The fleet head south from the start of race four of the Frostbite Winter Series. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0922456)

A westerly breeze of about force three or four with bright sunshine greeted the 22 yachts as they gathered at the start line just off the castle, but the boats were about to face rain and hail storms, squally winds and visibility that at times went down to just a few hundred metres.

Fifteen yachts made up the racer class with an additional seven cruisers all jostling for position at the line for a north-to-south start.

The over enthusiastic Blue Jade (A. Clark) and Moojo (R. Martel) were both well over the line as the gun was fired, both having to return for a restart.

Meanwhile, the lightweight Melges yachts led the fleet towards the first mark at Anfre beacon with Tomahawk (G. Wilson) and Busker (S. McKerrell & B. Parkin) showing the way for the cruisers.

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