Streaker Ramblings - Bough Beech - 23/03/2013

The following Report is courtesy of Steve Garrett - as I missed this event due to lousy forecasts:-
The forecast of 1C temperatures, Snow flurries and a Force 5 Gusting 6 wind forecasted on Friday, it was no wonder the Streaker Sailors decided to stay wrapped up in there duvets Saturday morning. Travelling to Bough Beech in morning, gave a lovely winter wonderland image on higher ground, but at lower levels the snow was not settling. Bough Beech was clear of snow and 22 participants arrived for joint Streaker/Laser open meeting. The reality was, Temp 1C, Snow Flurries in morning, Races 1-3 sailed in Force 2-3 NE increasing to Force 3 Gusting 4 for last race of day. 3 Boats entered the meeting, with Chris Smith visiting from Island Barn SC, joining locals Steve Garrett and Peter Jones who was experiencing his first Streaker Open event since purchasing new Streaker last year. The event was based on 4 Races 3 to Count, with a duration of 40mins each race. The Laser’s set off first, followed by Streakers.
The first two races were sailed back to back before lunch, with a Triangle and Sausage course set. With Steve known for his late arrival at starting line Chris and Peter set off up the first windward leg. Chris pulled out a lead from Peter and with Steve starting 3 mins late was gradually catching them, passing Peter, before race completed with Chris taking honours. With the snow flurries and wind chill from NE wind. The last thing all competitors wanted was a general recall from Laser Race 2 start followed by a postponement. By this time the Race officer decided to set the Streakers off first, but by this time delay and all the chat in the warm clubhouse at lunchtime, many had experienced hands and feet going numb during this time only to recover feeling once Race 2 got well under way.
 Race 2 started with all 3 boats closely bunched up first windward leg. Steve opened up a slight lead only to sail into a wind hole which made for tricky/lottery sailing conditions at windward mark for Chris to take lead with Peter just behind. Chris held onto lead down the 2 downwind legs, with Steve regaining lead down 2nd windward leg, taking advantage of wind shift, staying further out. Steve pulled out a comfortable lead to take 2nd race followed by Chris and Peter. The Race Officer decided to keep the Streakers starting off first, for the two back to back afternoon races and a change of course to a P-Course layout.
Race 3 started with all 3 boats close together again up to the windward mark, Steve rounded mark first followed by Chris & Peter. Positions remained the same throughout race 3 with a fair distance between boats at finish. By the time Race 3 had finished, the wind had increased to a force 3 with some gusts of force 4 which gave for some downwind fun, but tricky gybeing conditions.
With all to race for between Steve & Chris, Race 4 started with Steve and Chris changing places after tacking across each other, twice up first windward mark, with Chris leading from Steve at first windward mark. During first downwind mark Peter was caught out by gust and healed up to windward which let Steve thru, Steve pulled away from Peter, who also got caught up with a Laser sailor sailing upwind, down the next downwind leg. Steve took the honours overall from Chris followed by Peter.
The racing was good and everyone enjoyed the days sailing, especially Peter with his first experience of Open Racing, with all competitors going home with a bottle of wine to warm up.
Results:-
1st Steve Garrett 3pts Bough Beech SC
2nd Chris Smith 5pts Island Barn SC
3rd Peter Jones 9pts Bough Beech SC
Steve Garrett