West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series - Day 2

Arctic Penguins Edie Rodgers and Poppy Armstrong on day 2 of the West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series © Natasha Armstrong

Seagull OCS on the start line on day 2 of the West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series © Liz Potter

West Kirby Sailing Club held the second day of racing in the Arctic Series on the marine lake on Sunday. The weather was indeed arctic and blowing 30 knots a few hours before racing was scheduled.

Several hardy sailors pitched up in the boat park to hum and ha about whether the wind would drop as forecasted. No boat covers were removed at this time and it looked like the Race Officer's job would be a simple one of hoisting the A over P.

Then, entering side-stage, appeared two penguins, suitably dressed for an arctic event in a hired club Feva. The penguins were very excited and bounced, jogged and jiggled like only young happy penguins do. Plenty of smiles and enthusiasm they had, and they were definitely going out, which guilted the rest of the mature sailors into committing themselves for a spell of chilly and windy competition.

The fleet were started en-masse, to keep the penguins happy. The kind RO gave the sailors an extra long start line, a reaching start and a Ziggy Zaggy course with no gybes, also to keep the penguins happy. The penguins sang loudly all the way round, even executing some skilfully tight turns on the water and little dances in between tacks.

The Albacores led the first lap, with John Carlin leading from Ian McLean. Ian's albacore continued to sail a straight course to the jetty, allegedly with minor gear issues. I suspect it was more to do with the tuna species the Albacore is named after, which is actually a tropical and warm water species, preferring 15 - 25 degrees as its aquatic habitat. This Albacore was clearly feeling the chill and needing a slug out of Ian's hip flask to propel it onto its next lap.

After a six and a half minute pitstop, it was back on its way, chasing the happy penguins, Edie Rodgers and Poppy Armstrong. Also ahead at this stage was the Sunbird of Keith Roberts.

John's Albacore was first home, but came 3rd on handicap, with the Laser Radial of Ioannis winning over Steve Ferrington in the Solo.

The drunken Albacore 7915 completed the course to finish in last place, but scored a fourth on handicap, proving that it's always worth persevering despite the chilling conditions, bits falling off and general boat recalcitrance.

Race 2 start on day 2 of the West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series - photo © Liz Potter

The second race was a repeat of the first, with the addition of heavy hail showers, rainbows and large squalls as the front passed through. The penguins were still laughing and won chocolate bars for the best mark roundings of the day and also winning both races of the Slow Handicap category. Another win for Ioannis Koutsokeras in the Fast Handicap, with Steve Ferrington in second and all to play for next week.

Sailing penguins on day 2 of the West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series - photo © Liz Potter

West Kirby Sailing Club Arctic Series Results after Day 2: