Hoo Ness Yacht Club,
Vicarage Lane,
Hoo,
Rochester,
Kent
ME3 9LB
Clubhouse: 01634 250052
Email: memsec@hooness.org.uk
Hoo Freezer Sunday 28 February 2010
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Simon Allen from Hayling Island Sailing Club sailed his International Canoe "Incognito" to win the Hoo Freezer receiving his prizes from Hoo Ness Yacht Club Commodore Peter Gaskin |
Report by Roy Winnett The 39th Hoo Freezer was held over the weekend 27th & 28th February hosted by Hoo Ness YC and organised with assistance from Wilsonian SC. Hoo Marina were the main sponsors of the event with generous contributions from MDL, Chatham Precision Navigation, Gillingham Marina and Sheppard Neame, as well as being the last race in the 4 race SailJuice Global Warm-up Series. Other sailing clubs, the scouts, St John’s Ambulance and Coast Guard provided safety cover. The customary format was to have been followed of a practice race on Saturday and the Hoo Freezer on Sunday but regrettably Sunday’s race had to be abandoned. A northwesterly gusting over 30 knots and a prediction of strengthening gave grounds for the Coast Guard and Medway Ports to advise that the race should not be held, therefore Saturday’s results were used to determine the Hoo Freezer prizes. The long-range forecast for gale force winds over the weekend probably accounted for just 39 pre-entries. Saturday dawned with overcast skies and a shifty force 3 – 4 southwesterly creating tricky conditions for the 29 boats that ventured out with 6 failing to get a finish. RS 800 Ashby & Proctor at start of Fast Handicap fleet There were two starts, fast handicap PY less than 1000 and medium handicap PY 1001 – 1160. Neil Ashby/Sam Proctor (RS 800), after a hasty replacement of a faulty rudder just before the start, took an early lead of the fast handicap fleet with Simon Allen (Int. Canoe) in hot pursuit. Gareth Davies (Int. Moth foil) closed up on the leaders on the homeward leg, however on adjusted time Allen claimed victory to lift the Hoo Freezer Cup and Gun Wharf Cup with Ashby/Proctor runners-up, while Davies was relegated to 7th on corrected time. Meanwhile after several place changes, Steve Hall/Simon Haighton (Lark), Tim/Sarah Parsons (Scorpion), Martin Brown/Max Caston (3000) and Janet/Alan Ritchie (Scorpion) led the medium fleet home for third, fourth, fifth and sixth prizes respectively.  Simon Allen this year's winner, sailing his International Canoe Juniors Aaron Smith/Alec Rodgers (29ER) and Richard Whitworth/Olly Turner (Merlin Rocket) were also up with the leaders but an unscheduled swim for the youngsters held them to 8th overall and the highest placed youth sailor while Whitworth/Turner missed out a rounding mark, had to retrace their course but still picked up 9th prize on handicap. Mike Gower kept his Vortex powered up to be rewarded with 10th prize. Wilsonian’s Brian Lamb/John Goudie (Wayfarer) and Grahame Smith/Tom Lambert (Laser 2000) battled for honours but finished outside the prizes at 11th & 13th respectively. Whereas a 12th place for R Wolfenden/M Titmarsh helped the Scorpions secure the highest placed class team prize. Tom Sims awarded the Race Officer’s prize to Marinus Zilvold/Julie Nuttal (Merlin Rocket) who had travelled the furthest. Overall Results/Prizes Hoo Freezer Cup and Gun Wharf Cup The full race results can be viewed here A date for your diaries, the Hoo Freezer 2011 will take place on the 19th and 20th February Beginner's Guide to the Hoo Freezer
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Contact: freezer@hooness.org.uk |
Date Published 1st Mar 2010
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