Frostbite! Disappointingly warm southwest breeze on final day

The final two races were sailed on a post lunch tide in conditions that could only be said to be disappointingly warm with a soft southwest breeze, not really in keeping with the splendid nut removing northerlies that have been rattling through the dinghy park and keeping the winter sailor revved up.

The big surprise of the day was the return of Keith Fedi sailing his newer all singing, dancing Finn.

For Jacko this was a goodly sight to see as more than a few seconds rarely separates the two, with the racing never being over till the last windward leg. It is usually down to the last race winner taking the series title. This battle has gone on for many years.

It was David and Ron, ‘Fireball’ narrowly getting away with an early running down the start line on a port tack start but heading up with speed and blasted off on the dropping of the start flag. Dean, now sailing with Phil, (Mayland crew refugee) and with Malcolm and Ian, ‘Laser 4000’ in close pursuit.

It was short leg to the first mark rounding of 0 and as Jacko and Lorna reached the zone Keith made his first returning verbal barrage of what may have been featured on the balcony in the Muppet Show, with the old boys nodding heads, mumbling and shouting requests that had already been surrendered, but to no avail and the two old competitors sailed on past the mark. Keith still ranting as they tacked to the short return reaching leg only to start more verbal outtakes as he redefined the over lapped to windward rule!

All a bit sad and unnecessary in a series that has been sailed in the best of possible taste “till then”.

However it was not nearly so dramatic as Dave and Ron having lost the lead to Malcolm and Ian, sailed past Spit Nav. mark to the wrong side, taking Terri and Dave, ‘Fireball’ with them, causing as much verbal outgoing between the two Fireballs as Keith on his own at mark 0, and the fleet had only passed three marks thus so far!Dean and Phil, ‘Hornet’ kept cool as all around them appeared in chaos and even when a slight bumping occurred at a mark with Keith, showing signs of stress and failing to give sufficient room (oddly the only word not spoken all day) kept a cheery face and stuck to the task of beating up Jacko on time. Phil worked hard in yet another new crewing post and now knows more about changing boat than most and the pairing finished with two 4ths to be 5th overall.

Jenny Ball ‘Laser Radial’ has been a credit to the fleet finishing all races with 3rds, 4ths and 5ths always looked comfortable on the water to win 1st lady helm and 4th overall.

Dave and Ron have not made it too easy looking and have survived some heart stopping moments, boat damage, body abuse and ear bendings, but have supported the club bar above and beyond reasonable expectation, finishing with 2nd and 3rd in the score line to be 3rd overall.

Peter Playle ‘Laser’ DNS on the last day has had a well-sailed series with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th to finish 2nd overall by four clear points, battling with fellow Laser sailor Martin resulting in close racing, the sale of his Laser and the purchase of a Solo for the new season. We wish him the very best.

Jacko and Lorna went to it like a ferret up a drainpipe and show good teamwork and an understanding of laidback sailboat racing in all conditions with a competitive slice of the Jacko jam pot to be 1st overall.

It should be noted that the MBSC Race Box do send in the online returns which is developing at a good pace like it has never done before. The PY is unlikely to stay still for a year at a time and suggested numbers may well be used in the next series.

A prize giving was held following the last race where Philip Spillane, club commodore, spread the prizes and thanked the countless club members that have endured a cold winter to run the Frostbite series, which in turn keeps the club alive. Thanks were made to the visiting sailors whose support, enthusiasm and love of the sport make the whole running of this series a worthy and valued thing to take part in and host. The club is a lesser place when you all leave.

Thanks to Jan Nuttall for sending in the photos

More info at http://www.maylandseabay-sc.org.uk/

Overall Results
1st    Alan Jackson and Lorna Laval    Merlin                 5 Points
2nd   Peter Playle                                Laser                16 Points
3rd   David Islin and Ron Suffield        Fireball              20 Points
4th   Jenny Ball                                   Laser Radial       21 Points
5th   Dean Saxon and Rob/Phil            Hornet               22 Points