Manx Sail Racer

Thanks to Ralph Kee for the report and Jerry Colman for the image.

For the first time in several years the island’s sailors had the choice of Boxing Day ‘Sales’ or Boxing Day ‘Sails’, thanks to Manx Sailing & Cruising Club’s Boxing Day Frostbite Regatta at West Baldwin Reservoir.

Whilst the wind would have been off the scale for sailing on the sea, conditions were about as good as it gets in the sheltered Baldwin Valley with a moderate breeze, interspersed with the usual icy gusts and inexplicable calms.

A mixed fleet of twelve boats started the single race, of about and hour, for the S E Quayle Cup. After an excellent start this reporter (Laser) paused for a brief swim, meanwhile the leading pack of Andrew Dean (RS 200), Dave Batchelor (RS 200), Mike Pridham (Laser) and Simon Pressley (Laser) seemed to get clear and be sailing in their own wind, but during a long race many things can go right or wrong.

Dave Batchelor, sailing in a brilliant lift up the edge of the lake, started to slow: fearing imminent gear failure at the end of the upwind leg was about to retire when he realised that he had been transplanting the reed beds with his centreboard.

Simon Pressley also dropped out of the leading pack after a spill, allowing Ralph Kee and the fast improving Angus Jolly in a borrowed Laser to slip through. Even Mike Pridham gave in to a capsize, making it five out of five for the Lasers!

The only competitor not appearing to make any mistakes, Andrew Dean and daughter Charlotte, were the first on corrected time with Mike Pridham a minute behind and Angus coming in third. A special mention to the juniors who took part, the youngest being 10 year old Ben Batchelor competing in his first Frostbite.

Thanks to Ian Quayle for OOD, Jerry Colman, Sarah and Lucy Hendy for manning the safety boat and to the many spectators who turned out to watch.

Next racing will be on Sunday 8 January 2012, start time at 10am.

Full Results:

1. Andrew Dean/Charlotte Corlett (RS 200)
2. Mike Pridham (Laser)
3. Angus Jolly (Laser)
4. Dave and Emily Batchelor (RS 200)
5. Ralph Kee (Laser)
6. Simon Pressley (Laser)
7. Ben Batchelor (Tera)
8. Juan Hendy (Radial Laser)
9. Daniel Roberts/Kristian Cowin (Fireball)