FRENSHAM Sailing Club’s Ten-Hour Race grew out of a disaster.

Some years ago, enthusiastic youngsters decided to run a 24-hour race for charity – similar to the famous event at Southport. But it was not such a good idea on a sheltered lake like Frensham. With a dense early morning fog, competitors could not see beyond the bow of their boat, let alone turning-marks and other craft. Thereafter, the race was modified into a ten-hour contest.

Established racing boat designs nominate three crews to take in turn an hour on the race course, with a crew exchange at the end of the hour.

There was a good turn-out of classes and conditions were good with a gusting north-easterly breeze providing competitive sailing.

Two classes, the Teras and 2.4 keelboats, were absent at other events and the junior cadet sailors all tried their hand in the larger RS200s and 4.7 designs. Crew change-overs are vital and sometimes comical. Laser sailor Rob Beere managed five of the ten hours before having to leave for another event.

The battle for the trophy was between Keith Videlo’s RS 200 team and Paul Phillips’ crew in a Sailability Liberty. At bang on 7pm, the final hooter sounded and all competitors received a spontaneous cheer as they crossed the line. It had been a magical day in the hot sunshine.

Results: 1st, RS 200 (Keith, Bex and Charlotte Videlo, Katrina Gilbert, Jenny Rust); 2nd, Sailability Liberty single-handed (Paul Phillips, Tessa Watkins, Mike Everett, Paul Etherton); 3rd, Laser Radial (Gavin Maclachlin, Kate Taylor, John Winchester).

The day continued with a meal, plus music provided by Dan Gordon and Scarlett Bingham.