Day Two of the Frostie Series for the RS400s on Belfast Lough saw ideal sailing conditions that delighted participants and spectators alike. After nearly three weeks without sunshine, bright skies and a lovely westerly breeze breathed life into the event, drawing a fantastic turnout of twenty boats.
The fleet included a mix of experienced racers and newcomers, showcasing talent from 13-year-old Hugh Hutchinson to veteran Liam Donnelly. The race team kicked things off promptly, though the short starting line proved tricky; some competitors found themselves behind after the start.
As the race unfolded, Bob Espey and Mike Ferguson (1533) initially dominated. However, they faltered at the final downwind leg, allowing Donnelly and McCaig (1405) and Kennedy and Kane (1522) to slip in for the lead. Donnelly and McCaig clinched the victory, followed closely by Kennedy and Kane in second. Unfortunately, two boats were disqualified for missing the upwind gate.
A race start on day two of the RS400 Frostie Series on Belfast Lough
Race Two also faced challenges at the starting line, as many sailors crowded the committee boat, leading to an overzealous start. After the restart, the conditions improved, delivering exciting hiking opportunities. A collision occurred between two boats, but the details remain unclear. Ultimately, Espey and Ferguson finished first, with Kennedy and Kane in second and McLernon and Little (1316) taking third.
Several boats had retired by Race Three, but the steady conditions enabled a clean start. Newcomers Patrick Hamilton and Sam Kelly (1283) finished impressively in fifth, while Jocelyn Hill and Rowan Berry (741) took fourth despite the distractions of the previous night. The podium remained unchanged for the top three as Espey and Ferguson continued their winning streak.
Competitors are advised to prepare for colder weather, as an Arctic northerly is set to sweep in this Sunday. It’s time to break out the thermals and woolly hats!
Download results below as pdf file
