Streaker Ramblings - Newhave & Seaford SC - 18th May 2013

Just a short trip, 25 minutes, down the road to Bishopstone, west of Seaford town, to the NSSC main base. Those of you who regularly read this blog will be aware of the NSSC’s inland water at Piddinghoe - for today’s meeting it was not necessary to go here but to sail on the sea instead. Bright skies, with a good bit of cloud and when we arrived the breeze was South Westerly at about a mid force 3 with a nice flat sea and no breakers.

Disappointingly only five boats turned up, including the lone club helm Laurence Venus – those of you who failed to arrive missed a fabulous sail in glorious conditions. Hopefully Seaford will hold the meeting again next year.

The RO, Rupert Smith established on a two masted yacht anchored in the bay, set an Olympic triangle/sausage course with a gate half way up the beat. Laurence.V was first across the line at the start of race 1 but with Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad YC) a little to windward and Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) a touch even further to windward. Gary Hogan (Emberton Park SC) and Nick Carter (Burgfield SC) were a little behind. By the end of the first beat Laurence.V rounded the windward mark just ahead of Veronica.F with Alan.S behind this pair. Veronica and Laurence continued to battle it out throughout the race, each in turn taking the lead, Veronica up wind and Laurence downwind but both finally pulling away from Alan. The gap to Gary also increased during the race and he stayed well ahead of Nick. At the finish line it was Laurence just a length or so ahead of Veronica.

After a lunch break ashore race 2 was started over the same basic course, with just minor Mark adjustments to suit the slightly swinging breeze. Once again it was Laurence first over the line but with Veronica to windward and Alanfurther to windward and close up under the committee boat. Alan, having just cleared the committee boat, tacked off to the west towards Newhaven harbour. This seemed to work well as he rounded the windward mark in the lead which he held until mid way through the second lap when he tacked a bit too early for the windward mark and was passed by both Veronica and Laurence who were able to sail freer. Laurence and Veronica then engaged in their own private battle again but it was Veronica who crossed the line in the lead after three laps. Yet again Gary came home in fourth place ahead of Nick.

The third and final race started, over the same course, shortly after Nick finished race 2. Yet again Laurence was furthest from the committee boat with Alan just inside Veronica. She pulled ahead of Alan up the first beat as did Laurence and the two rounded the windward mark in the lead just a length or so apart. This time Laurence was unable to make up sufficient ground to pass her down wind and she eventually pulled out clear ahead by about 20 seconds. Alan was unable to catch either but was only about half a minute behind Laurence. For the third time Gary failed to make up on the front three but stayed ahead of Nick

After the three races Veronica was the clear winner with two first places whilst Laurence had a first and second place after the discard. Alan had three thirds, Gary three fourths and Nick three fifiths.

The breeze did rise very slightly during the day, to a low force 4, and the sea built up wavelets to 18” TO 2 feet in height. The sun did come out to play during the day in a bright blue sky but every now and then the clouds came in. A beautifull, none too energetic sail, was enjoyed by all – pity there was not a bit more competition.

Name	Boat No	Club	Race1	Race 2	Race 3	Overall
Veronica Falat	1654	W &OB YC	(2)	1	1	1
Laurence Venus	1706	NSSC	1	2	(2)	2
Alan Simmons	1700	LSC	3	3	(3)	3
Gary Hogan	1757	EPSC	4	4	(4)	4
Nick Carter	1828	BSC	5	5	(5)	5

 

Alan.S 1700