FRENSHAM Sailing Club’s March Frenzy meeting, sponsored by Typhoon Clothing, is a traditional pre-season warm-up event, open to allcomers.

Held in March, it has a reputation for strong, shifting winds. But not this time. Competitive sailing relies on wind power and the competitors arriving at Frensham found a windless stretch of water that looked like a sheet of glass. Disappointing and contrary to the official forecast.

The race officers decided to abort the morning race and see if things improved. By early afternoon, the drizzle had lifted and a few ripples of breeze could be seen. It was to the credit of the many visiting sailors that all stayed for the second and final race.

The Frenzy is a pursuit event, with the slowest designs starting first followed by the whole fleet at intervals.

And out of the disappointing conditions came one magnificent achievement. A young competitor, Luke Anstey, racing his Tera class dinghy and starting from pole position, stole the event with a decisive win, beating veteran champion Richard Hart as well as Nick Craig and Peter Barton, both recent national and European champions.

Frensham is known as the Nursery of Champions and there may now be another one for the future.

Results: 1st, Luke Anstey (Frensham) Tera class; 2nd, John Townsley (Frensham) Solo class; 3rd, Megan Fergusson & Finlay Lomas-Clarke (Frensham) Cadet; 4th, Ben Rolfe (Burghfield SC) RS class; 5th, Peter Barton (Lymington SC) RS class; 6th, Clive Eplett (Frensham) RS 100.