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| Dave's start |
The 2018 Frostbite race took place on the 2nd of December. The conditions were cooler than last year but the weather and water was calm. The same format was used as in the previous few years of a time trial around the tidal basin at the Marina. The total distance of the 8 lap run is approximately 5km. Dave Owens was the first to ski and took on the 8 laps with some fast opening laps. The lifeboat heading out to sea did not seem to deter the speed either as the wake rolled across the basin. Dave's first 4 laps were completed in 2:46.28 and the full 8 laps were done in 5:37.64. Simon Binks was the next skier. He was a little slower on the lap splits, not being a regular at racing on a pair of skis. Passing through half way at 2:57.75, Simon completed all 8 laps in 5:12.16. Final skier was Geoff who had been covering timing and flags. The initial laps were a bit off the pace Dave had set by about 4 seconds, but by half way this was down to 2 seconds. On lap 5 the times were dead equal on 3:29. Dave must have tired on his final 3 laps as through 6 and 7 Geoff put further seconds in cutting Dave's splits. By lap 8 Geoff a full 6 seconds ahead finishing in 5:31.39. Thus ended Dave's dominant 7 year run.
The race has now been won 7 times by 3 skiers. Dave Owens most recently, Cliff Featherstone in the 1970's and Geoff Watson between 1994 and 2018.
Anne kindly covered the filming of the heats. It was also good to see ex star skier Tommy Richardson spectating from the side along with the Paul & Pauline Struthers.
Results with splits are below.
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| The Winner! |
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| The frostbite trophy |
