Sunday 28 December 2014

Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Race 17 - 26/12/2014


Cold, High Grey skies and barely a whisper of breeze as we left Hangleton for Piddinghoe this Boxing Day morning. The sun was trying to break through, just a hazy outline but it failed to appear all morning. On arrival at the pond it was almost dead calm with half the water like a mill pond and barely a ruffle on the other half.
What little breeze there was was coming from the north west corner of the pond and the RO, Laurence Venus, set  a course with the intial beat starting from a line , between a pair of marks, just off the 1st slipway east along the south side. The windward mark was a mark close to the Fisherman’s Bay  in the north  west corner. It was then a broad reach to a mark mid way along the eastern shore followed by a run behind the Island to the mark in the south east corner. This was followed by a beat up the south side to a mark in the south west corner just off the clubhouse before setting off to the Fisherman’s Bay mark once more. Some fifteen boats took to the water with Alan Simmons taking out his Aero 7 for his fifth race of the series and Alex Mills-Barton (Laser full rig) joining in the Series once more.

At the gun it was Alan, in midline,  who was first away whilst Alex who roll tacked away from the pin end. Third across the line was Matt Springall (Laser full rig) with Darren Filed and Louise Currell (RS 200) fourth and Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200) fifth away but to windward of Darren. Alex was first to the windward mark with Alan less than a boat length behind and along the bottom run the pair were alongside each other. Behind this pair Darren was closing on Matt with Julia Dobson (Laser full rig) in fifth spot ahead of Tim Cox (Laser Radial).In mid fleet the order at the end of the lap was Graham Hardy (Laser full rig) 7th, Bill Giles (Solution) 8th, Michael 9th and Chris Rosier (Laser full rig) 10th. David Murley (Laser Radial) was 11th, Penny Springall (Laser 4.7) 12th, Chas Humphries (Laser full rig) 13th, Jamie Smith (Laser 4.7) 14th and Tiger Cox (Topper) 15th.
Lap 2 saw no change in place for the two leaders but Alex extended his lead over Alan to 50 seconds and Darren passed Matt to hold third position. Whilst Julian held on to 5th place Graham overtook Tim and Michael passed Bill.G. A little further down the fleet Chas went up to 12th passing Penny on the way as Jamie retained his position ahead of Tiger.

Lap 3 and Alan pulled back about 10 seconds on Alex’s lead but made no significant gain ahead of Darren who was using his Gennaker on the offwind legs. The beats, along the south and west sides of the pond were both capable of completing without a tack so the offwind legs were the only areas for overtaking. Occasionally there were a few extra little puffs of breeze but these were few and far between and only in a few areas. Tim fell back behind Michael and Bill.G to lie 9th but there were no other changes down the fleet.
Lap 4 and Alex pulled back those few seconds lost in the previous lap to lead Alan by 55seconds but the rest of the fleet positons remained unchanged – apart from Chas passing David to lie 11th. Jamie and Tiger finished, tied on the line, at the end of this lap.

Lap 5 saw Alex extend the gap ahead of Alan to one minute 24 seconds  but the gap between Alan and Darren remained much the same and Matt fell back a little but still in front of Julian and Chas, David and Penny finished at the end of the lap.

Lap 6, the final lap, and Alex crossed the line with a slightly reduced lead (40 seconds) ahead of Alan, in turn 18 seconds ahead of third placed Darren. Matt was fourth, Julian 5th Graham 6th, Michael 7th and Bill.G, Tim and Chris.R 8th,9th and 10th. Once the handicaps had been applied the sequence was Alex 1st, Alan 2nd, Matt 3rd, Julian 4th and Darren 5th.

This had been a difficult race given the lack of breeze and its awkward direction limiting opportunities to overtake around the course. It did however give everyone an opportunity to sail without having ‘survival’ conditions. The Safety boat crewed by Jonty Freeman and Penelope Duncan were not exactly overworked spending more effort in setting the marks and then just looking on.

Results :-

R17

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank
Class
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
PY No
Elapsed
BCE
Points
1
Laser
207509/203984
NSSC
Alex Mills-Barton
 
1088
57.17
0.00.00
1.0
2
Aero 7
1150
Lancing
Alan Simmons
 
1065
57.59
0.01.55
2.0
3
Streaker
1706
NSSC
Laurence Venus
 
1146
OOD
 
3.0
3
Laser
153670
NSSC
Matt Springall
 
1088
59.30
0.02.13
3.0
5
Laser
7/176670
NSSC
Julian Dobson
 
1088
59.59
0.02.42
4.0
6
RS 200
285
NSSC
Darren Field
Lousie Currel
1051
58.17
0.02.57
5.0
7
Laser
163443
NSSC
Graham Hardy
 
1088
60.26
0.03.09
6.0
8
Laser Radial
16
NSSC
Tim Cox
 
1122
63.23
0.04.19
7.0
9
Solution
398
NSSC
Bill Giles
 
1080
62.32
0.05.40
8.0
10
Laser
142334
NSSC
Chris Rosier
 
1088
63.55
0.06.38
9.0
11
RS 200
582
NSSC
Michael Veale
Mike Rosier
1051
62.06
0.06.46
10.0
12
Laser Radial
142208
NSSC
David Murley
 
1122
58.09
0.08.55
11.0
13
Laser 4.7
153670
NSSC
Penny Springal
 
1185
61.30
0.09.30
12.0
14
Laser
138193
NSSC
Charles Humphries
 
1088
57.16
0.09.32
13.0
15
Topper
26340
NSSC
Tiger Cox
 
1322
56.17
0.09.53
14.0
16
Laser 4.7
2063
NSSC
Jamie Smith
 
1185
55.56
0.14.20
15.0

Note!  For the Full Series results follow this link :- http://www.nssc.org.uk/cms/index.php/sailing/club-series-results

 
 


This being the last race of the series the prize giving followed, once the overall results had been calculated. The Freeman Iceberg Trophy was won by Laurence Venus with Darren Field and Louise Currell runners up and Michael Veale and Mike Rosier taking third. Tim Cox was 4th and John Nash 5th. Alan, having split his outings between two boats still gained 20th (Aero) and 22nd (Streaker) – not too bad with some forty entries in the series. Prizes were also awarded to the winners of the ‘Menagerie Fleet – Laurence again, the Laser Fleet – Tim Cox and the Cadet Fleet – Josh Smith. The event wrapped up with free Mince pies, Mulled wine and Coffee for all entrants and Dutymen.

Alan.S 1700

 

PS. Here’ wishing all readers of this blog a Happy, Prosperous and Successful New Year for 2015

Monday 22 December 2014

Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Races 15 & 16 - 21/12/2014

Overcast grey skies, a breeze from the southwest and moisture in the air as we left for Piddinghoe. The forecast, via Windguru and Windfinder for Seaford, was between 17 and 22 knots by mid-day. On arrival at the pond it  did not seem that breezy, barely a force 3 at the time and Alan decided to give the Aero another outing – on the basis that if it got too windy for his liking the bank was just a yard or too away. Wearing Father Christmas headgear  (and a red dry suit) he was one of the 12 boats to go afloat. Simon Suter, RO for the day, set a course with a start line midway along the south bank with a beat up to the mark in the south west corner. The next leg was a broad reach along the west side to a mark off the Fisherman’s Bay followed by a close reach/fetch to a mark in the middle of the pond. A gybe at this mark was followed by a short run to a mark in the middle of the east side and another gybe. From there the next leg was a close reach behind the Island to a mark in the south east corner to begin the log beat back up the south side. By the time of the start at 11.00 am the wind had begun to strengthen and the gust were coming thick and fast with consequent direction changes.
At the gun it was Darren Field and Louise Curell (RS200) close to the shore, tacking off onto starboard and ahead of Alan who had been closer to the pin end. Rupert Smith and Penny Springall (Vago) were close behind and with momentum drove over him before tacking away as did Michael Veale and Mike Crosier (RS200). Laurence Venus (Streaker) was well back from the line but crossed in its middle on starboard tack. Darren was first to round the windward mark and although Alan was on course to follow him he ran into a hollow in the wind and Rupert, Michael, Laurence and Tim Cox (Laser radial) all rounded ahead. Alan did get a nice reaching blast along the western leg to catch up the leading group but had to round on the outside unable to make up any places. With three gybes in the course there was the potential for plenty of spills - in the increasingly gusty wind – as there was on the off-wind legs but the first casualty was Terry Jones (Laser full rig) on the first windward leg, just after starting.
Although the pack had bunched at the Fisherman’s Bay mark Darren stayed out in front with Tim, having found an inside berth, following up that reach and the following run. Laurence was lying third just ahead of Michael and then Rupert.

Bill Wates (Laser full rig) and Zoe McCaig (Laser radial) had both gone ahead of Alan but both had capsized at the gybe, leaving Alan to negotiate a way round them. By the end of the first lap the order was Darren, Tim and then Rupert, Michael and then Laurence – who unfortunately had missed passing inside the ODD (as he found out after the race) – Alan was 6th , Bill Giles (Solution – newly acquired), Tiger Cox (Topper), Jamie Smith (Laser 4.7), Bill.W and Zoe. Terry failed to make it round the lap, retiring ashore for a Bacon Buttie and Coffee.
Lap 2 was almost as fast and furious with the breeze increasing yet more but there were no place changes amongst the leading 5 boats. Alan, having just been passed by Tiger in the Topper, decided that to continue would almost certainly lead to a swim which he felt he did not need so headed for the shore to take no further part in the racing for the day. Bill.W, having recovered somewhat, Climbed up to 8th ahead of Bill.G with Jamie in 10th and lastly 11th placed Zoe.
Lap 3 saw no assault on Darren’s lead and Tim stayed second but Laurence passed Michael to lie 4th behind 3rd placed Rupert. Tiger remained in 6th place as Bill. G went ahead of Bill.W with Jamie and Zoe behind this pair
Lap 4 and still no changes at the front although Laurence was closing on Rupert. Bill.G had some problems finding his toe straps (not hoisted sufficiently above the floor) and dropped back to 10th (and finishing) thus promoting Bill.W to 7th, Jamie to 8th and Zoe to 9th.
Lap 5, the final lap and the order was still the same – Darren 1st, Tim 2nd, Rupert 3rd,
Laurence 4th, Michael 5th, Tiger sixth and Bill.W 7th. With the handicap applied and Laurence having to lose a lap the winner was Tiger 1st, Tim 2nd, Darren 3rd.

The breeze seemed to ease a little before the next race was due to start and Alan was tempted to go afloat again but resisted and stayed firmly ashore and thus it was that a fleet of just 9 boats went afloat. The RO, in his infinite wisdom, decide to send the fleet round the course in the opposite direction – initiating a running start in a hugely swinging wind from the general direction of the clubhouse.

Even before the start Bill.W capsized, had his rudder fall off and was attended by the safety boat (NSSC Piddinghoe rules permit an ‘assisted’ boat to continue racing) while he re-fixed it. Almost at the same time and also on the start line Rupert decided to explore the reeds with help from a big gust and capsized almost on the line. Of the remaining seven boats only Michael was near the line at the gun and set off with Gennaker flying. Next away was Tim and eventually Darren got going. Next away was Zoe, then Tiger followed by Laurence and Jamie all a goodly distance apart and well behind the leader. Finally Bill.W and Rupert actually started.
By the last beat of the lap it was Darren leading Tim, who then lost it and ended up swimming. Michael having had a fight or too with the Genny was lying third but moved up to second. Zoe had a tenuous grip on third place and Laurence was back to fourth and steaming away. Tiger was fifth, Jamie sixth, Rupert7th, Tim 8th and Bill.W 9th.
Lap 2 saw Darren and Michael still 1st and 2nd and Laurence passing Zoe to go 3rd with no change of order in the fleet below.

Bill.W had another capsize at the south east end of the pond and shortly after recovering managed to ram the safety boat and capsize once more
Lap 3 and no change in the top four positions but Rupert pulled back two places to go ahead of Tiger and Jamie whilst Tim and Bill remained the back markers.
Lap 4 – the final lap – Darren was leading but Laurence was closing fast although not quite fast enough to overtake. Michael came home third and Zoe fourth. Jamie passed Tiger to take 5th and Tim and Bill.W stayed in the same relative positions as in the previous lap.
With the handicaps applied the finish order was Laurence 1st, Tiger 2nd, Darren 3rd and Jamie 4th.
Yet another week with strong winds – albeit not strong enough to cause the racing to be called off – not conditions that have prevailed in the last several years when there have been perhaps two heavy weather races. If you were sailing you certainly knew it afterwards, whether it be with a smile or as groan.

Results :-

R15

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank
Class
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
PY No
Elapsed
BCE
Points
1
Topper
26340
NSSC
Tiger Cox
 
1322
37.10
0.00.00
1.0
2
Laser Radial
16
NSSC
Tim Cox
 
1122
31.40
0.00.07
2.0
3
RS 200
285
NSSC
Darren Field
Lousie Currel
1051
30.35
0.01.02
3.0
4
Vago
808
NSSC
Rupert Smith
Chris Turner/Penny Springall
1064
32.25
0.02.30
4.0
5
RS 200
582
NSSC
Michael Veale
Mike Rosier
1051
34.09
0.04.36
5.0
6
Laser 4.7
2063
NSSC
Jamie Smith
 
1185
31.18
0.04.39
6.0
7
Laser
133416
NSSC
Bill Wates
 
1088
38.34
0.07.59
7.0
8
Streaker
1706
NSSC
Laurence Venus
 
1146
32.40
0.06.54
8.0
9
Laser Radial
64200
NSSC
Zoe McCaig
 
1122
36.05
0.10.51
9.0
10
Solution
398
NSSC
Bill Giles
 
1080
36.45
0.12.28
10.0
11
Laser
30678
NSSC
Terry Jones
 
1088
DNF
 
12.0
11
Aero 7
1150
Lancing
Alan Simmons
 
1065
DNF
 
12.0

R16

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank
Class
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
PY No
Elapsed
BCE
Points
1
Streaker
1706
NSSC
Laurence Venus
 
1146
23.51
0.00.00
1.0
2
Topper
26340
NSSC
Tiger Cox
 
1322
28.00
0.00.29
2.0
3
RS 200
285
NSSC
Darren Field
Lousie Currel
1051
23.25
0.01.33
3.0
4
Laser 4.7
2063
NSSC
Jamie Smith
 
1185
27.03
0.02.23
4.0
5
Laser Radial
64200
NSSC
Zoe McCaig
 
1122
25.52
0.02.31
5.0
6
RS 200
582
NSSC
Michael Veale
Mike Rosier
1051
25.14
0.03.22
6.0
7
Vago
808
NSSC
Rupert Smith
Chris Turner/Penny Springall
1064
20.15
0.03.39
7.0
8
Laser Radial
16
NSSC
Tim Cox
 
1122
31.46
0.08.25
8.0
9
Laser
133416
NSSC
Bill Wates
 
1088
33.41
0.11.02
9.0

 

 

Alan.S 1700