Maylandsea Frostbite: races 3 & 4

With a light grey sky, high clouds and the sun looking to break through, the Maylandsea fleet gathered at the club slipway. With races 3 & 4 postponed on Feb. 8th due to torrents of horizontal freezing rain, the feel of a soft, cold breeze from the WSW was encouraging
The fleet appeared amazingly cheerful and revved up with no fear of being frozen to death and as the long legged Lorna wafted through the fleet returning from a girly night out! Jacko appeared unusually respectful, as Lorna is a fearsome crew when liquored up
The bacon butties and coffee were consumed, the course was set, and as the starting flag fell the breeze had built to 8 knots and the tide was setting on to the line with good pace. The fleet favoured the centre of the line and a good start was made all.
It must be said that it was a good Merlin day and with no way that Martin the leading Lasers could make time down the long run against the flow of tide, the outcome being Jacko and Lorna taking the two bullets and Martin two seconds.
Clive, ‘Laser’ failed to make his recently found starting form and falling into the second Laser position, finishing with a 5th and a 3rd.
It was good to see Ron and Paul, ‘Merlin’ making a good start and hanging on to the back of the 505 to finish 3rd. Sadly Ron’s toe strap failed depositing Ron in the drink, the pairing failed to start in race 4.
Dave Russell and Gary Jackson sailing a Lark, sailed a good race and with places changing and the wind being a little shifty always looked to be in the right part of the course.
Race team Trembath sailing a Topaz are upping their pace and are now to be seen flying a spinnaker and putting the moves together, looked confident on the windward legs.
All in all this was a good day to be out sailing on Maylandsea Bay. (No frost, no ice) The seals gathered off Lawling point (5 off) and the splendid sight of the hundreds of wading birds taking flight from the submerging mud and salting is a stunning sight; the sun breaking through the cloud and warming the spirits, the dense cold wind all made this a treat to be there.
Thanks for their help must go to the support crews and the race team at M.B.S.C.

With March 15th being added to the series there are three race days to come with two races per day and 5 races to count. The series is still open.
Next race day Feb. 22nd at 9:30 start
Full results and more info at www.maylandseabay-sc.org.uk/
Thanks to Philip Spillane for sending the photos
Overall:
1st Merlin Rocket Alan Jackson & Lorna Laval 4 points
2nd Laser Martin Tarling 6 points
3rd Fireball Martin Scarth & Tony King 13 points
4th Laser Clive Tarling 13 points