Trophy share-out provides warming end to Frozen Toe series

The Frozen Toe series at Chichester Yacht Club continued to live up to its name with the coldest day yet '“ with ice and snow and a temperature of minus one.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Dec 2010, 12:04 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:51 BST

A ten-knot northerly breeze made it feel even colder for the last race of this successful new winter series.

Race Officer Mark Harper set a long windward/leeward course for the fast and medium fleets. This allowed the asymmetric boats some good downwind sailing, while the Lasers welcomed some close fleet racing.

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In the fast fleet, winners were Brain Earl and John Mortimer, yet again sailing away in the Javelin. Second were R Buchanan and G Revell in a Scorpion, third Nick and Roger Elliman (RS400).

In the medium fleet, Charlie Porter in a Laser had a close race with Nick and Biddy Colbourne in the GP14, with the Colbournes finishing just ahead on the water and first on handicap.

Tobias Hamer had a good race in his Laser to come in third.

In the slow fleet, 12 youngsters braved the conditions. The Oppies were pushed down the fleet by some of the faster boats, with Ross Watkins taking an excellent first in his Topper with Toby Schofield second in a Laser 4.7. Third were Abigail Bentley and Jessica Breach in a RS Feva.

More than 80 boats participated in this great open series, with sailors from Chichester joined by others from across the south.

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The slow fleet series was notable for a majority of juniors, most new to racing and many sailing in every race despite the freezing conditions.

Overall fast fleet winner was the Javelin of Brian Earl crewed by David Earl or John Mortimer (CYC). Second were Nick and Roger Elliman (RS400) (CYC) and third Luke Mapley in a Blaze (Felpham SC).

Medium fleet winners were Nick and Biddy Colbourne (GP14) (CYC) ahead of Mark Harper in his Finn (CYC) and Derek Jackman in a Solo (CYC). Fourth was Eric Sharrad in a Laser (Pagham).

In the slow fleet the winner was Toby Schofield in a Laser 4.7 (Felpham SC). Runners-up were Paul and Jack Fisk (RS Feva, Emsworth SC), third Lucy Mellers (Optimist, CYC) and fourth Julia Mellers (Optimist, CYC).

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A new trophy made by Mark Harper was presented to the overall winners after a complex formula was used to derive who that was. Nick and Biddy Colbourne (CYC) lifted it after beating Toby Schofield (Felpham SC) into second place.

Thanks went to Steve Cockrill and the team at Rooster Sailing for supporting the prizegiving with the some very appropriate winter clothing of Rooster hot socks, beanies and neck gaiters.

Chichester YC’s Snowflake series starts this Sunday at 10am.