January sees the launch of the annual Mercator GYC Frostbite Series with its new sponsor at the helm. The first race of this competition for dinghies starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday 16 January and it includes six fortnightly races throughout January, February and March. GYC Dinghy Captain Stuart Bloese:

“This year promises keen competition at many levels and most importantly, fun on the water. It also offers our local up-and-coming sailors vying for places in the GBR squads the opportunity to regularly race, giving them a distinct advantage to their UK competitors.”

Racing against each other in wintery conditions for the coveted trophy are some of Guernsey’s most promising dinghy sailing talent. Competitors will be sailing a wide variety of dinghy designs, from Hobie Tiger Catamarans and RS400s to the slower GP14s and the single-handed Laser.

Each boat is given a handicap, based on results from sailing clubs all over the UK. The series uses an average lap format requiring all boats to sail around the same course as many times as possible in an hour, after which a mean time is taken and the handicap applied to find the overall winner.

Competitors expected to take part range from the young sailing stars Johanna Asplund and Andy Bridgman, both already with solid backrounds from the GBR national squads, to the experienced sailors David Aslett, last year’s winner Dave Le Page, Henrik Asplund and the husband-and-wife team Stuart and Carol Bloese, all keen to leave the young ones in their wake. No doubt, the wintry conditions will not only offer great racing but also promise demanding tests for the sailors. Managing director at Mercator, David Preston:

“Anyone who is brave enough to take to the waves in these cold weather conditions will have truly earned Mercator’s support. I look forward to following the competition.”