AN old sea dog said of winter sailing: 'Either there is too much wind or too little.'

Last year he was wrong; but so far this year, he has been right.

The last two races run by Dittisham Sailing Club in the New Year Series have tested the competitors' patience and also their blood circulation. Contrary to popular opinion, racers get much colder in drifters than when it is blowing a gale – unless they capsize.

The second race in the series was run with seven hardy participants. There had been no wind at all as they rigged their dinghies but, at the appointed time, a zephyr of wind came up, which was just sufficient to start the race.

Only one lap was possible and the conditions suited the two Solos. Jonathan Weeks overtook Bob Thomas – 'because I removed a floating branch from my rudder,' so said Jonathan.

Young Josh Honey exchanged his Topper for a Laser and was rewarded with a third place, beating Alex Johns, who was fourth.

The three other competitors all retired due to slow or no progress. Particularly unlucky was Neil Drew, sailing a Club Laser 13, who got to within a short distance of the finishing line only to be beaten by the ever-increasing foul tide. Last Sunday there was slightly more wind, but it was still a toss-up whether it more exciting to watch the racing or watch paint dry.

The first job many competitors had to do was to remove the ice from the bottom of the inside of their boats due to the overnight frost.

Race officer Patrick Bromley sensibly set a small course in the centre of the lake, where there was just enough wind for the small fleet to make progress.

Les Moores in his Solo made an excellent start, but could not maintain his position.

At the finish Solo sailor Bob Thomas won from Pete Joscelyne in his Laser.

Third was Barry Kenyon, also in a Laser, returning to competition after a spell of injury.

The fourth race in the New Year Series will be sailed on Sunday, February 26 at 10am, weather permitting.

RESULTS: New Year Race 2 – 1 Jonathan Weeks, Solo; 2 Bob Thomas, Solo; 3 Josh Honey, Laser.

New Year Race 3 – 1 Bob Thomas, Solo; 2 Pete Joscelyne, Laser; 3 Barry Kenyon, Laser.