Asplund takes four point lead in Mercator Frostbite Series

James Qualtrough | March 7, 2013 | 0 Comments

Fifth Mercator Frostbite race start with Henrik Asplund in the lead

HENRIK Asplund will be hard to beat as the Mercator Frostbite Series draws to a close.

Now after five races of the series, Henrik Asplund leads his daughter, Johanna, by four points. With two races remaining it is difficult to see who will knock Henrik off top spot.

This week’s race saw nine boats take on the frosty conditions with an exciting easterly wind at 15 gusting to 20 knots. The course, a windward leeward between Refee and close to Salarie, to keep us tucked in out of the tide.

The race officer, John Gainsford, started the race on time catching a few of the late launching boats short of the line. The laser fleet got away well, with the Hobie Cat powering through to lead a chasing pack of boats round the first mark, then followed an exciting run surfing down the following waves to the leeward gate.

During the race the crews of the faster RS800 skiffs and the Hobie Tiger enjoyed impromptu swims whilst Tom Lees was unlucky to have to retire due to gear failure when going well in his Laser 4.7.

After four laps the line honours again went to the Hobie Tiger, but the winning boats on adjusted handicap, were the Lasers of Johanna Asplund, Henrik Asplund and Sam Crosby. The RS 400 of Allistair Cleal and Tony Newman was the first asymetric to finish.