Blue J.Ade tacks sharply in front of Rival Errant at the start of race three in the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club’s Heritage Group Frostbite Series. Rival Errant went on to win the cruiser class on handicap. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0537648)
A RECORD 18 yachts battled it out in race three of the Heritage Group Frostbite Series.
Yet again the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club were well catered for as sunny and clear conditions with a force five easterly wind met the competitors.
The fleet of 10 racers and eight cruisers had an unusual south-to-north start in the brisk conditions prevailing and several yachts were overenthusiastic at the line, with the race officer at the castle having to signal a general recall.
Ten minutes later, the start was clean and the fleet reached away towards Reffe Buoy and the Vivian mark near St Sampson’s.
Most of the yachts were still together at Vivian, making it a very crowded turn towards the east and the Brehon Tower buoy. Madcap (G. & J. Hamilton) for the racers surged ahead from here and was to dominate easily in that class.
Tomahawk (G. Wilson) led the cruisers, but was being pushed by newcomer to this class, Kreiz-er-Mor (R. Zabukovec), although the latter was not to feature in the placings.
The conditions seemed to favour the slower boats, especially on the normally more difficult windward legs with a lee-bowing tide an advantage to them.
Downwind, back towards Vivian again, several yachts opted to keep the big spinnakers below decks as the wind occasionally gusted to 26 knots.
The Melges 24 Madcap was first over the line in the racer class and scooped the top spot on handicap.
The little RS Elite, Vamoosh (R. & R. Dorey), crossed nearly 15 minutes later but came second on handicap – just two minutes behind on the corrected time.
Wicked Feet (C. Sharp) took third place on handicap – second over the line but four minutes behind the winner.
Tomahawk took the line honours for the cruisers, but had to settle for third on handicap.
It was the two slower and long-handicap boats that took advantage of the conditions with first-time-out Rival Errant (E. McDonaugh) claiming first place and Haven Gem (J. Squires) one minute behind but just a mere one second ahead of the third-placed Tomahawk.
In all, almost 90 crewmembers enjoyed the excellent and competitive racing.
The series has three more races to complete, with the next on Saturday 1 March at 11am.
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