Scourfield sets the early Frostbite pace

The race for glory in Welland Yacht Club’s Frostbite Series continued on Sunday with two more rounds keenly contested.

It was Mark Scourfield who enjoyed a double victory on the day at rounds three and four of the series, putting himself in a strong position as the series builds towards the traditional Boxing Day finale.
With sunshine and a moderate breeze serving up mild conditions on the day, this enticed 11 boats to the starting line for Sunday’s opener.
It was Scourfield (Solo) who managed to avoid some of the coming together at the start as he was clear away, followed by Andy Prior (Laser full rig) and Gerri van Haren (Phantom), followed by Clive Herd – who was making a welcome return to racing in his Streaker dinghy.
Scourfield rounded buoy three first, followed by Prior and van Haren, with Herd still in fourth.
The wind was changeable in strength and direction at times, which kept all helms alert, but Scourfield held the lead to round number one buoy at clubhouse with Prior and van Haren close behind.
It was then that van Haren, in the faster boat, sailed through and took the lead, leaving Prior to eventually get past Scourfield into second.
This was the finishing order across the line, but after handicaps were applied it was Scourfield who re-took first place, followed by Prior in second and Herd in third.
Race two saw 11 boats line-up again, with all competitors to round the buoys in the opposite direction.
It was Scourfield who once again timed his start and was first away, followed by rivals Prior and van Haren.
With a slight increase in the wind strength, it meant that the tight reaches were possible – allowing planing conditions that were enjoyed by the fleet at various times as gains were made and lost
The front three were away and the chasing bunch – led by Alan Chapman, Alister Mitchell and Alan Cox – were enjoying close racing all around the course.
With the increasing wind strength, the race was a bit shorter this time around and at the end it was the Phantom of van Haren that crossed the line ahead of Prior, followed by Scourfield in third place.
After handicap it was Scourfield who finished first again, just three seconds in front of Prior in second and van Haren, who had to settle for third place.