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