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