Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg 2012 - Day 1

The first day of the 2012 Freeman Iceberg series did not start auspiciously, following heavy overnight rain and strong winds. We set off for Piddinhoe in one of the brief lulls between downpours and just after the Traffic Island at Kingston we encountered the first flooded road. It was the worst of those experienced on the way to the Pond although the lane from the village was also bad.

The overnight Windguru forecast had indicated up to 39knots mid morning but the Sunday morning version was down to 29 knots. On arrival on site however it was blowing hard, my guess at force 6 plus a bit. The Boat was rigged, with a little help in stepping the mast, and then ‘put to bed’ – Streaker 1700 was staying firmly ashore.
A few ‘brave’ souls rigged their boats, Michael Veale and Mike Rosier went afloat in their RS 200 and were on, or in, the water for about 15 minutes. There were waves on the pond and they were breaking (white water) on the far eastern bank. Huge gusts were hitting the water from the southern bank and charging across the water. After several capsizes, and black/brown sail tops from the mud at the bottom of the pond, they came ashore – to wash down – before any racing had actually commenced.
Jonty Freeman had readied his Laser Radial but did not need to go afloat – a Pico had ventured out  (reefed down) but he fell in and then, after help from the safety boat, headed back ashore. The only other aspirant was a Mirror with (I believe) two adult but inexperienced sailors. They were on the water for less than two minutes and although they did manage to survive the really vicious gusts – just – one final one snapped their boom close to the gooseneck.
Rupert Smith, the R.O for the day, had been intending to send the fleet round the pond in a triangle starting from a ‘Committee Boat’ but finally decided to call all racing off – there was really none left to try anyway.
By Mid afternoon the wind had gone and the sun came out to play but for the sailors this was far too late. Lancing SC had had the added problem of huge breaking waves in the morning but by evening the Fireworks and Bonfire went off in ideal, calm, conditions.

Alan. S 1700