Frostbite series gets underway at Welland Yacht Club

Welland Yacht Club staged the delayed start to their Frostbite series on Sunday.

The conditions were almost ideal wind wise for the first race but, with a forecast of it increasing during the day, that may have contributed to a reduced number of five boats taking to the water.

Gerri Van Haren, in the larger Phantom, was away first on the favoured port tack in the opening race while Alistair Mitchell in the Laser Radial accelerated to take second spot.

With clear air, Van Haren revelled in the stronger winds and pulled away but the conditions were too much for Richard Stedman in the Comet and he took the opportunity to retire from the race as he passed the clubhouse.

Van Haren continued to hold the lead and finished four minutes clear but, once the handicaps were applied, Mitchell took top spot by 12 seconds.

Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator in the Graduate were third with Eric Murray in the Mirror taking fourth place.

Four boats started the second race a bit apprehensive with the wind now increasing and the gusts becoming stronger as they tacked away from the club.

Van Haren soon took the lead which, in the faster boat, was never threatened and this time his advantage was big enough to win after the handicaps were applied.

Tack and Slator took second spot after finishing ahead of Mitchell and Murray following a close contest.