The Action Heats Up Despite the Chill on the 5th Day of Bough Beech Icicle Series 2026

As the iconic Icicle Series 2026 met its halfway point at the Bough Beech Club, racing enthusiasts were greeted with less-than-perfect conditions. But, it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of eager sailors who turned out, proving once again, that if the wind doesn’t serve, you need to row! Despite a slow start due to an uninviting weather forecast, Race Officer Mike Warwicker and his brave crew hoisted the answering pennant against a backdrop of brewing tea, settling in for a day of dramatic sailing. Meanwhile, practically disregarding the postponement, an optimistic trio launched their dinghies, only to find that there was little wind to assist them in their seafaring endeavor. Sailors were provided with challenging choices at lunchtime, sparking a spirited debate: shepherd’s pie or sandwich? But, that wasn’t the only surprise in store. Bucking the slow start, an explosive six-knot Southern wind unexpectedly kicked in just after lunch, casting a perfect setting for some keenly contested races. In the conventional fleet, Harry and George, two young enthusiasts, stole the limelight, leading a robust start in their snipe. They were closely tailed by Guy Marks and Sam Boniface in the Wayfarer, who rode this sudden change in tidings to victory. Their triumph was especially impressive since the other hot favourites couldn’t participate in the day’s proceedings. Amidst the asymmetric battles, Jonny Moss & Rich Sheridan from Bough Beech and Mick & Sarah Whitmore from Eastbourne Sovereign demonstrated their prowess, beating the fastest boats with a sizable lead. The Musto Skiff contingent conveniently stayed at home, but it didn’t detract from the thrilling action. However, as the ninth race concluded, the wind began to falter, causing the tenth race to be abandoned, leaving it to be resailed along with the eleventh and twelfth races the following Sunday. Nonetheless, the roller-coaster journey of day five exemplified that a little rain couldn’t douse the fiery enthusiasm of the sailing community at Bough Beech. A hearty thanks to all contributors who made this day a resounding success despite the tribulations.