TEN boats crossed the start line on the River Tamar for Weir Quay Sailing Club's fourth Frostbite Series dinghy race on Sunday in a north westerly force 4 wind with a long figure-of-eight course, giving the crews a good race on all points of sailing.
A force 6 squall under a large black cloud warmed up the proceedings at the end of the second lap, resulting in a capsize and retirement of three Mirrors and a fast lap for the other boats.
As the boats were on the last leg of the fourth and final lap, the wind swung northerly and rapidly increased to gusts of force 7 to 8 with four boats capsizing and others running for cover on the beach.
Three Wayfarers crossed the finishing line with Rob Brereton's 'Popple' managing to overtake leader John Tomlinson's 'Final Chance' on the final tack to win by ten seconds.
Ben Houghton in 'Who's Blue' was the only Mirror to finish, completing three laps in 50 minutes.
The safety boat was kept busy, finally heading off down-river to rescue a capsized Wayfarer 'Ruff 'n' Tumble' which had been forced on to the mud below Clamoak Quay.
The MOD rib came upriver to provide some welcome assistance in the high wind and choppy conditions. The boat was eventually righted and brought up river between the two boats with a broken mast.
Results — Fast handicap: 1, Rob Brereton, Wayfarer, Popple, 51mins 24secs; 2, John Tomlinson, Wayfarer, 'Final Chance' 51mins 35 secs; 3, Tim Houghton, Wayfarer, 'Woppitt' 54mins 20secs.
Slow handicap: Ben Houghton, Mirror, 'Who's Blue', 50mins 11secs.