High grey clouds but dry with a virtual flat calm for the journey down to Pidinghoe for the inaugural race(s) of the 2013 Numbum series. Whilst passing through Piddinghoe village the Sun briefly broke through the cloud cover but it only lasted a few seconds.
On arrival at the pond there were a few patches of ruffled water in the south eastern corner – the rest was like a mill pond.
The RO for the day, Terry Jones, was praying that the breeze would fill in at least a little. By the start this was the situation but barely enough for the boats – thirteen of them – to get across the line. The course was much the same as on New Year’s Day with the exception of an additional mark near the east shore but north of the island to ensure that one and all stayed well clear of the island itself. Strictly speaking with the water level, as high as it is currently, one can safely sail very close to the island shore – at least on its eastern side.
At the start it was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) who was first away in about the middle of the line. Next off were Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) who was attempting to cover Laurence Venus (Streaker – NSSC) . Alan had good clear air but by the time he was half way up the first leg to the twin buoys off the clubhouse Laurence.V had pulled out in front and to windward and Steve Duncan (Laser full rig - NSSC) had also pulled up level. There was very little breeze by the clubhouse mark(s) but Laurence eventually rounded in the lead followed by Paul.R then Alan.S. Just behind these three Steve.D led Julian Dobson (Laser full rig - NSSC) and then Roger McCall (Laser full rig – Bexhill SC).
By the end of the first lap Laurence.V had pulled out well in front of Paul.R and Alan.S, who although having been passed by Steve.D during the lap, regained his place at third on the water and had stretched the gap. Behind Steve.D Roger.M was ahead of Julian.D who in turn was in front of Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS200 – NSSC). Next up in 8th place on the water was Ian Lambert (Laser Radial – NSSC) just ahead of Bill Waites (Laser full rig – NSSC) with Chas Humphries (Laser full mrig – NSSC) behind him in 10th position. Lying at 11th was Ben Ford (Pico – NSSC) ahead of Zoe and Lucy McCaig (Gull – NSSC) with Dan Ford (Pico – NSSC) bringing up the rear.
This latter pair finally ran out of breeze altogether when barely a length from the finish mark and even went astern briefly. Although being along side each other, when the wind left them, it took Zoe.M nearly five more minutes to cross the line after Dan.F eventually made it home.
For the leading group Paul.R was unable to catch up with LaurenceV who led him by nearly three minutes at the end of the second , and final, lap. Alan.S did pull back a few seconds on Paul.R to finish third on the water well clear of Steve.D in fourth spot who was some 30 seconds ahead of Roger.M. The lack of breeze did nothing to help Michael.V , who although using his spinnaker at every opportunity, slipped further astern of 6th placed Julian.D – by nearly 7 minutes. Bill.W managed to get ahead of Ian.L and stayed ahead on the last leg, the long beat up the southern side of the pond to the twin buoys.
With the handicaps applied and the corrected time calculated Laurence.V was the clear winner with Alan.S in second place. Third spot went to Paul.R and fourth place went to Steve.D. – for the full results follow this link to the NSSC web site :-
http://www.nssc.org.uk/results/2013/numbum.htm
An almost complete lack of breeze, it took the leader Laurence 43 minute to complete two laps and 67 minutes for the late finishing (sinlge lap) of the slow boats, convinced the RO that there was little point in running a second race so nearly all went ashore and put their boats away for the day.
Alan.S 1700
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