The Streaker Southern Area Open Meeting Season began with a trip to Greensforge, north of Birmingham which required getting up at 5am, leaving home at 6am and finally arriving at the club after a 3.3/4 hour drive – including a couple of comfort stops.
Calf Heath reservoir is a small lake with trees on three sides and the breezes are either light and fickle or strong and gusty. Sunday was the former and regrettably the fleet was conspicuous by its lack of numbers, there being only five boats, two from the club and three visitors.
For the first race there was a little breeze (force 1-2) and Ian Bradley (Ouse A S C) led off the line to the first mark near the clubhouse and slowly began to pull away from the rest. It was here that the second boat, helmed by Peter Baker (Greensforge) firstly tried to round it on the wrong side – taking Alan Simmons (Lancing) with him – and then hit it. Alan untangled himself, rounded correctly and set off in pursuit of Ian.
The breeze eased off and became very fickle in strength and direction which saw Gary Hogan (Haversham) catch and pass Alan although not for long before the positions were reversed again.
Sam Frost-Huskinson (Greensforge- youth sailor) was having his first sail in a Streaker but not enjoying the conditions and sadly bringing up the rear.
Ian.B was the runaway winner of race 1 and started race two, after the lunch break, in front place again. Alan.S found a breezeless hole at the start and was left floundering, he did manage to get into third spot but far too far behind Gary.H to make any impression and as the breeze died away to almost nothing was lapped by Ian. B.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the RO decided to shorten the course and call all ashore. Regretably the breeze then disappeared completely and it was concluded that no further racing was possible.
Having had a short rain shower on the way up, via the M23,M25,M40, M42 and M6, it seemed to rain all the way back home although the sun had shone throughout the sailing bit.
Results:-
1st.Ian Bradley, 2nd. Gary Hogan, 3rd. Alan Simmons, 4th, Peter Baker, 5th Sam Frost-Huskisson.
There is a full (official) report on the Greensforge web site ( http://www.greensforge.org/) including Pictures and some video clips, no pics here - Bett forgot to take her Camera!
Alan.S 1700
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