On Sunday 9th March, Lutine Belle was all set for the last race of the Frostbite Series.  Driving down, listening to the news reports of the major storm headed for the South Coast, we were wondering whether it was the best day to be going out sailing, but what the hell!  The storm was a good few hours away yet.

Breaking what seems to be an established Belle tradition, we got up to the start area early.  We were sailing well, but not quite at the 27 knots that the instruments reckoned.  It was blowing a fairly variable 3-4, with some good sunny spells

With Clive on the helm for the first race, we made a good start, about half way down the line, with the pin end undoubtedly being favoured.  With the race committee calling back a Hunter 707 for being OCS, we were not quite sure, but were relieved to hear it was not us!  Some slick spinnaker work made up for a distinct lack of planning, as the kite seemed to be stuck on the wrong side pretty much every time we went to hoist it.

Staying in touch with the other 707s, we never quite seemed to find the passing lane, frequently tangling with Trombone, a much larger yacht (sailed by another club member) who we overtook off the wind each time, before their waterline length let them pass us again up wind.

The course was shortened at the start of the second lap, just over an hour in length, to allow plenty of time for the second race.

Getting the second race started proved a challenge for the race committee, as it was the same time that a line of squalls came through, with the inevitable wind shifts.  The only trouble was that the crew were therefore sat waiting for the race in a cold, windy, downpour.

The weather cleared and the wind settled sufficient to start, although by the time that Class 2 got away, the line was seriously biased towards the committee boat end.  So much so that the first beat only required 2 tacks - and they were only due to the Red Jet bearing down on us blasting his horn.

Jan took the helm for the second race, and the bias in the line meant that there was a serious crush at the boat end, now the subject of a protest or two.  However, Jan's timing was perfect, and the crowds cleared in front of us, giving us a near perfect start.

A combination of the change of crew positions, and having got cold, tired and wet between races meant that our spinnaker work was not quite as slick in the second race, which cost us a bit of time and meant that we lost touch with the other 707s.  We did fight our way back in to it however, and finished in touch with the fleet.

We were pleased to score a 7th and an 11th for the day, which meant that we were 8th overall in the Frostbite Series - not a bad effort!