The forecasted gales did not arrive until after Wilsonian Sailing Club’s New Year Day race ‘The Chilly Willies’. However, a blustery Force 4-5 south-westerly gave the 13 entries, including three visitors, some testing but excellent planning conditions for the mid-day start.

A lapping course was set within site of spectators on the clubhouse veranda. Steve and Katie Restall (Buzz) took an early lead with Stuart Bailey/Hannah Packman (Buzz) and Grahame Smith (Vortex) in hot pursuit while Tony Hunt/Suzanne Hall (Laser 3000) recovered from a late start. On the second lap Bailey/Packman had a dip and Smith had gennaker problems while Hunt/Hall closed the gap on the leaders. On the third round the Restalls established a clear lead, which they held for line honours and victory on corrected time, as Hunt/Hall failed to catch up sufficiently and had to settle for runners up spot.

Meanwhile Mark Bew (Phantom) and Brian Lamb/Brian Warwick (Wayfarer) steadily kept up with the leaders for third and fourth places respectively. After a late lunch Steve and Katie Restall were presented with the Chilly Willies Trophy and RNLI burgee and it was announced that entry fees had raised £100 for the RNLI.

Overall Results

1st Buzz, Steve/Katie Restall (Downs SC)

2nd Laser 3000, Tony Hunt/Suzanne Hall (Wilsonian SC)

3rd Phantom, Mark Bew (Wilsonian SC)

4th Wayfarer, Brian Lamb/Brian Warwick (Wilsonian SC)

5th Laser Vortex, Grahame Smith (Wilsonian SC)

6th Buzz, Stuart Bailey/Hannah Packman (Medway YC)