Manx Sailing and Cruising Club’s annual Frostbite Regatta, the last of the 2020 season, was held at West Baldwin reservoir on Boxing Day.

This event was a pursuit race with a staggered start, therefore slower boats start first and fastest last, which makes it very easy for spectators. The boat in the lead when time is up is the winner.

Despite the chilly and gusty conditions, 17 dinghies took to the water for the various different start times in this year’s contest.

Levi Baugh’s gear failure shortly before his start time meant Nickolas Ellis was first away at 11.03am and he very nearly put a full lap in before the Feva of James Allinson started at 11.10.

Over the next 10 minutes the rest of the fleet got away and the chase was on. It was fairly lonely for Ellis out in front for the first three laps as the faster boats were visibly chasing him down.

Unlike normal racing where all the dinghies start together, in a pursuit race they should all finish together, making the last few minutes the most exciting.

After one hour of racing the finish signal sounded, by which time defending champion Donald Edwards was leading on the water followed by Teddy Dunn in second just keeping ahead of Peter Cope in third.

Fourth-placed Ralph Kee in his Laser (same start as Edwards) kept a boat length ahead of Ffinlo Wright who had managed to climb through the fleet to fifth, with Ellis a credible sixth.

At the shore side presentation, Dunn was also awarded with the Manx Yacht Association BT Youth Challenge Trophy for his achievements over the last 12 months.

MS&CC would like to thank sponsor Doug Watling, race officer Keith Poole and patrol boat crew of May Shiu Chan, Emily Kee and Charlotte Corlett.