To open the 1999 Frostbite season (11/7), your reporter asked the longtime devotee Bob Kirtland for a message. Here it is:

"Like all good competitive sports, Frostbite sailing is exciting and fun. It is by no means relaxing, but it is refreshingly different from your regular activities. I have been racing these small dinghies in the winter on Manhasset Bay (and occasionally in Manhasset Bay) for over 30 years, and have enjoyed every minute of it. There is a fine spirit of camaraderie among the contestants and we invite others to join us. If you want to try it, call Phillip Mitropoulos, 718-225-8774."

Unfortunately, weather conditions did not permit racing on 11/7. One expert said "too gusty." One skipper had planned to race with his almost 10-year-old son.

* Catching up with Pedro Lorson: Over Sept. 6-12, he scored 29th of 57 boats in the SNIPE world championship. Watt Duffy of New Orleans substituted for Mimi Lorson Berry as crew. The venue was Santiago Delaribera, Spain.

* On Saturday (10/23) and Sunday (10/24) of the second Fall Series weekend, brisk northwesterly winds made for fine sailing. Results were published on Oct. 28. Watching the boats return to the MBYC mooring area, spectators could not help seeing a fleet of Optis having a regatta on the west side of the bay. A qualified local sailor said the boats were 12 of the about 40 boats of the Cow Harbor Sailing Team, from "all over the place," organized by a group of parents who want to provide good coaching all year round. To indicate their skill the informant mentioned third place in a Northeast championship of 150 boats and third in an Atlantic Coast event. With the boats in our bay were two coaches.

* 1999 CBCA Series Summary Results:

Div. III: 1-Sundance, 2-Serenity, 3-Eden, 4-Delusions, 5-N Joy 11. Non-Qualifier (1).

Div. II: 1-Tootsie, 2-Happy Daze 11, 3-Quicker, 4-Irish Blessing, 5-Beowulf, 6-Mac, 7-Rascal, 8-Valinor. Non Qualifiers (2).

Div. I: 1-Avalanche, 2-X-cite, 3-Donna J, 4-Promise Kept, 5-Vision. Non-Qualifiers (4).