The annual Frostbite Regatta was hosted by Manx Sailing and Cruising Club on Boxing Day for the S.E. Quayle Cup on West Baldwin Reservoir.

Despite the name, the temperature was well into double figures, with a slightly flukey breeze and at times even sunshine which made for a very pleasant race with no capsizes.

Unusually the race was of the pursuit type where the slowest dinghies start first and, with allotted start times, the rest of the fleet follow with fastest boats last. After the allotted time, one hour from the starting hooter, the dinghy at the front is the winner - simple.

First off at 11am was the youngest competitor, Archie Dunn (Tera Sport), who did well to stay ahead of the next starters, juniors Teddy Dunn, Patrick Cope and Nick Ellis (Tera Pro’s) and senior (current cup holder) Jim Whitelegg in his Gull, for one lap.

After quite a break, the Radial Lasers then Full Rig Lasers took off in pursuit with the final starters being the D-zero and Aero.

The winner at the midday finish was Phil Hardisty (Laser) who managed to overtake juniors Teddy and Patrick with only two minutes to spare.

MS&CC would like to thank Ian Quayle for race officer duties and Helen and Emily Kee for the patrol boat.

There was also a surprise presentation for one of the competitors, Luke Crowe, who was presented with the BT Challenge Trophy for the Young Sailor of the Year on behalf of the Manx Yachting Association.

He was nominated by MS&CC in recognition of his achievements in 2018 which included his qualifying as an RYA dinghy instructor, sailing with Jerry Colman as crew on Sea-Pie of Cultra and helping all summer at 7th Wave in Port Erin.

He has also joined Ramsey RNLI Lifeboat as volunteer crew - a deserving winner indeed.