Icicle Series at Highcliffe Sailing Club - Day 3

Day 3 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Stephanie McCormick

Day 3 of the Icicle Series at Highcliffe © Stephanie McCormick

Sunday dawned bright and icy and 27 boats set out for the 3rd day of Highcliffe Sailing Clubs Open Icicle Series. With clear blue skies and blue harbour waters, the backdrop was stunning, but today the series was living up to its name as the wind chill cut deep. The crackle of flapping sails filled the air and with 12 knots of wind, conditions looked promising for some good racing.

The race team set a trapezium course, the NE wind required a start heading up towards Christchurch Harbour Hotel with a short beat leading into a Long run up to Hengistbury Head.

Race 1

As the hooter sounded for the start of race 1, the fleet spread far and wide. 3 boats tacked left and headed in wrong direction, the race team watched in amazement as they continued to complete the entire first race, despite meeting the rest of the fleet coming in the other direction. Sadly 2 competitors were valued Highcliffe sailors who had arrived early and studied the course dutifully, only to find out later that it was the previous race and had not yet been updated. Sorry gents!

Once again, as on the last day, Jack Arnell, Finn, Christchurch, was leading from the start. John Heyes, Finn and Ray New, Finn, Christchurch, were behind. Arnells' lead increasing with every lap.

Tactics were varied but only Arnell was cutting very close in to the end of the harbour wall as he headed back up towards the start line at the end of each lap.

The latter half of the pack saw more change in positions as some boats lost ground at the upwind mark.

For the entire 3 laps there was no touching Arnell and he maintained a significant lead, as he crossed the line to finish he looked behind to see his nearest competitor, and it wasn't clear who that was. The joy of handicap racing,, is that you can't always be sure whose going to take the points when the handicap is applied. At the end of the second race, Heyes crossed 37 second later but it wasn't quick enough to keep second place as John Challener, Mudeford, had quietly and efficiently sneaked his Laser just behind and took second in the corrected results.

Race 2

By the start of the second race the wind had clearly shifted coming from a more North Westerly direction. The race team moved the first mark further out into the harbour creating a longer beat.

Initially it felt as though the wind had dropped just a notch or two as the hooter sounded, however it was just temporary and quickly filled back in. This time all boats were racing the same course and the majority of the pack headed straight up in the direction of Mudeford SC. As the line of boats snaked around on to the run there were 5 Finns at the front of the pack with the same 2 leaders, Arnell and Heyes having their own private competition. Simon Moss and Roddy Steel, Keyhaven Finns, were once again sailing close together, (think we'll check for a tow rope next time!!), but despite finishing less than 60 seconds apart, they were separated in the placings by another of Mudefords secret weapons, known locally as Tim Reid, in his Laser.

At this point Highcliffe would like to welcome new member Ben Green, Laser, who saved the club from total oblivion and was the only Highcliffe sailor in the top 10.

The final day of the series is set for 22nd February at 11.00 am. If Jack Arnell is competing, the winner may be no surprise, however the other placings could still be to play for.

Free to Highcliffe members, non members welcome for a nominal fee of £1.

Results after Day 3: (six races, 2 discards)