taken at the time. But sa la vie it is unlikely that it altered the result (by much).

Dean and Rob (one of the boats that restarted) got back into the race very quickly with nippy spinnaker work in what was now quite a testing ride, beavered away to finish 4th. Martin (Laser) as always sailed well, maybe pushing the start a bit and removing some of the creases in his new sail, finished 3rd. Jacko and Lorna also restarted and were seen to be in the deepest of conversation for a lot of the race. The words “it’s freezing” came across very clearly as Lorna (sunny side up) hung over the bow to retrieve the spinnaker from under the stem. Jacko been a gent looked for a seal wearing a woolly hat (lost in the winter) finished 2nd. Martin and Nigel looked a little serious as talk of premature starters wafted around the slip. Martin and Nigel did have a testing day heightened with the disappearance of the race mark Stripy and the decision of the support boat to place it’s self a ¼ of a mile further down the creek from where it would have been. All boats finished with Martin and Nigel taking the bullet.
Notables : Kevin (Laser) returned, having dried out following last years dunking in the winter series, sadly opened this series’ Splat the Duck competition right out side the clubhouse, much to the enjoyment of the Sandhopper spectator audience. However for Simon and Ron losing time to go around a now submersed, hanging on the dagger board, Kevin was not an open option. Luckily Kevin was un-bruised and with encouragement from the clubhouse remounted and finished the race. As for the comments about Ron’s eyes been on stalks and Simons precision steering losing only nanno seconds.The pairing took a dipping on a (“I will talk you though it”, jibe). Mr Playle was also seen “looking for Jacko’s hat” in the waters.

Race 4 was a much more cautious affair; all competitors being on the same side of the start line. The tide had now flooded over the saltings and the breeze was easing down. For Martin and Nigel it was lets get on with it leaving the fleet for dead at the start, not to seen again and taking the second bullet of the day. Jacko and Lorna nearly started with the others but once more left a lot to be done. At the half mark almost got back in the race but failed to capitalize on gains of Lawling point and losing out, passing the marina to finish 2nd.

Dean and Rob battled on in the failing breeze and at times it looked like line honours may come to them as they sped past Jacko and made big gains on Martin in the Bay, but alas finished 3rd with Martin (Laser) 4th
This now brings us to the last race day in the series, on the 9th March at 11:30 with all to do and all to lose. It is hoped that the winds are fair to all and Ron’s dog finds something worthy to chew on. Full results

I would like to thank Peter Freshwater for the Photos

Coconuts and Frosties - Race One

Brilliant blue sky and a testing light E to S 4-8 knot breeze set in over Maylandsea Bay for what the club wish to be known as the Frostbite Series, and race one was set to start. But with a slight waft of Pinacolada, Pimms and sun tan oil drifting through the rigging, long nights, darkness and frost seemed a long way off.
Bill heading the Race Box team set an ‘in the bay’ course containing all the points of sailing and with a short delay for Lorna to finish her makeup and hair styling the fleet got stuck in. It was at this point that Bill’s plan of a running start took its first of the series casualties. Roars of laugher rattled out from the club veranda as the fleet, with less than a minute to go, tide on to the line, hit the panic mode of starting. Surprisingly it was Jacko and Lorna who won the start (just) with Paul Wilkinson (Laser) in close contact and even closer Martin Tarling (Laser). The fleet rounded race mark 1 mostly over lapped for the short hop to race mark 0, still overlapped where another bun fight of enthusiasm took place and they found themselves on the first windward leg across the club frontage (it is at this point that Bill’s wish to entertain the club veranda audience became clear). The fleet now spreading out and rounding race mark 2 burst out into the Bay on a tight three sail reach scraping past the salting point at the far end onto a more relaxed reach to race mark 4. The shifting breeze lead to much place swapping and a close race through the fleet with Jacko and Lorna taking the bullet.
To the left : Martin Tarling
It was a real pleasure to welcome back Dean and Rob sailing a rather smart Hornet, so new that the down hill start sailed by the Mayland wild west rodeo riders was too much pressure and it was resolved with a leisurely launch and a joining in after the start option was taken. However showing good boat speed pecked away very skilfully through the fleet to finish 2nd
Martin (Laser), with a brand new first time up the mast sail, still with all the neat creases in place, had his work cut out but not to be fazed with unfavourable conditions stuck to the task to take a very worthy 3rd

Race two stands testament to the sport of eyeball-to-eyeball dinghy racing. Bill (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it) much to the appreciation of the onward looking clubbies, left the start as before. The fleet appeared to join in with the spirit of the occasion including Dean in the new Hornet and it was race on.
It should be said that Jacko now in his late forties and having recently completed therapy with a behavioural etiquette therapist, a course designed by M Scarf to help sailors in awkward positions whilst on the racecourse, failed miserably. Appearing to have a game plan that failed before it had begun, launched the verbal starboard cry on the port fleet as the start gun fired (begged belief) the nearest of the fleet seeing Jacko’s Rocket travelling slowly along the start line passed both to the front and the rear; Jacko putting in a sloppy jibe and coming to face to face with the back of Ronet’s head and a disappearing Paul Gray, sailing a Kestrel, along with half the fleet.
Ron and Laura (who we have not heard much about of late) finding themselves leading Jacko brightened up instantly - this could be their day. Unfortunately someone forgot to put the centre plate down and on nearly rounding the first mark, slid sideways pushing Jacko and the remaining fleet out towards Maldon. But still in front and quickly getting a grip, headed up on to the beat. Covering Jacko on the next two tacks the number of shiny teeth between the ears began to grow. To the right: Roger walking the plank

I hate to say it, but with the shifty breezes you have to be sharp or lucky and in blink of an eye the Ronet’s had slipped down the order. Paul now with a healthy lead following a brilliant start was now up against the Hoover Manoeuvre Dean and Rob showing good boat speed and keeping Jacko covered, slowly sucked Paul in. On a downhill reach separated by only a few boat lengths disaster occurred as the two had sailed well high on the lay line and now bearing away found Jacko and Lorna at the Bay race mark. Dean and Rob sorted Jacko out regaining lead boat before Spit but could not make enough time up to finish 3rd
Paul sailed on well showing great concentration and was leading until the last reach from home when he appeared to lose a lot of space and time to finish 2nd
Jacko and Lorna it could be said “got lucky” but with the words “it’s never over till it’s over” repeated over and over took the second bullet of the day.
To the right: Deans new Hornet

This was a tough start to the series but in the superb conditions there is still time to enter as the series has two discards and four races to count.
Maylandsea Bay S.C. has its doors open and will welcome all to take part in this Frostbite Series.
Next Race Day Feb. 24th at 12:35

Thanks to Alan Wigg for the Pictures

Overall results

Things are looking good for M.B.S.C.

For this weekend high pressure and a good racing breeze is set to fall into Maylandsea Bay for race one of the Frostbite series. The club, due to fatigue and low numbers, stopped running this series some years ago. I think it is a very good sign that Maylandsea Bay S.C. now feels the time is right reopen the event. The home club fleet is a tad thin on the water with the racing fleet being keen sailboat racers from all around Essex. If I have got it right this is the only race series running on the Blackwater at this time and for the all-round sailor it is a welcome return to this venue.
Maylandsea has much to offer in the winter months being protected by Mundon spit against the northerly winds, offers a varied assortment of water conditions and with 15 race marks scattered around the Bay and Lawling creek there is lots of room for gains and losses, at both the front and back of the fleet.
The racing in the past has been full on, but sadly lacks new blood and the established pecking order seems to prevail. However, the word on the block is that a new hardened attack on the prize booty is to be launched. Also we here that Keith is to put up his good sail! And Ron is to spend real dosh with an aim to put Jacko and Legs “in their place” and what of the fireballers I hear the reader ask? Well it looks like Roger has teamed up with Edward, who is on a new lease of life and threatening not to be late, and it looks like that’s it for the Ballers, for the rest of them are clutching Bus passes and sitting in the bar. Chris Roberts (the nicest Phantom sailor I know in the Bay has now removed the Laser bow from his amidships and is ready to kick ass big time around the Bay and we wish him all the very best.
We cannot write a preview without a mention of Fatbatt who defies two bricks and anything you can think of, with an unwavering enthusiasm for sailboat racing. The bit about going around the corners only thwarts his love of straight-line boat speed, we wish him well.
What of the Merlins, Jacko and Lorna are not shining; Ron and Laura are letting boat maintenance slide. Simon and Pies await for a race that ends with the start as Simon starts better than he finishes!! Chris is still varnishing, but we live in hope.
It can be said that there is no lack of entertainment in Maylandsea Bay, if we can all start at the same time and sail the right course without hitting the mud this has the potential to be the best pre-Easter series for some time

Race schedule
10th Feb. races 1&2 start time 12:40
24th Feb. races 3&4 start time 12:35
9th Mar. races 5&6 start time 13:41