Ten hardy boats shrugged off truly Arctic temperatures to line up for the Scammonden Water Sailing Club Freezer Open on the 28th of December. The last race on Scammonden's 2025 calendar is always a good chance to burn off Christmas dinner. Conditions delivered a classic Scammonden challenge: a North-Easterly breeze at 8-9mph, with gusts of up to 16mph as it funnelled off the dam wall.
The 90-minute endurance test got under way promptly at 11:30, and it was the local Enterprise pairing of Ollie Boocock and Luke Hartshorn who nailed the start, launching cleanly off the line. They rounded the first windward mark locked in a tight battle with early pace-setters Mike Goodwin (SWSC) and Ian Jones (Dovestone), both flying the flag for the ILCA fleet.
As the race unfolded, Scammonden showed its teeth. The wind refused to sit still, slowly shifting throughout the race and constantly bending around the surrounding hills. The infamous Scammonden topography ensured no two laps were the same: shifts and sudden cruel gusts meant that a winning move on one lap could become a glaring faux pas on the next.
Mid-race, Ian Jones began to stretch his legs. Consistently plotting the best course, he steadily extended his advantage and looked increasingly untouchable as the clock ticked on. Over the closing stages he controlled the fleet confidently, eventually taking both line honours and overall victory.
Behind him, Boocock and Hartshorn once again demonstrated formidable pace in their Enterprise, securing second place and holding on to the title of fastest enterprise from Scammonden. Mike Goodwin negotiated the aeros well, and sailed a consistently strong race to claim third.
The battle for fourth went right down to the wire, with the second Enterprise of the two Holdaways just edging out Ben Ratcliffe's RS Aero on corrected time in a closely fought handicap duel.
As ever, Scammonden hospitality matched the quality of the racing. Competitors thawed out first with hot soup, and then an outstanding post-race spread featuring a choice of pies or lasagne, followed by an impressive selection of desserts. Huge thanks go to the galley team for keeping sailors warm and well-fed, and to the race officers and rescue crew whose commitment ensured racing could go ahead despite the Baltic conditions.
Winter racing at its very best: demanding, tactical, and hugely rewarding.
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