Streaker Ramblings - Mengeham Rythe - 13.09.2014

We left home just after 9.00 am with the radio warning of delays for the Goodwood Revival meeting on the route – for which there was really no alternative – and sure enough we got locked into a slow moving queue several miles from the turn off. On the road side was a prominent notice – ‘Do not use you GPS if going to Goodwood’. The hold-up added at least 30 minutes to the journey time but as the briefing was not until 12 noon we were still in plenty of time. It took a good 20 minutes to sail down the rythe to the main area for Chichester harbour but once close to where the Committee boat was moored there was another delay – about as long – whilst the course was laid. The meeting was a joint affair with 5 Streakers and 25 Solos on the water in a reasonable force 3 to 4 breeze from the east, sunny and warm with intermittent dark cloud cover.

The Solo fleet started first, and the Streakers some 5 minutes behind, on an Olympic style course of Triangle and Sausage. The Streaker ‘fleet’ was closely bunched but with Graham Butler (Frensham Pond) first away and just ahead of Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad). These two soon established a, close fought, gap ahead of Alan Simmons (Lancing), Penny Dormer and Frank Fern (both from the home club). The course did not require boats to go through a gate on each windward leg so individual lap positions were not recorded. At the commencement (Leeward Mark) sound signals were made indicating a ‘new’ windward mark and Alan mistook this for a finishing signal consequently stopping for a drink and a bite to eat. This was rather costly as both Penny and Frank passed him and by the time he realised his error they were streets ahead and were not far off the lead pair. At the gun (real one) it was Veronica just ahead of Graham then Penny and Frank with Alan in last place.

Although the races were programmed to be ‘back to back’ there was yet another delay whilst the course was adjusted as the wind failed to settle down and had shifted by about 90 degrees. Finally race 2 started with Graham again first away hotly pursued by Veronica and then Penny. Halfway up the first beat Veronica and Graham, still in very close contact, tacked off to port whilst Penny, Alan and Frank held on for a while and benefitted from a large wind shift. They closed up on the leading pair, Veronica by now just in front of Graham but with Alan at the head of the other three boats. At the finish Veronica was yet again the leader with Graham second and Alan third. Penny came home 4th with Frank 5th.
Before race 3 the course was re-set yet again as the tide had also by then started to ebb. At the gun it was Alan who was first away but was very soon overtaken by the other four boats. At the front it was Veronica who held on ahead of Graham after a series of place changes and Frank who found great speed which took him to third place in ahead of Penny and lastly Alan.

With three pips it was Veronica who took the meeting first prize with Graham Second and Frank third. By the time the Streakers were back ashore it was close to 5.00pm. A very long, close fought and enjoyable day on the water for all five helms.

Results:-

Posn	Helm	Club	Sail No	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	points
1	Veronica Falat	W & OB	1829	(1)	1	1	2
2	Graham Butler	Frensham	1760	(2)	2	2	4
3	Frank Fern	MRSC	1705	4	(5)	3	7
4	Penny Dormer	MRSC	1666	3	(4)	4	7
5	Alan Simmons	Lancing	1700	(5)	3	5	8

 

Alan.S 1700