Late start - but Chichester sailors make winter racing a success

Race officer Richard Anderton and the racing committee took every precaution to minimise Covid risks at the club. A video briefing was produced so competitors could be advised of the arrangements.

Limited by a high water just before 10am (requiring boats off the water by midday) and sunrise at 8am it was important everyone knew the instructions before arriving.

The weather meant an early start and with three races promised it was going to have to be a slick operation. However, with safety boats on the water by 8am, the course laid by 8.30am, fleets were launched at 8.40am and the first race started at 9am.

A total of 47 boats registered, and even with a few dropping out it was lovely to see so many on the start line.

The Frozen Toe was run in three fleets – Fast, Medium and Slow – with some junior sailors heading out to race for the first time. There were three juniors in the coached fleet.

The wind strengthened throughout the morning, gusting upwards as races progressed. The racers handled it well and it made for good sailing, with little aid required of the safety boat crews.

Race one got away cleanly with Steve and Sarah Cockerill taking their familiar position at the front of the fleet.

Zak Smith sailed a great race to win the slow fleet.

Significant gusts and shifts dominated and with the wind backing, the racecourse was re-laid for race two.

Harry Kennedy pushed the start line too hard in race two and had to restart, which also involved a quick dip to keep him on his toes.

Again, racing was dominated by shifts and gusts with a fair few competitors ended up in the water. The Cockerills were pushed hard by Tom Morris’ Merlin but held on to take the win in race two; Joshua James excelled win the slow fleet.

By the time race three started, a lot of competitors had headed for the bank. The rain had set in, and with the wind showing no signs of becoming any less shifty or gusty many liked the appeal of the shore.

Those that continued to brave the conditions were rewarded with good racing and fast reaches.

Charlie South got the better of the medium fleet while the Mirror of Effie and Sarah Grant rounded off the morning in fine style taking the win in the slow fleet.

Overall winners of the fast fleet – and the event as a whole – were the Cockerills in an RS400. Second in the fast fleet was was Tom Morris in a Merlin Rocket, third William Warren and Megan Pascoe in a Merlin Rocket.

Winner of the Medium Fleet was South in his Laser, second Andy Palmer-Felgate in an RS Aero 5, third Lucy Boreham in a Europe.

In the Slow Fleet Smith won in a Laser 4.7, second was Joshua James in a Topper and third the Grants in a Mirror.

Thomas Knight in his Optimist, Tobias Vowles in his Topper and Ben Wragg in his Optimist competed in their first Frozen Toe.

CYC said congratulations to all the winners and well done to everyone who took part and volunteered.