Alton Water 2016 Fox's Marine and Country Frostbite Series - Day 8

Exciting racing for the asymmetrics on day 8 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Emer Berry

I think there's still a boat here somewhere on day 8 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Tim Bees

A gusty mark rounding on day 8 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series © Tim Bees

So, to the penultimate weekend and overnight gales on Saturday and a forecast of 25+mph with gusts of 40mph from midday for Sunday's racing. Perhaps a couple of positives in that it was dry and the temperature was an unseasonal 14 degreesC.

With a smaller throng than usual to watch the marks being laid pre-briefing and with even fewer people changed and boats rigged the question being asked as the race officer came ashore was "is racing on then?".

A simplistic answer of "yes" was met with some surprise but the centre staff were satisfied they could provide the necessary safety cover with 5 double-crewed RIBs being made available and with the race team confident that they could run a race (provided they had some entrants) then it was as they say in Thunderbirds "go".

The Centre staff and Race team's confidence seemed to infuse the competitors with some enthusiasm and the early threat of combined starts if there were not enough for five separate fleets was not enforced for the first race with all five starts being warranted.

With the wind from the WSW the challenge was to set a sailable course with room to manoeuvre around the leeward and gybe marks for the expected accidents and early baths. With Giles Scott (or rather Giles and Scott) in the pin end boat and their pre-occupation with their tackle (!) sorted, racing got underway on a starboard biased line on time and with the incentive to have racing wrapped up before it became really windy. From the start gusts of 30mph came down the course giving some interesting sailing and opportunities, with the safety fleet being kept busy. Those who manage to remain upright had some spectacular moments and impressed those watching from the shore.

With some deciding one race in those conditions was enough, the second race of the day was 'all in' with all class flags being flown together at the warning signal, the intention being to get everyone underway and sailing for a short race before or rather as the wind increased as predicted. A re-set and fair line gave room for an expanded fleet start and in the near survival conditions it was interesting to see which boats came out on top... the 420 taking the initial lead with a Lark and ever present RS200s following behind while the larger (over-sailed) boats such as the Phantoms struggled.

The safety boat crews were kept busy on day 8 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series - photo © Emer Berry

Fleet by fleet, with predictions for the series:

Fast
In a smaller fleet than usual and with the new RS300s staying in their wraps awaiting better weather before their launching ceremony, it was left to the Finn of Will Patten to take two wins beating the Phantoms into submission. All good practice for the Finn Inlands at Alton Water in April.

Asymmetrics
This week's champions in the Asymmetric fleet were Ed Gibbons and Rebecca Bines in their RS200, on the day collecting two wins, taking them up to 4th place overall and a late bid for a podium position.

Lasers
There were close aggregate scores in this fleet on the day with the Radial of Harry Wallhead coming out on top. Overall the honours could still go either way with next week still to sail. Will it be a Standard or (new handicap) Radial that takes the honours?

Medium
Two Lark helms together in one fast Lark was a way to the front and they actually led and won the two lap race on the water. The 420s succumbed to the conditions with an early bath and a tow ashore for one of them.

Slow
Honours were even here with a win apiece for the Cadet and Topper. It never ceases to amaze as to how much water a Topper at speed can push aside.

Overall
It certainly looks as though a Brightlingsea boat will be taking away the overall championship with just four points separating the leading RS200 (Asymmetrics) from the Merlin Rocket. (Fast) with the leading Laser in fifth just behind the first placed Medium fleet Lark. All close and a good spread across the fleets apart from the first Slow fleet boat, an RS Feva, back in 28th position.

Provisional race by race results and overall fleet placings here.

The photos probably tell a better story of the day, with contributions from our regular photographers Tim Bees and Emer Berry. A further collection of Tim's Series photos can be found here and there are others on the Alton Water Sailing facebook page.

Dismasted but still smiling on day 8 of the Alton Water Frostbite Series - photo © Stewart Berry

Race 15 & 16 Results: