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