Race Review

Frostbite #2b March 14, 2026

By Andy Stringfellow

Disclaimer: The accuracy of this retelling may be similar to the size of that fish you caught last year. Events at the front of the race may have been outside my view from Carpe Diem, so if you have anything more (or less) accurate to add, feel free to add comments, corrections, or your own fish-sized stories below.

It was 65 degrees with a 9 knot wind and a Noontime start. Everyone was eager to get started after having been delayed by snow and then rain for the first attempts of Frostbite Racing. Across the start line, Carpe Diem with John, Bill and Andy, shot out into the lead due to the downwind start. This superior lead was futile as the fleet would catch up before Goat Island. Sirocco—with George and our newest member, Lonnie Smith—were first to reach Carpe Diem’s stern but Second Wind with J-Rod and Rod, ran past them both before the port turn to the west. Cheers with David and Sonya shot past Sirocco and around Carpe Diem to take second place. Skipjack, helmed by Dick with his crew of Don and David Thomas, came up behind Carpe Diem only to pass on their starboard before reaching the north side of the island. Our favorite “No Name” Hunter 25.5 with Brooks and Jill were always nipping at our heels, keeping everyone honest.

Second Wind, Sirocco, and Cheers

Now with Second Wind in the lead, Cheers and Skipjack on their tail, everyone worked the lines to round Goat Island and head towards Taylor Island. With most sailors taking a straight line to the island, Sirocco opted for a more southern route to try and gain advantage of the south wind that was quickly filling in from Cove Creek. Midway on the run to Taylor Island, Cheers made a bold choice to work an angle to the southwest to catch the stronger winds and help themselves stay close to the bigger boats that were pulling away from the rest.

Coming up to Taylor Island, the view from behind looked as though a battle was brewing as Skipjack came along the port side of Second Wind, close enough to rub their rails or fire cannons across their bow. This scenario would hold for the port tack around Taylor Island before their angles would separate them on the long run back to Point 4 with Skipjack taking a narrow lead.

Skipjack and Second Wind

With Cheers being firmly in third place, for the time being, Carpe Diem was able to maintain a fourth position coming into the North side of Taylor Island but the water on the hull of Sirocco was always in our ear. Anytime Sirocco is on your stern, the theme to Jaws always seems to be an appropriate tune to hum because by the time we made the turn back to the East, Sirocco was ahead of Carpe Diem.

Skipjack, Cheers, and Second Wind heading for Taylor Island

The run back to Point 4 was as enjoyable as the first half with only a few tacks to get back South of Goat Island. The fight back was close the whole way. Skipjack was first across the line with Second Wind only two minutes behind! Sirocco was just able to get the best of Cheers coming back to the line three minutes ahead and only two minutes behind Second Wind. The top four were only separated by 7 minutes! Carpe Diem came in fifth with No Name just behind.

After PHRF time corrections, Second Wind, Cheers, Carpe Diem and No Name maintained their 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th positions but Sirocco and Skipjack have switched positions making Sirocco the winner of the day!

Thank you to everyone who participated as well as everyone who was able to stick around and hang out on the dock.
Let’s do it again!