Venue Bel Royal, Date Sunday 16th Jan 2012

Conditions: Sunny; Wind SE 15 to 20 knots

Air temp: 5 degrees, but with the wind chill, sub-zero and definitely

'Frostbite'!!!!

Sea 10 Degrees.

A good turn out for the conditions, considering a cold and light wind

forecast, with 6 competitors, and a hearty bunch of spectators, family

and friends.

After the coffee and the end of the Christmas mince pies were consumed

on the slipway, the wind shifted from an Easterly direction to South

East and picked up to the forecasted force 4 to 5. Amazed, the sailors

hurriedly rigged up big sails on 120 to 140 litre boards and a course

was laid across the wind, with a distance of about one half a mile to

the outer buoy, just off St Aubin's Fort.

A beach start ensued for the first race, and all got underway without

problem. Quick to get away was Rob Ayliffe and Rhees Evans, followed by

his brother Lloyd and Myles Winchester. Charlie White and Steve Mahoney

followed closely, but some rigging problems kept Steve from planing

until a good strength wind could be felt. To the first mark it was an

excitement of high speed cornering, where all but a few managed to get

away without a dunk. The extra time in the water surely sapping any

excess energy from the sailors. Some questionable tactics were in order

as well, with Myles Winchester colliding with Rob Ayliffe....was this

his strategy to get to the front?

Around the second mark and the field had spread out with the shock

treatment of a fall and wind chill factor, putting time and distance

between the sailors. Twice around the outer mark and back to the beach

was enough for the team of 6 to see a pattern emerge, with Island Games

sailor, Rob Ayliffe showing good form and Masters Wave Sailor Myles

Winchester, following closely behind.

A good race was sailed by Lloyd Evans who sailed well to produce a 3rd

followed by Charlie , Rhees and Steve M.

The second Race started from the beach, with a run (walk if you like) to

the water. Wind slightly increased if any, and all sailors showed good

board speed and committed rounding of the first mark. Some perhaps over

committed, with further near misses at the buoy, resulting in a stewards

enquiry, later dismissed. A great race was had by Lloyd, placing him in

second behind Rob Ayliffe and ahead of Myles, and brother Rhees gaining

a most creditable 4th on, undoubtably, the oldest equipment on the

beach, (this guy is one to watch in the future!)

Third race really had the sailors on their limit of endurance, the cold

being the key factor, some had lost any sense of feeling in their

fingers and holding on in the turns was hard. Myles W was heard to say

that he was on the limit with his sail and couldn't hold on if the wind

came up any more. It made good viewing, and excellent racing. Rob

Ayliffe scored his 3rd bullet and Myles managed to take back the 2nd

from Lloyd, whilst brother Rhees followed on a constant credit to his

ageing gear. Charlie and Steve showed signs of great speed between the

marks, but conditions were not kind.

The Results

1st Rob A  1 1 1

2nd Myles W 2 3 2

3rd Lloyd  3 2 3

4th Rheese 5 4 4

5th Charlie 4 5 5

6th Steve  6 6 6

The  above results are subject to Handicap at the discretion of the

sailing committee and form no basis for final series placing.

Well done to all those who took part and respect to you for the effort

you showed on the day.

Justin