Sunday 27 June 2010

Streaker Southern Area Champs - Broxbourne- 26/06/2010

Not quite such an early start – 7.30am – to try to get through the road works on the M25. Just north of the Dartford Tunnel until just past the M11 turn off they are widening the road with the compulsory speed restrictions. Fortunately they still have all three lanes in each direction fully open. We took a turn off before our usual one – this time past Waltham Abbey – through the countryside. Almost at Broxbourne we took a wrong turn and finding ourselves on an unfamiliar route we had to back track.

It was red hot sun and blue skies and just a whisper of breeze but by the start of the first race it had built to a decent force three. But, as it turned out, very shifty and inconstant in direction and strength.
Of the fourteen competitors it was Frank Catt (downs SC) who got the break off the line and although hotly pursued by Ian Parish (Stewartby) and Ian Bradley (Ouse ACS). By the finish it was still Frank.C but Ian Bradley had pulled through to second place. Although I had a fairly average start and not a brilliant first lap I managed to pull up to finish Fourth with quite a gap to fifth placed M. Wayland (Broxbourne S C)
A break was then taken for lunch after which the next two races were to be back to back. The wind had built a little in strength for race two and this time it was Ian.B who quickly climbed into top spot with Frank.C and Ian.P both dicing it out behind. On the leg across the top of the water the gusts were sometimes enough to plane in. This time I got quite a good start and finished the race again in fourth place with Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) behind me in fifth.
For the final race the breeze was even a touch stronger and it was Ian.B who was soon in the lead and soon established a considerable lead ahead of Ian.P. I managed to hold onto third spot for a few laps before Frank.C passed me and then he went on to catch Ian.P. I held onto 4th position until the final lap when I miss read the shifts and let Gary.H and also P.Selway (Broxbourne) – both of whom had been harrying me – pass and thus I had a 6th place to discard.


Results: - 1st.Ian Bradley, 2nd. Frank Catt, 3rd. Ian Parish, 4th. Alan Simmons (and 1st Master), 5th. Gary Hogan, 6th. P Selway, 7th. M Wayland, 8th.Bill Strange, 9th. Geoff Town, 10th I.Nash, 11th. Primrose.Salt (and 1st Lady Helm), 12th. J. Wolsoncroft, 13th. A.Smith, 14th. N.Hayes.

A very pleasant sail, extremely hot, but perfectly organised by the club – for which my gratefull thanks. There were a few shouts on the water and Ian.B and Frank C had a near coming together at one of the marks in race one which resulted in Frank doing turns. I think it was the final race when I got a shift/gust near a mark, hit it and had to quickly turn around and there was one noticed capsize plus a reed job. Otherwise it seemed to be a well behaved fleet.
Now it is back to sea sailing for a week or so then off to Bosham and swishing tides. This is yet another new venue this year and for those who know it right next door to Cobnor.

Alan.S 1700

Sunday 20 June 2010

Streaker open at Ouse ASC 19/06/2010

Bett and I with boat in tow left home at noon for the trip up the M25, M11, A14 and A10 to Saddlebow the home of Ouse ASC dinghy racing. There were road works on the M25 north of the Dartford tunnel and we crept along. We stopped for a short convenience break at the Services at Bishop Strortford which was packed to the gills and took us 20 minutes from the main road to a parking space. We finally arrived on site and began to set up camp to be joined in about ten minutes by Gary Hogan from Haversham and later in the evening by Ian Bradley from the home club (and now it’s Sailing Sec).

It was blowing old boots and cold with it so whilst those two went off for Fish and Chips in Kings Lynn Bett and I esconced ourselves in the club house with the Daily Telegraph and a good book. We hit the hay about 11.00pm and tried to sleep but the noise (wind on tent) was horrendous – even with my deaf ear uppermost – and we both had little sleep.
Saturday dawned grey and still very windy. Age does bring a small dose of wisdom – when it is wiser to stay ashore and watch the toughies, the chancers and the not too sures – so I waited to see if it would ease a bit after lunch. It did not so I never even entred the event.
Ian.B and Gary.H were joined on the water by Nick Lovell (also from Ouse ASC) for the first race of the event which was held jointly with the Supernova Class – of whom there were some 11 entrants.
I mention these fellows as there were quite a few upside down before the start and the rest were all a bit anxious to get things going - in their haste caused a general recall on their first aborted start. As a result when the Streaker start came on line, Nick was half way down the cut and still waiting for the Supernova start. Ian was the only one near the line and frantically waving to Nick who took no notice – he was too far away. Gary may well have been having second thoughts but he crossed the line to start the beat to the top mark near the sluice and then passed it on the wrong side.
Nick finally got going, by which time he was half a lap behind Ian. It did not help that he too went the wrong side of the mark but half way back to the start/finish line he saw the error of his ways, turned back and rounded correctly.
I am not sure if it was on the first or second lap that Ian.B pulled off an impressive capsize at the bottom gybe mark, turned turtle and even lost his mast head burgee. Nick saw this happening and could not believe his luck, not only catching up but even passing Ian to win the race.
The course must have been a nightmare to sail, not only crossing all the Supernovas – well those left not upside down or stuck in the reeds. The wind was good top end force four and huge gusts kept charging down the cut in all sorts of different angles. There were even white horses on the water most of the time.
After lunch, heroically served up by the ladies in the canteen initially without the gas cooker (who’s incoming gas supply pipe had been stolen) the wind – to my mind – was no less vigorous and Bett and I decided to call it a day. We saw the second start in which Ian was just ahead but to leeward of Nick just before we left. Ian tells me that Nick won this and the subsequent final race. Gary.H bravely also went afloat for these two afternoon races and started but regetably finished none during the day. His tenacity is to be praised, he is not exactly an experienced Streaker sailor – I wonder if he had second thoughts at the end of the day.
We should have gone, on Sunday, to Hunstanton. I am subsequently advised that (in line with the previous day’s forcast) it was blowing at least force five and there were heavy breakers on the beach and the meeting was abandoned before any one went afloat. I think I made the right decision to come home early – and not have to face another windy/noisy night in the tent.
I however went to Lancing and sailed in four races in a force 3 to 4 – a beautiful planning reach parallel with the beach in the first two races before lunch which I managed to win from a fleet largely composed of Lasers. After lunch I was beaten in both races by a Laser 4.7, in one on the water and could only get a 3rd and 4th spot.
Next Saturday it is off again, this time to Broxbourne, for the Streaker Southern Area Champs.

Alan.S 1700

Wednesday 16 June 2010

2010 Streaker Nationals - Stewartby

A three hour drive from Hove – should have been 2.5 but for the road works on then M1 and then again on the A 421 had a 40mph limit whilst they build the adjacent new high speed link to Bedford. It was raining when we left home – Sussex had more rain overnight Thursday/Friday than in April and May put together. By the time Bett and I got north of the Thames on the M25 the rain had ceased however and it was a straight forward run through. The lake at Stewartby is normally split in half for sailing and power boat/ski boat use but this weekend we had the use of the entire water area, plus plenty of room for the boats, cars and the tents/motor caravans.
On arrival we were not sure how many entrants there might be but it turned out that there would be 48 competitors. This is a pretty good turn out for a southerly event, with the greatest concentration of boats in the north – well north of Birmingham – but a decided lack of enthusiasm for travelling south – there was however at least one guy from Scotland however.
Day one (Friday 11th June) was listed as a training event and about a dozen boats took to the water with Ian Bradley – the departing Hon Sec – taking charge rather than Steve Cockerill who for his pains was nursing a broken hand from a recent Mountain bike accident.
I was busy measuring sails, mostly Pinnel and Bax brand – and even managed to measure Steve C’s boat and sail. Nobody asked me if there was a charge, well there wasn’t but I would hope that all those concerned (even if I did not mention it at the time) would make a small donation to the RNLI.
In the early evening we had the AGM which I will not go into except to repeat the fact that no one has been elected as Hon Sec following Ian Bradley now standing down. Details of that and the official reports (sailing too) will appear on the Streaker web site very shortly.
At the end of the day the bar was open – with the ‘Footie TV show’ for those interested and the canteen going great guns with a goodly choice of food available. For those camping the the glorious sunset belied the serious drop in temperature that was to follow leaving all shivering. Those who had chosen to slum it at the Holiday Inn or Travel Lodge were gloating Saturday morning!

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and with a nice little breeze – about force three – blowing from the north east – across the shortest span of the water. Three races were planned, one before lunch and then two back to back in the afternoon. Race one went off like clockwork, on time, with Tom Gillard leading almost from the gun off the somewhat congested start line. Surprise second boat – perhaps even to himself – was Michael Hines (from Deben) ahead of last year’s (and the year before) National Champ, Steve Cockerill.

Race two, after lunch, on an almost identical course started with a general recall and in the subsequent starting period a number of boats were disqualified for being in the prohibited area. Again it was Tom Gillard who had the speed and ability to extricate himself from the line and establish yet another unassailable lead. He was literally streets in front of the second placed Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) and third man Ian Jones (Dovestone) even before the finish.
Race three back to back with the previous saw Tom Gillard pull out ahead yet again. This time he led from Ian Jones and Chris Catt and finished with yet another considerable margin.
On this first day of the competiton proper my personal performance was not exactly outstanding with a 29th and two 22nd placings – still worse was yet to come – the breeze was constantly changing in pressure and direction and I always seemed to be on the wrong side of the breeze/course unable to accurately read the shifts.
Did you see (and hear) the Helicopter paying Stewartby a visit? Later in the day one of the occupants, Bett’s nephew (with wife and youngest daughter) come over to see us at the club.
Saturday evening we had a Hog Roast – the real hot pig – provided by outside professional caterers, luverly grub! This was followed by more Footie TV in the bar and music for dancing or listening in the main club room. As a final ‘treat’ we had a ‘Nursery Rhyme’ quiz in the bar.
Sunday dawned almost breathless and with a good shower of rain which made us all apprehensive as to the day’s sailing. Once afloat for the racing a little breeze did fill in but from about 180 degrees from Saturday’s but at under force 2.

Race 4 got underway with Tom Gillard showing yet again his dominance of the fleet and taking yet another top gun place with Ian Jones yet again in second and Chris Catt third. Steve Cockerill had his worst race of the weekend so far finishing 15th.
The last and final race, sailed back to back, commenced with another general recall. The strength did increase to about force 3 but it was very shifty and patchy in strength. Would you believe it Tom Gillard was out in front again in no time and it was the same duo – Ian Jones and Chris Catt who filled the next two spots. Steve Cockerill was fifth with his broken wrist obviously having its effect but all praise to him for attempting to defend his champion status.
So that was it for the racing, a splendid National Championship, all five planned races sailed, good courses, terrific organisation with trolley ‘dollies’ ( M & F), lovely food and drink (nice an inexpensive) good weather (bright and mostly sunny), loads of room for camping and parking. All at Stewartby Water Sports deserve a well earned vote of thanks for an excellent event. Even the wind was reasonable – well at an inland venue it is always going to be a bit more variable and most of the competitors were inland sailors anyway. Every one participating in the event seemed to thoroughly enjoy the weekend – especially Graham Butler who had recently purchased my previous boat 1567 and carried a grin of pleasure from ear to ear all the time.
I heard of only one rule infringement of any consequence during the racing when a Port tacker called for water, resulting in a few bumps the outgoing Hon Sec got pulled into that but presumably the offender's error was pointed out and he took his penalty – the were no protest meeting that I am aware of.
Congratulations go to Tom Gillard for an impeccable series with a pole positon result in every race and to the runner up, Ian Jones, never out of the top three and also to third overall placed Chris Catt for a similarly consistent set of results. My results were somewhat poorer and I just managed to scrape into 26th position overall, I had hoped to get into the top 20 or so.
A visit to the nationals gives one a chance to meet up with old friends who one sees at the various open meetings during the year – most of whom know me by name (and repute – infamous) but whom I just cannot recall their names. I apologise to any Streaker sailors I know by sight but fail to correctly address.
Next weekend there are two more consecutive days of sailing , at Ouse ASC (near Kings Lynn) and then at Hunstanton on the Wash and the weekend after that there is the Streaker Southerns at Broxbourne – if I can survive all that travelling.

Alan.S 1700

2010 Streaker National Championships - Stewartby

A three hour drive from Hove – should have been 2.5 but for the road works on then M1 and then again on the A 421 had a 40mph limit whilst they build the adjacent new high speed link to Bedford. It was raining when we left home – Sussex had more rain overnight Thursday/Friday than in April and May put together. By the time Bett and I got north of the Thames on the M25 the rain had ceased however and it was a straight forward run through. The lake at Stewartby is normally split in half for sailing and power boat/ski boat use but this weekend we had the use of the entire water area, plus plenty of room for the boats, cars and the tents/motor caravans. On arrival we were not sure how many entrants there might be but it turned out that there would be 48 competitors. This is a pretty good turn out for a southerly event, with the greatest concentration of boats in the north – well north of Birmingham – but a decided lack of enthusiasm for travelling south – there was however at least one guy from Scotland however.
Day one (Friday 11th June) was listed as a training event and about a dozen boats took to the water with Ian Bradley – the departing Hon Sec – taking charge rather than Steve Cockerill who for his pains was nursing a broken hand from a recent Mountain bike accident.
I was busy measuring sails, mostly Pinnel and Bax brand – and even managed to measure Steve C’s boat and sail. Nobody asked me if there was a charge, well there wasn’t but I would hope that all those concerned (even if I did not mention it at the time) would make a small donation to the RNLI.
In the early evening we had the AGM which I will not go into except to repeat the fact that no one has been elected as Hon Sec following Ian Bradley now standing down. Details of that and the official reports (sailing too) will appear on the Streaker web site very shortly.
At the end of the day the bar was open – with the ‘Footie TV show’ for those interested and the canteen going great guns with a goodly choice of food available. For those camping the the glorious sunset belied the serious drop in temperature that was to follow leaving all shivering. Those who had chosen to slum it at the Holiday Inn or Travel Lodge were gloating Saturday morning!

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and with a nice little breeze – about force three – blowing from the north east – across the shortest span of the water. Three races were planned, one before lunch and then two back to back in the afternoon. Race one went off like clockwork, on time, with Tom Gillard leading almost from the gun off the somewhat congested start line. Surprise second boat – perhaps even to himself – was Michael Hines (from Deben) ahead of last year’s (and the year before) National Champ, Steve Cockerill.
Race two, after lunch, on an almost identical course started with a general recall and in the subsequent starting period a number of boats were disqualified for being in the prohibited area. Again it was Tom Gillard who had the speed and ability to extricate himself from the line and establish yet another unassailable lead. He was literally streets in front of the second placed Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) and third man Ian Jones (Dovestone) even before the finish.
Race three back to back with the previous saw Tom Gillard pull out ahead yet again. This time he led from Ian Jones and Chris Catt and finished with yet another considerable margin.
On this first day of the competiton proper my personal performance was not exactly outstanding with a 29th and two 22nd placings – still worse was yet to come – the breeze was constantly changing in pressure and direction and I always seemed to be on the wrong side of the breeze/course unable to accurately read the shifts.
Did you see (and hear) the Helicopter paying Stewartby a visit? Later in the day one of the occupants, Bett’s nephew (with wife and youngest daughter) come over to see us at the club.
Saturday evening we had a Hog Roast – the real hot pig – provided by outside professional caterers, luverly grub! This was followed by more Footie TV in the bar and music for dancing or listening in the main club room. As a final ‘treat’ we had a ‘Nursery Rhyme’ quiz in the bar.
Sunday dawned almost breathless and with a good shower of rain which made us all apprehensive as to the day’s sailing. Once afloat for the racing a little breeze did fill in but from about 180 degrees from Saturday’s but at under force 2.
Race 4 got underway with Tom Gillard showing yet again his dominance of the fleet and taking yet another top gun place with Ian Jones yet again in second and Chris Catt third. Steve Cockerill had his worst race of the weekend so far finishing 15th.
The last (5th) and final race, sailed back to back, commenced with another general recall. The strength did increase to about force 3 but it was very shifty and patchy in strength. Would you believe it Tom Gillard was out in front again in no time and it was the same duo – Ian Jones and Chris Catt who filled the next two spots. Steve Cockerill was fifth with his broken wrist obviously having its effect but all praise to him for attempting to defend his champion status.

So that was it for the racing, a splendid National Championship, all five planned races sailed, good courses, terrific organisation with trolley ‘dollies’ ( M & F), lovely food and drink (nice an inexpensive) good weather (bright and mostly sunny), loads of room for camping and parking. All at Stewartby Water Sports deserve a well earned vote of thanks for an excellent event. Even the wind was reasonable – well at an inland venue it is always going to be a bit more variable and most of the competitors were inland sailors anyway. Every one participating in the event seemed to thoroughly enjoy the weekend – especially Graham Butler who had recently purchased my previous boat 1567 and carried a grin of pleasure from ear to ear all the time.
I heard of only one rule infringement of any consequence during the racing when a Port tacker called for water, resulting in a few bumps but presaumably his error was pointed out and he took his penalty – the were no protest meeting that I am aware of.

Congratulations go to Tom Gillard for an impeccable series for pole positon results in every race and to the runner up, Ian Jones, never out of the top three and also to third overall placed Chris Catt for a similarly consistent set of results
A visit to the nationals gives one a chance to meet up with old friends who one sees at the various open meetings during the year – most of whom know me by name (and repute – infamous) but whom I just cannot recall their names. I apologise to any Streaker sailors I know by sight but fail to correctly address.
Next weekend there are two more consecutive days of sailing , at Ouse ASC (near Kings Lynn) and then at Hunstanton on the Wash and the weekend after that there is the Streaker Southerns at Broxbourne – if I can survive all that travelling.

Alan.S 1700