Gibson Island Frostbite 2008

Light air ruled the day as 9 Penguins competed in the 2008 Gibson Island Frostbite. The  first two races were sailed in two knots decreasing to something less than one at the end of the second race. The race committee wisely postponed as the breeze which had been working around to the left finally filled in from the southeast at a blistering 2 to three knots. Del Walter was incredulous, “You never sail with heel!” When gravity is stronger than the wind heel the boat.

The scores reflected the difficult conditions. Only Bud Daily and Andreas Adam were consistently at the top with no race worse than third and one first. The next two boats, Bill and Barbara Lane and Scott Williamson sailing with Aubrey Barringer were involved in a three way tie for second place and Bill and Barb augmented their two firsts with an eighth;  Scott and Aubrey had a ninth to go with two second and two third place races.

David Cox came over from the shore to sail with daughter Sewell, won the forth race then had to go in early and still finished fifth overall. A forth or better in the last race would have earned them a well deserved second place. Outstanding sailing.

John Majane singlehanded to a horizon job in the second race but was unable to maintain this level in the other races.  Charlie Krafft and Matthew Chow sailed Rockhopper while Wooden Bucket remained in a curative state.

Monty Baker introduced Sean Carrie to the joys and frustrations of Penguin sailing. Sean sails to work every day in his Penguin. Barnes Johnson was the other singlehander and, as usual, showed some brilliant moments but, like the majority of the fleet was frustrated by the tricky conditions.

Thanks to Scott Williamson for organizing this event and to the fine efforts of Race Committee Terry May and Walter Mitchell who did an outstanding job by getting five races off in the very difficult conditions.

Paul