Benn Garnham and Jamie Hamilton take their first win in the Mercator Frostbite Series

With a south easterly fresh force five and a biting chill in the air, the conditions for all the sailors in last weekend’s fourth Mercator Frostbite series proved very challenging.

Just eight boats took to the water with a steady 18 to 20 knots of wind and good waves that proved just the right challenge for all the sailors.

The start line was set in Belgrave Bay leading to a windward mark out in the Little Russell, followed by a run close into the shore near the Red Lion.

After a tight start with each boat using different strategies to the windward mark, the Hobie Tiger catamaran was first to round followed by the Lasers and RS 400s mixing it up before turning onto the run to the leeward marks.  All boats achieved their best speeds of the series due to the strong winds.

Although the RS400s (pictured) enjoyed some exciting moments on the edge of control, only two boats capsized to enjoy the chill of the winter water. This proved a real incentive not to capsize again.

The Hobie Tiger of Benn Garnham and Jamie Hamilton, the fastest boat on the course, took line honours and victory on adjusted times to achieve a convincing win. Second and third places went to father and daughter; Johanna Asplund taking second from her father Henrik. Dave Le Page brought home the first double handed dinghy.

With the fourth race of the Mercator Frostbite series completed, Henrik Asplund is currently in the lead, followed by Dave Aslett and Darragh Lee.

Current leader board

Tags: Benn Garnham, Jamie Hamilton, Mercator Frostbite Series

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