Wilsonian Sailing Club’s New Year Day Race – The Chilly Willies – attracted an excellent entry of 25 boats, including five visitors and the entry fees raised £145 for the RNLI. Fortunately the snow and ice of the previous week had disappeared and a Force 2-3 north-westerly was just sufficient to provide an enjoyable midday race for all. To accommodate boats ranging from the RS800 to the humble Topper, results were based on average lap time.

The RS 800 of Ian Parris and Sam Proctor led the way with the RS 400 of Sally and Martyn Styles shadowing them and although 14 minutes separated them at the line, the Styles won by a seven second margin on corrected time. Meanwhile, Mike Gower and Phil Harris battled it out in their Laser Vortex asymmetrics. Gower edged ahead of Harris on the final beat to the line to pick up fourth and fifth prizes, as Steve Restall and Frank Catt, finishing six minutes later in their Buzz, claimed third prize on handicap.

Overall Results

1st RS 400 Sally/Martyn Styles (Downs SC)

2nd RS 800 Ian Parris/Sam Proctor (Wilsonian SC)

3rd Buzz Steve Restall/Frank Catt (Downs SC)

4th Laser Vortex Asymmetric Mike Gower (Wilsonian SC)

5th Laser Vortex Asymmetric Phil Harris (Wilsonian SC)