THE Royal Southampton Yacht Club's Frostbite Series got off to a sunny start last weekend, and while the shifting winds created problems for the race officers, the competitors made the most of their first outing of the New Year.

With a light breeze from the west at between seven and 10 knots, and with the spring tide on the ebb, racers had to contend with some interesting tactical problems as the wind direction changed andvaried in strength in Southampton Water.

By the end of the race, the wind had veered north-west, putting paid to the best laid plans by the course setters.

The only starter from the multihulls, Shakatak, got away on time, but then the wind started to lighten and shift, preventing the other two classes from starting on time, while a new course was set. Class 1 saw Stuart and John Danby aboard the Corby 25 'Kid Gloves' get a promising start, with tactics on the line proving decisive around the course.

Those setting out on the right side of the course, out of the tide, should have benefited, but the main channel on the left had significantly more wind, and those that took the left gained a major advantage.

These included the Farr 25 Headache and the Sigma 33 Hooligan. The J-120 'Jongleur' soon caught up and overtook the leaders, closely followed by 'Kid Gloves'.

Blazer and Revival II ended up having a close tussle on the water, with Blazer gaining the advantage towards the end, taking third place on corrected time. She finished a minute and 13 seconds behind 'Jongleur' but it was 'Kid Gloves', beating against the tide, that came in first by just over two minutes.Class 2 saw the H-boat 'Badger' also get a superb start, and for the first half of the race she was well ahead of other boats with higher handicaps.

However, she got involved in a luffing match near one of the marks, and as a result of the strong tide, had to put another tack in to lay the mark, losing her at least two places as a result.

Brian Verstage's 'Escapade', with ex-owner John Cooper aboard, stayed at the head of the fleet throughout to win by over five minutes on corrected time, with Malcolm McCarthy on 'Shades of Blue I' second.