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Freds Big Toephy
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History
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The 2015 season Ice breaker turned out to be just that, with the top three places being taken by boats other than Roger Stollery's superb Ice design, however to give the result now would be jumping ahead.
The weather forecast was to be quite frank wrong, instead of the predicted 15 mph gusting to 25 mph we were greeted with some beautiful winter sunshine with light and fluky winds, the sunshine was most welcome the winds less so. The assembled skippers were in good spirits and the entry list read like the who's who of UK Footy racing the only notable exception being five times previous winner and last years champion Rob Vice who was sadly absent on baby sitting duties. In the early light winds Races 1 to 4 the the Just'in rigged Fat Boy's of the two Abington Park Peter's, Jackson & Shepherd were hard to beat, however both had difficulty picking the right rig for races 5 to 8 needing to drop down to B's where the Ice and Supabug skippers could continue with larger A rigs.
The weather forecast was to be quite frank wrong, instead of the predicted 15 mph gusting to 25 mph we were greeted with some beautiful winter sunshine with light and fluky winds, the sunshine was most welcome the winds less so. The assembled skippers were in good spirits and the entry list read like the who's who of UK Footy racing the only notable exception being five times previous winner and last years champion Rob Vice who was sadly absent on baby sitting duties. In the early light winds Races 1 to 4 the the Just'in rigged Fat Boy's of the two Abington Park Peter's, Jackson & Shepherd were hard to beat, however both had difficulty picking the right rig for races 5 to 8 needing to drop down to B's where the Ice and Supabug skippers could continue with larger A rigs.
Hugh McAdoo presents Alan Viney with his Nov"ICE" Award for the top placed novice.
It was in this period that Alan Viney came to the fore winning race 6 and being placed second in the other two behind Roger Stollery sailing his trusty Supabug, Alan cemented his hold upon the first Sail Footy UK NovICE award of 2015.
up until this point the competition for this prize had been very close with Sid Sims, Alan and Peter Dunne all trading places with each other, looking down at the score card there were individual rivalaries taking place all the way down the fleet
up until this point the competition for this prize had been very close with Sid Sims, Alan and Peter Dunne all trading places with each other, looking down at the score card there were individual rivalaries taking place all the way down the fleet
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By race 9 the Peters's were finally back on track both using a B rig with a recent development for them, an offset swing rig, details of which will be added to the website in the near future.
At this juncture Rob managed to slip the net and came along with the "Vice Squad" CJ, Lockie and Gabriel who brought with them their usual enthusiasm, they entered the fray and were scored as a separate competition between themselves, the table unfortunately doesn't reflect their overall performance within the remaining races which was very good each of them picking up a prize at the end. |
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A special mention must go to Hugh McAdoo, and John Townsend who did exceptionally well at officiating the event and producing the final score card given the number of rig changes and the addition of the three juniors into the mix at the very end.
The final three races returned to the morning conditions of light fluky winds and everyone was once more back on the biggest rigs they could carry. Last years NovICE winner Mike Ewart was Mr Consistency, he was always in the hunt for a race win never quite achieving it, however he always managed to finish in the top 5 and he didn't have a single bad race.
The long windward, leeward course was taking some 15 to 20 minutes to finish in the light winds which meant the lunch was taken after just six races had been completed, despite the wind appearing to come from the North, across the water, the high bank from which we were sailing was having an effect.
All the skippers explored where to find the greatest pressure, with most concluding that away from the bank was best, however too far away and you were travelling a lot further for little gain.
If you could pop out in the lead at the start and get a little bit clear ahead this usually meant you could consolidate the advantage. Most skippers were starting on a starboard tack, however this brought you in towards the bank and an early switch onto port was often advantageous.
I have to say that the event was held in a most pleasant atmosphere with anyone who infringed the rules doing their turns voluntarily without exception, in fact I would go as far as to say the standard of sailing was most exemplary and the races held in such a respectful, pleasant, friendly but competitive manner, well done to all the competitors.
All the skippers explored where to find the greatest pressure, with most concluding that away from the bank was best, however too far away and you were travelling a lot further for little gain.
If you could pop out in the lead at the start and get a little bit clear ahead this usually meant you could consolidate the advantage. Most skippers were starting on a starboard tack, however this brought you in towards the bank and an early switch onto port was often advantageous.
I have to say that the event was held in a most pleasant atmosphere with anyone who infringed the rules doing their turns voluntarily without exception, in fact I would go as far as to say the standard of sailing was most exemplary and the races held in such a respectful, pleasant, friendly but competitive manner, well done to all the competitors.
Runner up Roger Stollery (117 Supabug)
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Hugh McAdoo presents the Fred Shepherd "Big Toephy" to Peter Shepherd (65 Fat Boy)
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Third Place Peter Jackson (30 Fat Boy Slim)
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