Frostbite Series 2009

Final Report

Not one of the most successful frostbite series with only three of the eight races programmed being sailed. Race 2 was abandoned when the wind died completely and Races 3, 4, 6 & 7 were cancelled due to too much wind.

The option of Course D to race in the reasonably sheltered waters adjacent to the Royal Naval Sailing Centre proved to be a valuable asset with races 1 & 8 sailed in this area.

Despite the lack of races the turnout was good with 14 boats taking part overall, 9 boats competing in races 1 & 5 and 6 in the last race.

Once again congratulation to Andy Cummins in his Laser for winning the series with 5 pts, followed by Dave Field & Rick Guy in a Bosun with 18 pts. Mark Goodenough & Graham Allen, also in a Bosun came 3rd with 21pts and took the prize for 1st PSC boat.

Prize Giving and a buffet took place after the race in PSC.

Our thanks go to the RNSC, the safety boat crews of the 1st Sea Scouts and Portsmouth University, also to all the helpers who are so essential in order to
run this event.

Yola Veck

With the last three races being cancelled, due to no wind or too much wind, at long last the sun came out with a good NW breeze of force 4/5 for the 8 boats competing in today’s race.

The course, starting from a line at Pile 97, produced a good beat to the club buoy located off the Gosport shore, a run to No. 3 buoy, with another beat up the Portchester Channel and a dead run to Pile 98 finishing on a beat to the line, twice round.

Once again Andy “Stan” Cummins in his laser led the race to finish first and retained 1st place on handicap. Laura Morgan sailing a laser radial was on the course site on the starting gun and lost valuable time returning to start but still finished second dropping to 3rd on handicap. Pat Law & Mike Banks sailed their Bosun extremely well to finish third on the water and 2nd on handicap.

Boats found the dead run testing but all but one stayed upright. However the RS400, sailed by members of Portsmouth University, spent a lot of the time under the water rather then on it and had to retire after the last capsize having been assisted by the safety boat.

Photographs by Peter Leach, a member of the 1st Sea Scouts and safety boat crew.

Yola Veck, OOD

Race 1 Report

Despite a gloomy forecast of Force 6 winds increasing by lunchtime accompanied by rain with Pile 98 recording a 12-knot gusting 20-knot South Westerly wind. Race Officer, Ken Bichard decided to use the option of Course D and race in the reasonably sheltered waters adjacent to the Royal Naval Sailing Centre and the area forward of HMS Bristol.

10 craft logged on but unfortunately the RS 600 had problems leaving the slipway and staying up right in the gusty conditions. 9 boats therefore were on the start line, some of which are shown above, photographed by Peter Leach, a member of the 1st Sea Scouts and safety boat crew.

A tussle at the start with Laura Morgan of Portsmouth University in her Laser Radial being taken out by RNSC Pat Law in his Pico. However Laura recovered well to sail through the fleet and finished second before handicap. As usual Andy ‘Stan’ Cummins in his Laser soon established a lead and finished first completing the shortened course of four laps (reduced from 6), but lost the race on handicap to Jay Whithead who came first and Brad Field second, both in Pico’s.

Despite testing conditions, the race was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. Reaching was fast and furious, beating very wet and strenuous. A few capsizes and congratulations to the two Bosun Crews who managed to stay upright. Despite this some even continued sailing around after the finish just for the fun of it.

The introduction this season of Course D, where the OOD can use his discretion to move the course into more sheltered waters will hopefully mean that unlike other years we will not have to cancel to often.

Our thanks go to the RNSC and Portsmouth Uni safety boat teams.

Ken Bichard & Yola Veck

Frostbite Series 2007

The six race series started badly with the first two races programmed being cancelled due to strong winds, to compensate the series was extending by two weeks and only one further race was lost.

A total of 14 boats took part in the series - 5 Victories (3 GRP & 2 wooden),
5 Bosuns, 2 Laser Picos, a Laser and a GP14.

For the 1st race there was some confusion on which side to leave No3 buoy but as all the fleet choice the same side – incorrectly – the result stood.

The 2nd race did not go exactly as planned - a west course start followed by a reverse course after the first two marks left some boats crossing the line after rounding pile 98 and some not, fortunately either way was OK.

The 4th race produced a horrible day with strong wind and rain but this did not put off the 7 boats who turned out – Mark Goodenough and crew Graham Allen started to race but as they couldn’t reef the bosun they were allocated and the centre plate was faulty and wouldn’t go down they gave up before the start. Allan Murrey and John Hughes, also in a bosun, started the race but had to retire because they were taking in too much water and sinking – safety boat to the rescue. The third casualty was John Lee in his GP14, whilst being towed to the start the tow line broke and his boat was damaged by one of the Pico’s, also being towed, then running back under jib the tide took him past the camber entrance onto the pile and rocks on the corner, resulting in another job for a safety boat.

In contrast there was practically no wind and glorious sunshine for the 5th race but a shortened course consisting of one windward leg was completed.

The weather was very kind for the last race of the series – although the forecast was no wind - a good breeze sprang up and the sun shone for the 7 boats taking part.

Our thanks go to the starting team - OOD’s Hillary Reed and her brother Geoff Hunt with the support of Allan Smith and Dave White (committee boat owner) – who gave up their time on Sunday mornings to get cold and wet aboard the committee boat in order to provide racing for the series. Thanks also go to the safety boat crews – Bob Stewart, Sarah Mantell and Robin Townsend.

Frostbite Series 2005

Full results via the links below.

Once again a lack of wind forced the cancellation of the last two races of the series. A total of 6 races were lost, 2 due to high winds and 4 due to no wind at all, the most number of lost races in living memory!

Portsmouth Sailing Club once again extends it's thanks to Ken Bichard and all at the RNSC for their support of the series in both facilities and boats. Ken was presented with a hip flask at the prize-giving as a token of the Club's appreciation.

PSC also extends it's thanks to the Victory Class for their members' interest and support of the 2006 series. With a new GRP version of the Victory due to hit the water, we hope this year's interest will see more Victories extending their sailing season next year and joining us in the 50th Anniversary series.

Finally a big thank you to those who helped run this year's series:

Bob Stewart and Sarah Mantell for crewing the safety RIB.
Keith Bostock and Yola Veck for their OOD duties.
As already mentioned, Ken Bichard and RNSC for the use of facilities, Committee Boat and Bosuns.
Bob Knox for his assistance on the RIB and the Committee Boat.
And lastly to Richard Hills for his continued stalwart support of the series.

Next year will the 50th annversary of the Frostbite Series and we hope to see this year's support continuing into this landmark year.

There will also be harbour club team racing starting in February organised by RNSC and PSC will be entering teams to support this new series.