Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 4 - 29th Jan 2012

Mostly overcast but with the odd clear blue patches and an occasional burst of sunshine during the drive down to Piddinghoe this morning. On arrival what little breeze there was seemed to be coming from the north corner (fisherman’s bay) of the pond occasionally reaching a ‘good’ force 2.

Kay set a ‘w’ shaped course with the start off the clubhouse and a beat to the north corner. A gybe followed with a run back towards the flag pole and then another beat towards the middle of the east bank. After another gybe it was southwards to a mark in the middle of the pond, off the north side of the island. Finally it was back towards the east bank, another windward leg, and around the east side of the island with a long reach back along the southern shore to the start mark.
Ten boats took to the water and at the start it was Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) first across the line and heading for the west shore. Just a touch further back
But closer inshore was Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC). Nearer the pin end were
Julian Dobson (Laser full rig, NSSC) and just to leeward was Alan.Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) whilst Louis Gorringe (Laser Radial, NSSC) was just astern of Julian.

Alan.S foresaw a lack of breeze and a boat clutter about to occur near the bank and , fortunately with a little more speed, was able to tack in front of Julian, onto port and head further out towards the centre of the pond. Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC) had started a bit late but had a clear path to the port tack side and was out in front and tacked early to round the top mark. He then tacked on the inside of Matt.S but both were held to account as Alan.S came in on Starboard tack at the mark and claimed water in which to gybe in front.
Laurence.V and Paul.R both caught up with Alan on the ensuing run and both passed him on the ensuing beat and began to draw away. Paul and Laurence continued to have a battle royal for the first four laps, closing up and stretching out from 5 to 17 seconds apart until Paul finally got through in lap 5. For the last three laps their time differential was 5 then 16 and finally 3 seconds apart.

Behind these two Alan.S and Matt.S were also having a duel but with Alan staying ahead until the last lap. Their time differential varied from 3 to 31 seconds and at the finish Matt was just 3 seconds in front.
Further back down the fleet from these four front runners the excitement was initially between Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) and Julian.D. Michael managed to hit a mark in lap 1 and while doing his turns also manage to hit Julian. Just to add to Julian’s discomfort he subsequently lost the outboard mainsheet block from his boom when the rivets failed in the same lap forcing him to retire.

A contest  developed between Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC) and Michael.V but it was Darren who came out on top slowly pulling away from the spinnaker powered pair in the RS 200, the gap starting at about 1 minute and ending at 3 minutes.
Bill Wates (Laser full rig) had a slow start with a tenth place at the end of the first lap but then gained a bit of momentum to pull up to 7th on the water , ahead of Louis.G and Dan Ford and Becca Gibson (Magno, NSSC) by the end of lap 4. Dan still cannot get the speed from his charge even though it carries quite a good sail area but the hull weight is considerable for its length.
Results (Unofficial, Unchecked) :-
1st, Laurence Venus, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd. Paul Ryan, 4th.Matt Springhall, 5th. Darren Field, 6th. Louis Gorringe, 7th. Bill Wates, 8th. Michael Veale, 9th. Dan Ford,
Julian Dobson retires (hurt!)
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 3 - 22 nd Jan 2012

Before breakfast the sky was mostly blue but on our trip over to Piddinghoe half an hour later it was a grey sky with the odd patch of blue. The breeze was from the west and on arrival at the pond a good force 3 with stronger gusts.
Kay set a course with an initial beat from the flagpole area to the mark in the corner by the clubhouse and then a broad reach to the north east corner with a gybe to a mark mid way along the eastern shore. There then followed a beat back to the start mark and after rounding a very broad reach back to the east side. After that it was a close reach behind the island and then a long beat, through the start line, to the corner mark finish line.
Windguru’s forcast of force 4, 5 and then 6 at noon before dropping back to force 4 in the afternoon obviously put off a few folk as only four hardies turned out.
Michael Veale and Mike Rosier in their RS 200 (NSSC), Jack Turner and James Bovington in their Laser II (NSSC) – repaired after Mum and Dad’s breakages of last week - Roger McAll in his full rig Laser (Pevensey Bay) and Alan Simmons in his Streaker (Lancing).

At the start Michael.V was just behind Alan.S and both heading for the bank, whilst Roger. McA was a bit closer to the pin and Jack.T was even closer . Michael.V had his bows just ahead of Alan and forced the latter to tack off when calling for water on the bankside. Roger meanwhile had already tacked and was first off onto the reach. Alan caught a nice gust or two and passed Roger on this leg whilst Michael used his spinnaker to pass the pair and Jack closed up behind, passing Roger after the gybe. Roger then rolled it in and with no wet or dry suit clothing decided that he would soon get very cold. After help from the safety boat he headed back to shore and took no further part in the event.

Michael nearly tipped the RS 200 in on the following beat – he had already had a swim before the race started – but recovered only to be overtaken by Jack. Michael and Jack had a good battle thereafter with Jack managing to hit the start mark at the end of the sausage leg – and do a 360 degree turn – in lap two. Jack also managed to get stuck in irons as he rounded the finish mark at the end of In lap 6, but he did finish ahead of Michael. Michael did capsize after all in lap 7 over on the east side (where Roger had his dip) and allowed Alan to catch up.

Alan survived the race in an almost entirely upright mode, the sudden vicious gusts – up to a good force 5 and above the average force 4 – not withstanding he had a few near misses. At the finish he was just 2 minutes behind the Laser II and a minute and a quarter behind the RS 200 beating both well on handicap.

It was a tough but enjoyable race for all three finishers, pity more had not ignored the forcast and come down for a sail. The actual weather at the pond is the only information one needs. If you can see white water and waves breaking (usually) on the eastern shore it might just be a little too hairy to venture out – unless you are young, very healthy and probably a trifle mad!
Results (Unofficial, Unchecked) :-
1st. Alan Simmons, 2nd Michael Veale, 3rd. Jack Turner, Retired – Roger McAll and OOD, Chas Humphries.
Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Elford Numbum Race 2 - 15th January 2012

A nice bright shiny morning, Pale blue, almost cloudless skies and a hint of breeze from the south east – not had that even in the Freeman Iceberg series.

Kay (RO) set the course,  starting near the main flagpole with a beat (almost make it in one) down to the southeat corner followed by a short run behind the island. The next leg was a broad reach back to the start mark, a gybe and a close reach back to a mark halfway along the eastern side. Another gybe and then after turning a mark in the far north corner it was a close reach/loose beat back past the club before off down the southern side again.
The breeze was up to a good force 4 by the time all ten boats got on the water but thankfully it was not quite as gusty as usual. The line was a bit shorter than it has been of late but four boats were right there at the gun with Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC) getting the jump on Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) to windward and Alex Mills Barton (Laser full rig,NSSC) to leeward with Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) even a bit further to leeward.

Close at hand to these four were Roger McAll (Laser full rig,Pevensey Bay SC) and Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC)

 All and those following made it safely down the first leg, around the gybe at the bottom and along the short run. On broad reach Alex.M B planed past Paul.R taking a lead  which he held to the finish – at the end of the 10^th lap he was 4 minutes ahead of Paul.R. There was a scrap throughout the race between Paul.R and Matt.S –at the end of lap7 they were just 4 seconds apart after 45 minutes racing.

At the end of the first beat in lap two Roger.Mc managed to capsize at the gybe mark just ahead of Alan.S  Alan seeing the event happen just before he himself had to gybe enquired if Roger was OK only to be told ‘No I need assistance’. Alan broke off and managed to get hold of the Laser’s mast and up right the boat but Roger could not hold it and it capsized again this time putting the mast head in the mud. Alan had nothing to get hold of but awaited the arrival of the Safety boat from the north end of the pond whilst Roger stood on the plate. When said safety boat arrived Alan continued his race but by that time in 10^th place on the water.

At the end of lap 2 Steve and Penelope Duncan (Fireball, NSSC) had moved into 4^th place behind Matt.S. Darren. F was still ahead of Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) with Chris and Carolyn Turner (LaserII, NSCC) tucked in behind them. Bringing up the rear were Chas Humpries and Bill Wates – both in Laser full rigs from the home club – with Alan.S by then behind them.

In lap 3 Bill Wates got a bit lost on the course and had to undo the situation dropping him behind Alan.S.  In lap 7 Matt.S managed to hit the ‘original’ start mark and then in lap 8 to miss it completely. Since the mark was part of the course, according to the RO, he was disqualified. Also in lap 7 Chris and Carolyn.T suffered a block coming loose on the boom and had to retire.

As Alan.S was on his way down the south side of the pond on his 10^th lap he spotted Paul.R returning from the bottom mark with his sail looking rather sad and as he got closer observed Paul’s top mast section to fold gently forwards – he looked rather like an ‘Anhinga’ – a bird some like our Heron but which lives in the Florida everglades and hunts by folding its wings forwards over it head and body rather like an umbrella.

At some point in the race, the writer is not quite sure when, Bill.W capsized and punched the top of his mast into the mud. He said would not have had a good sail on the pond if he had finished the race with a clean sail.

On calculating the results the RO awarded Alan.S  redress for his part in Roger Mc’s Laser ‘rescue’ in the form of a deduction of some 3 minutes. Nowhere near enough to catch Alex but sufficient to give him a second place.

Results (Unofficial, Unchecked):-

1^st. Alex Mills-Barton, 2^nd. Alan Simmons, 3^rd. Darren Field, 4^th.Michael Veale, 5^th. Steve Duncan, 6^th. Chas Humphries, 7^th. Bill Wates.

After conclusion of the Race the Freeman Iceberg Trophy was presented by John Freeman to his son Jonty. Due to mix up and computer failure the trophy had been incorrectly presented to Eddie Thorburn. When the results of the last Iceberg race had been entered in the Sailwave program and whilst the two competitors had equal points Jonty had a better placing in the final race of that series.

Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Elford Numbum Race 1 - 8th January 2012

It was grey overcast (high Thin Cloud) as we left home for Piddinghoe with just the hint of a breeze from the north but thankfully not cold.

Kay (RO) set a course starting with a short beat from near the flagpole to the north west corner by the clubhouse with a close reach along the north shore to the north east corner. After a gybe there was a run to a mark half way along the eastern shore and then a close reach behind the island to the south east corner. From here there was a windward leg to a mark mid way along the north shore turning onto a reach back to the start mark and finally a short beat to the finish off the clubhouse.
Some seventeen boats went onto the water although one, a Mirror, did not participate in the racing. Although it was a good length line (for the Pond) it was full to capacity at the start but unfortunately nearly everybody was over and Kay called a general recall.

At the second start Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) was first off the blocks but just a bit too early and over the line again next was Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC) a little closer inshore - unfortunately he too was over the line and had to return to start correctly. Up near the pin end were Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) with Roger McAll (Laser full rig, BexhillSC) a tad further down the line was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig,Hardway SC)

Behind the group at the pin end was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) who crossed the line and then tacked off on port to get clear of the inshore boats. It paid off as when he tacked back onto starboard he made the mark in fifth place behind Rupert.S,  Michael.V,  Paul.R and Roger.Mc. In the ensuing lap Rupert.S pulled away and established a firm lead – a position he then held until the finish. Paul.R also passed the RS200 of Michael.V who was being closely persued by Alan.S with Laurence.V not far behind him.
By the end of lap 3 the order was Rupert.S, Paul.R, Laurence.V and then Alan.S. Matt.S had managed to get back into the race and finished this lap on the same time as Roger.Mc both behind this group. In the light breeze – rarely above a force 2 – Michael.V and, in spite of using his spinnaker on the offwind legs, dropped back to 8^th on the water and finished the race in that position.

Matt.S and Roger.Mc had some close combat during the race as did Paul.R, Laurence.V and  Alan.S with Paul.R passing Alan.S again in lap 7.
Further back down the fleet Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Howard Minter – in his first Piddinghoe venture - (Laser full rig, NSSC) were in constant tussels with Michael.V also envolved. Bill.W had the most noteworty event of the race befall him in lap 6 when he hit a mark. Whilst doing the relevant 360 degree turn – as he thought, incorrectly, around the mark – he hit it for a second time and did another 360. The effect of all this pirouetting dropped him from 7th in lap 5 to 12th by the finish. A little further back still Chris Turner (Laser Radial, NSSC) ,with the reduced sail area, was initially sparing with Alice Smith but by lap 6 he had started to climb up from 13th  to finally finish as 9th on the water.

Dan Ford(NSSC) gamely sailed his Magno without his usual crew Becca  but the lesser crew weight did not help much with the overall speed. A certain Ben Ford (NSSC) was sailing a mirror single handed and without a jib which must have been incredibly slow and probably why he retired in lap 2.
The two Laser IIs of Jack Turner crewed by James Bovington and Alice Smith with Sasha Stonard (all of NSSC) did not find the conditions to their liking – a Laser II needs a bit of breeze to get it going. Alice finished ahead of Jack in spite of the latter flying his spinnaker during the race.

Sailing all alone without any direct competition Carolyn Turner in an un-numbered Pico gamely completed 5 laps in the unsuitable light breezes – like the Laser IIs the Pico like a bit of wind – but regrettably was still place 15^th and last. Would a jib here have helped, well perhaps a tad and might have gained one place.
At the finish the order, of the top group, was Rupert.S, Laurence.V, Paul.R, Alan.S, Matt.S (just one second behind) and then Roger.Mc.  Once the handicaps had been applied the two Streakers (on their club reduced handicaps of 1148) had still come out in front.

Results (Unchecked,Unapproved) :-

1^st. Laurence Venus, 2^nd. Alan Simmons, 3^rd. Rupert Smith, 4^th. Paul Ryan, 5^th Matt Springhall, 6^th. Roger Mcall, 7^th. Chris Turner, 8^th.Julian Dobson, 9^th. Howard Minter,

10^th. Bill Wates, 11^th Michael Veale, 12^th Dan Ford, 13^th.Alice Smith, 14^th. Jack Turner, 15^th Carolyn Turner. 16^th Ben Ford (Retired).

Alan.S 1700.

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Streaker Ramblings- Numbum Series - Race 1 - 08/01/2012

It was grey overcast (high Thin Cloud) as we left home for Piddinghoe with just the hint of a breeze from the north.

Kay (RO) set a course starting with a short beat from near the flagpole to the north west corner by the clubhouse with a close reach along the north shore to the north east corner. After a gybe there was a run to a mark half way along the eastern shore and then a close reach behind the island to the south east corner. From here there was a windward leg to a mark mid way along the north shore turning onto a reach back to the start mark and finally a short beat to the finish off the clubhouse.

Some seventeen boats went onto the water although one, a Mirror, did not participate in the racing. Although it was a good length line (for the Pond) it was full to capacity at the start but unfortunately nearly everybody was over and Kay called a general recall. At the second start Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) was first off the blocks but just a bit too early and over the line again next was Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC) a little closer inshore. Up near the pin end were Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) with Roger McAll (Laser full rig, BexhillSC) a tad further down the line was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig,Hardway SC)

Behind the group at the pin end was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) who crossed the line and then tacked off on port to get clear of the inshore boats. It paid off as when he tacked back onto starboard he made the mark in fifth place behind Rupert.S,  Michael.V,  Paul.R and Roger.Mc. In the ensuing lap Rupert.S pulled away and established a firm lead – a position he then held until the finish. Paul.R also passed the RS200 of Michael.V who was being closely persued by Alan.S with Laurence.V not far behind him.

By the end of lap 3 the order was Rupert.S, Paul.R, Laurence.V and then Alan.S. Matt.S had managed to get back into the race and finished this lap on the same time as Roger.Mc both behind this group. In the light breeze – rarely above a force 2 – Michael.V and, in spite of using his spinnaker on the offwind legs, dropped back to 8^th on the water and finished the race in that position. Matt.S and Roger.Mc had some close combat during the race as did Paul.R, Laurence.V and  Alan.S with Paul.R passing Alan.S again in lap 7.

Further back down the fleet Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Howard Minter – in his first Piddinghoe venture - (Laser full rig, NSSC) were in constant tussels with Michael.V also envolved. Bill.W had the most noteworty event of the race befall him in lap 6 when he hit a mark. Whilst doing the relevant 360 degree turn – as he thought, incorrectly, around the mark – he hit it for a second time and did another 360. The effect of all this pirouetting dropped him from 7th in lap 5 to 12thby the finish.

Dan Ford(NSSC) gamely sailed his Magno without his usual crew Becca  but the lesser crew weight did not help much with the overall speed. A certain Ben Ford (NSSC) was sailing a mirror single handed and without a jib which must have been incredibly slow and probably why he retired in lap 2.

The two Laser IIs of Jack Turner crewed by James Bovington and Alice Smith with Sasha Stonard (all of NSSC) did not find the conditions to their liking – a Laser II needs a bit of breeze to get it going. Alice finished ahead of Jack in spite of the latter flying his spinnaker during the race.

Sailing all alone without any direct competition Carolyn Turner in an un-numbered Pico gamely completed 5 laps in the unsuitable light breezes – like the Laser IIs the Pico like a bit of wind – but regrettably was still place 15^th and last. Would a jib here have helped, well perhaps a tad and might have gained one place.

At the finish the order, of the top group, was Rupert.S, Laurence.V, Paul.R, Alan.S, Matt.S (just one second behind) and then Roger.Mc.  Once the handicaps had been applied the two Streakers (on their club reduced handicaps of 1148) had still come out in front.

Results (Unchecked,Unapproved) :-

1^st. Laurence Venus, 2^nd. Alan Simmons, 3^rd. Rupert Smith, 4^th. Paul Ryan, 5^th Matt Springhall, 6^th. Roger Mcall, 7^th. Chris Turner, 8^th.Julian Dobson, 9^th. Howard Minter,

10^th. Bill Wates, 11^th Michael Veale, 12^th Dan Ford, 13^th.Alice Smith, 14^th. Jack Turner, 15^th Carolyn Turner. 16^th Ben Ford (Retired).

Alan.S 1700.

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Streakerramblings - New Year's Day Race - Piddinghoe

Fully overcast and raining , lightly as we left home at about noon this New Year’s Day Race.

On arrival at Piddinghoe the rain was heavier and the breeze just a light force 2 ish from the South.By the time the 7 entries got on the water the breeze had come up to a good force 3 and with gusts of force 4 to 5.

The course was one used previously for the Freeman Iceberg – a very  short windward (southerly) start to a turning mark off the clubhouse then a long broad reach down the southern side of the pond.
At the eastern end there was a gybe (around a repositioned and re-anchored) mark onto a run behind the island.  Mid way along the eastern side was a mark onto a windward leg to a mark off the flagpole then turning onto a run to the north eastern corner finishing with a beat back to the start line.

At the start it was Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC) who, having just recovered from a capsize, found himself right by the pin and first over the line. Alongside him but slightly to leeward was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC). Alan had the speed however and was ahead by the turning mark and off onto the somewhat hairy broad reach. Just behind this pair were Michael Veale (RS 200, NSSC) and Mike Rosier (Laser II, NSSC) once again using the strange cut down Scorpion rig. Bringing up the rear were Dan Ford and Becca Gibson (Magno, NSSC), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig,NSSC) and Phil in an un-numbered Pico.  Also on the water and intending to join in the race was Jonty Freeman (NSSC) with a Sailboard wearing a ‘HiFly’ rig. Whether it was the wind strength or the cold water Jonty did not last more than three laps before heading ashore.

The race was a bit processional as Alan.S went into the lead from the start and stayed there throughout the race. Similarly Michael.V took second spot early in lap 1 and was not challenged to the finish- some 2 minutes behind Alan. For the first two laps Mike.R  held third place ahead of Julian.D until a block in his mainsheet system failed during lap 3. After repairs Mike got back into third spot.

There were several capsizes, Bill Wates owned up to at least three and Dan.F was seen to be doing a pond bottom survey fairly early on in his race. Likewise Julian.D was seen with somewhat raised daggerboard whist going to windward and probably had at least one knockdown ion lap 3. Michael.V  admitted that he could have been a bit closer to Alan had he had the courage to fly his spinnaker – there were three legs possible each lap- but the gusty conditions put him off.

Phil in the Pico managed to miss the start line mark at the end of lap one and again later and so had no result otherwise he would have been fairly well placed.

Results (unchecked/unofficial):-

1^st.  Alan Simmons, 2^nd. Michael Veale, 3^rd= Julian Dobson, 3^rd= Mike Rosier, 5^th. Bill Wates, 6^th. Dan Ford, 7^th. (Disq) Phill Xxxx

Alan was pleased to have made it round the course without a full capsize, he had at least two near misses, being able to view his Daggerboard full length before recovering. With the continuous heavy rain he also had great difficulty in spotting some of the marks until very close to them. It was the miserable looking conditions that led Laurence Venus to decide not to get rigged and enter the race.

The hope is that the weather conditions experienced (which obviously led to the reduced numbers) are not a foretaste of what is to come in the Elford Numbum series due to start next Sunday 8^th Jan although at the time of writing this blog the sky is clear and blue and the Sun shining strongly and just a gentle breeze blowing.
  Alan.S 1700
PS. Sorry for the marks on the pictures - rain drops!