Frostbite Series 2025 at Neyland Yacht Club - Overall

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day © Gavin Sims

Mild March temperatures and easy going neap tides greeted the sailors for the final day of racing of the Frostbite series at Neyland Yacht Club, yet again, though, with the wind blowing from the east.

The course for the day was set as a port hand triangle with a downwind start from the club line, first a run to a dropped buoy within the moorings, then a reach across the channel to a dropped buoy to the east of Dockyard Bank post, a beat to a dropped buoy between the club line and Batts buoy before the final broad reaching leg to cross the line.

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

Division 1 were first away, twelve starters for the day, in a patchy 4 to 6 knots. The foiling Moth of Simon G was first to start dipping inside at the pin end, but with insufficient wind to raise onto his foils was enveloped by the fleet as they reached the first gybe mark. On the reach to the leeward mark Alan G in his Dart 18 pulled clear ahead, but the pack was very tightly bunched as they began the beat.

Geoff T on his Supernova crossed to the left immediately and found more breeze on the north side, hiking all the way to the windward mark, completing the first lap 30 seconds in front of the quicker Dart 18. A further 40 seconds behind were Keira and Simon in the 29er and Vaughan and Paul in their Wayfarer, different sailing styles required in each.

The pack, still closely intertwined, followed a further 30 seconds later. Over the following two laps Geoff extended his lead, irrespective of lighter phases or not across the course, taking the race on corrected ahead of Vaughan and Paul in their Wayfarer in second and Eloise C in her ILCA 6 in third.

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

Division 2 started once the faster boats were clear, evidence of their winter coaching sessions evident in them all being up to speed and crossing the line as the hooter went. The three Teras held onto the transom of Dylan in his ILCA 4 running to the first mark, but he pulled away, as expected on the subsequent reach and beat and following two laps.

The Teras remained bunched together for the majority of the race, the Pro sized rigs of Anwen S and Liam F finishing ahead of Isabelle N. On corrected the fastest and slowest in the division, Dylan and Isabelle, were joint first, with Anwen S taking third and Liam F fourth.

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

For the second race of the day, the last in the series, Division 2 started first. Again the youngsters were on the line at speed on the hooter and sailed the first run close together, in formation with windward heel and sails well eased.

Dylan in his ILCA 4 eased away from the Teras on the reach and subsequent legs but for this race Isabelle N in her Tera Sport managed to keep ahead of the two Tera Pros, holding them at bay through the very light patches on the final beat of the 3 laps. No tie this race - Isabelle N first, Dylan W second, Liam F third and Anwen S fourth.

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

Division 1 too got away cleanly for the final start of the series. Simon G in his foiling Moth was again very much displacement sailing and aiming for the inside track at the pin end, only Roger C in his Vareo got a better start, soaking away from the tightly packed fleet close behind on the first half of the run. The RS200 and 29er sailed their angles, gybing close to the north shore on this first run, but the wind was a little stronger on the direct route to the first buoy leaving them behind the pack on the reaching second leg.

Again, Geoff T was sailing well in the conditions and was soon clear ahead once beating, slowly extending away throughout the remainder of the race, but the 29er of Keira and Simon just pipped him to the line after joining all the dots on their final lap. Alan G in the Dart 18 was third to finish but would suffer on handicap.

On corrected time Geoff T took the win for the second time that day, Rob B in his Wayfarer took second with Alec D in her classic ILCA 6 in third.

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

With racing finished for the day a steady 7-9 knots filled in from the ESE across the river, enticing a few boats to make the most of it in the sunshine.

Thank you to the volunteers - Paul Harries and Rebecca Bell running the racing from the starting hut and Alun Lloyd, Rob Boltman, Steve Rich and Gavin Sims for providing safety boat cover.

Out of the twenty planned races for the series fifteen had been run, one missed due to insufficient wind, and four due to gales.

Overall, in division 1, the winner of the series was Eloise C (ILCA 6), second was Geoff T (Supernova), third was Alec D (ILCA 6). In division 2 the winner was Isabelle N (Tera Sport), second Anwen S (Tera Pro), third Dylan W (ILCA4). On the same week as International Women's Day it is clearly the women leading the way in the dinghy racing at Neyland YC.

Club website: neylandyachtclub.co.uk

Frostbite Series at Neyland - final day - photo © Gavin Sims

Division 1 Results:

Division 2 Results: