Dell Quay Frostbite Finale!

Published 12:17 on 11 Mar 2026

Finally we got to stretch the mainsheet and use the legs! With a gusty and fluky wind greeting the sailors for races 9 and 10 of a brilliant Frostbite series, the breeze ranged from 5 16 knots across the course. The RO set a great windward leeward giving those of us lucky enough to be out a long beat with some testing conditions with big shifts and large gusts.

The first race was sailed with a strong flooding tide, the WSW meant there was a real decision to be made sail inshore out of the tide but risk holes and big shifts, or head into a strong spring tide but cleaner air. The RS400 of Jon Wilburn and Pound in the Solo went for the middle ground, with the rest of the fleet heading inshore. Pound still finding his feet in the Solo class didnt fair too well on the upwind leg but the 400 shot off. The downwind leg also gave some interesting choices for the single sail fleet, most took the direct route, whilst Pound with nothing to lose from a terrible upwind leg went out wide and went from fourth to first amongst the Solos and gained well on the asymmetrics. The second lap tended to consolidate the results, oh did I mention the 2000 and series leaders of Bill Dawber and Sue Manning. Yes, they were pointing like demons and took the handicap win, Pound second and Wilburn third.

In the Junior fleet Theodore Valantin had nothing to lose and didnt really need to show up, but hats off to him, he cracked on and scored another bullet with Louie Cornell second and Lara Cook third.

The second race started with a more consistent wind speed and direction and with the flooding tide now subsiding it was all to play for. Middle of the line was the place to be, Pound was early and went to clear the line, getting stuck in irons sailed backwards across the start line and having created a bit of a mess, started last. The 2000 of Dawber and Manning were off, Will Parrett in his Laser had a better race clearing himself of the Solos. Mark Gardner in his Solo also had a strong race and took third place having had a good battle with Fred Hilgers in the 3rd Solo on the water today.

Towards the end of the first lap the wind started to fade a little which combined with a now outgoing tide created a few waves which didnt help progress upwind, by the time the finish line appeared the breeze had dropped quite a lot, Dawber/Manning took the win, Parret secured second and Gardner clinched third, whilst Theodore cleared up his series with another win, Lara Cook took second and Sebastian Mountain claimed third in the Junior fleet.

A big shout out to the Junior class, a lot of which travelled each week from Felpham SC to compete, was a pleasure having you sail with us and look forward to welcoming you back next year, also a big shout to Richard Tanner and his Comet who joined us from Langstone, look forward to seeing you Saturday 7th November 2026 for the next round!

The end of a fabulous series. A big shout out to all who sailed, those who helped run the races, the club, the safety boats and most importantly the galley, the club simply wouldnt function without you thank you from all of us sailors.

If you want to find out more about the Small club with a big heart (Quote from one of last years Firefly sailors post open meeting) then drop us a line at enquiries@dellquaysc.co.uk or take a look at www.dellquaysc.co.uk Situated in what is generally regarded as the prettiest and safest part of the fabulous Chichester Harbour, we look forward to welcoming new members, no matter if you dont sail but fancy a paddle board or row, or just want to be a part of a fun family orientated club!