Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 9 - 01/02/2015

 

A mixed sky, Grey and white cloud with the odd glimpse of blue peeping through as we left Hove for Piddinghoe. A ‘chunky’ breeze (top end force 4 perhaps) was blowing from the north west. On arrival at the pond it seemed to have increased a little but Alan, using a portable Anenometer, could only record 16 knots – the wind whistling in the rigging of the nearby parked boats gave the lie to that – at least force 6 in the gusts. Alan decided to stay ashore or operate the second safety boat if needed – which proved to be the case – so he went afloat with Roger McCall (Laser full rig). The RO, Mike Godwin, assisted by Dave Murley (Laser Radial) set up an ‘X’ shaped course with the start from the south bank of the pond and a short leg to the mark in the South west corner.

 

In spite of the forecast for 24 to 26 knots of breeze some nine boats signed on and then went afloat. Even before the start boats were tipping over with great regularity Bell and Max Connor (RS Vision), John Smith and Bill Wates (Laser full Rig) to name but three. Alan and Roger and Bill Giles (Solution) and Penelope Duncan were all very busy trying to get them upright and sailing again.

The start, at 11.0am was extremely ragged with only Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200) hitting the line ahead of Rupert Smith and Emily Simmons (Vago) anywhere near at the gun. Behind them John Smith (laser Radial) had headed for the clubhouse and tacked close inshore. Next away were Laurence Venus (Streaker – reefed Wave sail) and behind him Jamie Smith (Laser 4.7). As these five boats set off along the west bank, towards the mark at the Fisherman’s Bay, and before they had even reached the line, Liah Hunter and Daisy Davies (RS Vision) from Plumpton College, had discovered the true strength of the wind and how difficult it is to recover one of these capsized craft when you do not have a great deal of weight. They decided to haul down the sails and get towed back ashore. Bill.W was still not back to the starting area having done a capsized tour of the north side of the Island. Stuart Ford (Mirror) was also in a predicament with the boat painter wrapped around the port Jib sheet preventing the jib from being sheeted in properly.

Eventually Bell and Max crossed the line to start, ahead of Stuart, and Bill.W made it to the south west corner only to capsize, again, on his way towards the Fisherman’s Bay mark. Although they had been fairly close along the top reach it was Michael who rounded the F/B mark ahead of Rupert. John.S must have taken a dip as he emerged well behind Laurence who was close to Jamie as both flew down wind.












Having rounded the mark, south of the Island, Rupert went swimming. Emily tried her best to help but after several unsuccessful attempts lost touch with the boat. Alan & Roger arrived and attempted to get her out of the water only for her Trapeze belt hook to cause a major hold up over the high wooden gunwhales. Eventually she was recovered and  whisked off to the clubhouse for a hot shower and warming drink. Rupert and boat meanwhile ended up in the reeds in the south east corner. By the end of the lap Michael was in the lead with Jamie lying second ahead of Laurence and John.S bringing up the rear. Bell and Max took another dip and decided to go ashore as did Bill.W and Stuart.

 

Lap 2 had just four boats left on the water and Michael was one of the first casualties whilst flying their Gennaker on the second leg of the course from the F/B mark to the other , south side of the Island. Next to ‘expire’ was John.S taking another dip not far from the Island and being assisted by Bill.G and Penelope. Jamie also had a spill (or two) leaving just Laurence to cross the line ahead of a now recovered Michael. It was hardly necessary to apply handicaps as Laurence was obviously the winner.

Praise must go to Emily who was only on her second ever sail at the pond and had never worn a trapeze harness before – let alone attempting to get out on the wire. Praise too for the two Plumpton boats crews who it is doubtfull had experienced such strong and gusty winds before.

Jamie also deserves praise for his staunch efforts, which, had he stayed upright just a little bit longer, could have earned him a race win. Everybody else who signed on for the race deserves to be congratulated – or certified. It is not very often that one sees real waves breaking on the south bank of the pond and white horse all over the water.

The second, programmed race, No 10 of the series did not take place and even the RO was exhausted at watching those ‘fools’ sailing in the first race as all were too tired to attempt another. That said the two Mikes in the RS were haring up and down long after everyone else was ashore and half packed away.

 

Results

R9

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Finish	Elapsed	BCE	Points
STREAKER	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1146		15.47	0.00.00	1.0
RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1051		16.21	0.01.53	2.0
LASER	191067	Pevensey Bay	Roger McAll		1088		OOD		3.0
Solution	398	NSSC	Bill Giles		1080		OOD		3.0
LASER RADIAL	142208	NSSC	Dave Murley		1122		OOD		3.0
VAGO	808	NSSC	Rupert Smith	Chris Turner	1064		DNF		10.0
LASER RADIAL	177611	NSSC	John Smith		1122		DNF		10.0
LASER	133416(26)	NSSC	Bill Wates		1088		DNF		10.0
MIRROR	5	NSSC	Stuart Ford		1385		DNF		10.0
LASER4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith		1185		DNF		10.0
RS VISION	434	Plumpton	Liah Hunter	Daisy Davis	1080		DNF		10.0
RS VISION	258	Plumpton	Connor Bell	Max Bell	1080		DNF		10.0

 

Alan.S 1700