This Is Guernsey

IN EXCITING and boisterous sailing conditions, a trio of Melges class yachts led all the way to the finish line in the racer section of the Heritage Group Frostbite Series. Only two of them, however, would feature in the results list after the handicap adjustments while in the cruiser section it was a day for the slower and long-handicap yachts to feature.

Seventeen boats in all appeared for the fourth race in the series, organised by the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club.

Strong and gusty winds promised a testing sail for all the yachts, 10 of which were in the racer group and seven in the cruiser section.

Despite the wind, the sea was relatively flat, especially near Guernsey’s east coast, and the three very quick Melges 24s were soon showing the way around the Little Russel.

There was a slight hold-up at Terres Point, the first mark, where, sheltered under the cliffs, most yachts lost the wind as they struggled to round the mark together.

The traffic jam soon sorted itself out, however, and the three Melges - the Hamiltons’ Madcap, Chris Sharp’s Wicked Feet and Simon Henning’s White Rabbit - each hoisted their kite and sped away downwind towards Jethou.

Richard Babbe’s Dreamtime, John Falla’s Banjaard and the Doreys’ Vamoosh all did well to stick close to them.

Spinnakers were difficult to control in the conditions but those yachts that hoisted them seemed to gain a significant advantage over the others.

It was Madcap that took line honours and first place on handicap with the similar boat, Wicked Feet, next over the line but squeezed into third spot on handicap.

Banjaard split these two to take second on handicap and White Rabbit, although third over the line, had to settle for fifth place behind Vamoosh.

The seven cruisers had a shorter course to sail and Gordon Wilson in Tomahawk led the way followed by John Frankland in Altair with Stuart McKerrell and Brian Parkin close up in Busker.

In these brisk conditions, the slower boats were not far behind - Mark Dunster in Dark Horse bravely hoisting his spinnaker for the tricky run to Jethou and gaining some advantage.

The wind became very squally for the return leg and the heavy gusts caused some problems.

Busker had her genoa ripped out of the foil but still managed to sail the course under mainsail alone, albeit forced out of the placings.

Tomahawk and Altair crossed the finish line just seconds apart but both ended down the list on handicap.

It was a tortoise-and-hare result as the long-handicapped Dark Horse claimed first place with David Herschel’s Glenfruin second and John Squire’s Haven Gem third - each taking good advantage of a course well suited to it.

Ted McDonaugh in Rival Errant came fourth on handicap - just a few seconds behind the placings.

After four races, the overall series results now show, in the racer class, Banjaard (J. Falla) in first place, Glory Days (M. Huntley and J. Hunt) second with Vamoosh (R. and R. Dorey) and X-Celerator (S. Morris and M. Ozard) third equal.

For the cruisers, Glenfruin (D. Herschel) holds first place, Dark Horse (M. Dunster) second and Tomahawk (G. Wilson) third.

The penultimate race in the series, number five, is scheduled for Saturday 10 March, starting at 9.30am.

Article posted on 1st March, 2007 - 12.00am