Wednesday 28 December 2016

Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Race 15 - 26.12.2016


Blue Sky and Sun, almost clear of cloud – just high whisps – and a light breeze as we left home for the 15th (programmed) race on Boxing Day morning.

As he had to score the race and then work out the overall results, Laurence Venus had taken on the duty of RO for this last race of the series. With Bill Giles and Penny Springall in the safety boat he set a complex course, as shown below, with a start to windward – just. The breeze was a good top end force three, coming from the west with a touch of north.
 

The keen starters assembled, with just a few seconds to the gun, close to the mark at the pin end of the line. At the gun Matt Springall (Laser full rig) was first away with Dave Murley (Laser Radial) next to cross the line a little behind and to leeward. Next to go was Rupert Smith (Streaker) who found some breeze from quite well back and powered through passing Alan Simmons (Streaker) who was just to windward of Charlie Rigg (Topper).
 









The first leg, from the start near the middle slipway on the south shore, to a mark off the clubhouse – not the one right in the south west corner – was almost possible to make in one tack. And Matt was first to round with Michael Veale and Mike Rosier in the RS200 second, Dave third and Rupert fourth.


The next leg was a tight fetch to a mark off the Fisherman’s Bay where the mark required a gybe. This was a tricky area with some very nasty gusts coming out of the bay and almost put Matt in the water, he recovered from a very dubious gybe to maintain his position at the head of the fleet.

The next leg back towards the clubhouse was a slightly broader leg but still a bit too close for Michael to fly his gennaker properly and Dave and Rupert passed him. By the time they reached the mark off the clubhouse Rupert was also ahead of Dave. There was another gybe at this mark as all set off for a mark off the middle of the east shore and yet another gybe there before a fast reach to a mark on the far side of the Island. The lap conclude with a long beat up from the South east mark along the southern shore. Again the leg needed but a short hitch to port to make the top mark. The positons at the end of the lap were Matt 1st, Rupert 2nd 13 seconds astern, Michael 3rd, Dave 4th, Julian 5th and Alan 6th. Next in 7th place was Chris Rosier (Laser Radial), Chas Humphries (Laser full rig) 8th, Charlie 9th, Penelope Duncan (Laser Radial) 10th, Roan Briggs (Topper) 11th, Richard Beal (Laser Radial) 12th, Harvey Jenkins (Oppie) 13th and Toby Holmes 14th.

Lap 2 saw a few more ‘dips’ – there was one at least even before the start of the race. Matt stayed ahead of Rupert by nine seconds and Michael held on to third place but now 30 seconds behind Rupert as Alan passed both Dave and Julian to lie fourth. Behind those two Chas had gotten ahead of Chris.R with Roan going up to lie 9th ahead of Penelope and Charlie . Richard stayed in 12th place in spite of a dip and Toby went ahead of last placed Harvey.

 
Lap 3 As Matt and Rupert came to round the mark off the clubhouse a call for water from Rupert did not achieve a lot of room from Matt and he ‘fell in the water’. He soon recovered but Matt had pulled away and extended his lead over Rupert  (to 45 seconds). Michael also closed up on Rupert  but was still half a minute adrift. Alan lost out on a tack close to the clubhouse when he lost the wind and Julian went into fourth place. Dave also passed Alan at this point. Chris.R went back ahead of Chas  and Penelope overtook Roan as Richard also went ahead of Charlie now 12th. Toby drew well ahead of Harvey who finished at the end of this lap.
Lap 4 and Matt continued to pull away from Rupert but with Michael unable to make any gain behind him. Alan, still behind Julian and Dave, suffered a knock-down as a large gust caught him at the gybe off the Fisherman’s Bay.

Although he eventually righted the boat he was unable to reach in for the toe straps and pull himself aboard. With the safety boat alongside he was initially unable to get onto that either but finally made it and quickly got back on the Streaker. Once sailing again he decided to call it a day and headed for the shore. At the end of the lap Penelope was lying 7th behind Roan having passed Chris.R and Chas. Richard had also made big gains now lying 8th with Chas dropping back to lie 9th and Charlie 10th as Chris.R dropped to 11th (capsize?) with Toby 12th and finishing at the end of the lap.

Lap 5 Matt continued in the lead, 76 seconds ahead of Rupert at the end of the lap, with Michael not making any gains on either of them. Dave went ahead of Julian (another capsize?) as Roan, Penelope and Richard remained in the same relative positions as in the previous lap. Both Charlie and Chris.R went back ahead of Chas (another dip?).
Lap 6 was down to just five boats, the others having already finished. There were no place changes but Matt had now pulled out a two minute lead from Rupert with Michael thirty five seconds behind him. Dave and Julian were having a battle to the finish with just twelve seconds separating them at the line.
For some reason Laurence made Matt do another lap but this did not have any bearing on the results once the handicaps had been applied. Matt was the winner, Rupert second, Roan 3rd and Dave 4th.
R15
Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place
Class
H Cap
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
Elapsed
BCE
Points
Laser
1095
153570
NSSC
Matt Springall
 
41.00
0.00.00
1.0
Streaker
1137
1681
NSSC
Rupert Smith
 
36.42
0.00.13
2.0
Topper 'c'
1341
58082
NSSC
Roan Briggs
 
36.07
0.00.15
3.0
Laser Radial
1136
142208
NSSC
David Murley
 
38.43
0.02.15
4.0
Topper 'c'
1341
27531
NSSC
Charlie Rigg
 
38.43
0.02.51
5.0
RS 200
1047
582
NSSC
Micheal Veale
Mike Rosier
36.55
0.03.19
6.0
Oppie 'c'
1665
6232
NSSC
Toby Holmes
 
39.13
0.03.36
7.0
Laser
1095
7/176670
NSSC
Julian Dobson
 
38.45
0.03.36
8.0
Laser Radial
1136
81
NSSC
Penelope Duncan
 
36.14
0.05.51
9.0
Laser Radial
1136
43382
NSSC
Richard Beal
 
37.35
0.07.12
10.0
Laser Radial
1136
66163
NSSC
Chris Rosier
 
40.11
0.09.48
11.0
Laser
1095
138193
NSSC
Chas Humphries
 
40.17
0.11.00
12.0
Oppie'c'
1665
6019
NSSC
Harvey Jenkins
 
37.20
0.10.37
13.0
Streaker
1137
1700
Lancing S C
Alan Simmons
 
DNF
 
15.0
The overall results for the series clearly show that it was very tight contest. The Winner by just half of one point was Tiger Cox (Topper) - 24.5 points, second place went to Rupert Smith - 25 points, Third place was earned by Ed Thorburn – 25 points (did not sail the last race) and fourth place to Alan Simmons – 26 points. For details and all other results go to the NSSC web Site via this link:- http://www.nssc.org.uk/cms/images/nsscdocs/results/2016/freeman13.htm
The Cadets race for a separate trophy which this year was won by Harvey Jenkins (Oppie) with Charlie Rigg (Topper) second, Roan Briggs (Topper) third and Harry Quinn (Oppie) fourth
For the full Cadet results use this link :- http://www.nssc.org.uk/cms/images/nsscdocs/results/2016/cadwint12a.htm
Alan.S 1700
PS. Good weather all through the series with only one Sunday blown off. At times the breeze could have been a tiny bit stronger but light conditions demand the maximum concentration and feel for the zyphrs.
Sunday next is the New Years Day Race – a stand alone event – which starts at 2.00 pm (1400 hours) just to let one get over the hangover  from the previous evening.
Sunday , the week after, the Elford Numbum series kicks off – 10.30am starts are declared at this time!

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Streaker Ramblings – Freeman Iceberg Races 13 & 14 – 18.12.2016


The forecasts were nearly right, if anything too strong, as on arrival at Piddinghoe there was barely a whisper but what little there was came from the North, North East. The sky was fully overcast but it was bright with it and the sun was attempting to break through, although it has to be said it did not manage to fully show whilst the racing was on.

RO for the morning was Bill Giles and he eventually felt enough breeze to set a course for as shown below.
 

Only three Cadets signed on for the racing and as a result they joined in with the Seniors in the same start.

 
First away at the gun was Rupert Smith (Streaker) – except that he was a bit too keen and was over the line as the gun (Whistle) went and had to get back to the correct side. In the middle of the line it was Charlie Rigg (Topper) who was first (legally) away. At the shore end Laurence Venus (Streaker) made a clean start but at the pin end – where there was some ‘puff’- it was Alan Simmons (Streaker) who got the best start.
 
Ed Thorburn (Finn) swept through the fleet and was first to round the ‘windward’ mark just off the ‘Fisherman’s Bay’ only to generate a loud clunk as his boom hit it. Alan who was close behind heard the ‘collision’ and let Ed know of his error, which he quickly corrected by way of ‘turns’. Tiger Cox (Topper) was third to pass the mark with  Laurence fourth, having sailed the previous leg in the shadow of the bank. On the run across to the south east corner the breeze was even more fitful but Laurence charged up behind Alan and was less than a length behind at the mark.
 
 
He was unable to get past Alan on the ‘fetch/beat’ along the southern shore and finished the lap in third position. Rupert crossed fourth with Dave Murley (Laser Radial) fifth, Tiger sixth, Penelope Duncan (Laser Radial) seventh, Roan Brigg – in his new Topper – eighth, Natasha Stonestreet (Laser full rig) ninth. Richard Beal (Laser Radial) finished the lap in 10th place followed by Charlie 11th and Alexander Danks (Peco S/H) in 12th position.

Lap 2 had Ed maintaining the lead and Laurence catching (and passing) Alan, as both ran out of breeze at the south east mark and getting just clear ahead. He then romped away but was unable to close the gap (a minute and forty nine seconds) behind Ed. Fourth placed Rupert closed the gap behind Alan to 32 seconds. Behind these four Dave, Tiger, Penelope and Roan remained in the same relative positions. Richard went ahead of Natasha to lie 9th with Charlie remaining 11th as Alex retired.

Lap 3 and now nine boats were left racing, Charlie and Natasha having been finished at the end of lap 2. Ed still led and crossed the line 2 minutes and thirty seconds ahead of Laurence as third placed Alan (a minute behind) crossed the line still 32 seconds ahead of Rupert.  Dave was next at fifth with Tiger behind him and Roan overtaking Penelope with Richard coming home 9th.

Lap 4 was contested by only five boats with Ed crossing the line three minutes and forty nine seconds ahead of Laurence. Alan had closed the gap on Laurence reducing the deficit to seventeen seconds at the finish with Rupert having closed in on him. Dave was the last boat to finish in fifth place.

With the handicaps applied Ed was the winner, with Tiger and Laurence taking joint second place and Alan fourth.

Seniors R13

 

Class
H Cap
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
Elapsed
BCE
Points
Finn
1042
595
NSSC
Ed Thorburn
 
33.50
0.00.00
1.0
Streaker
1137
1706
NSSC
Laurence Venus
 
37.39
0.00.44
2.5
Topper
1341
41129
NSSC
Tiger Cox
 
33.18
0.00.39
2.5
Solution
1090
398
NSSC
Bill Giles
 
OOD
 
3.0
Streaker
1137
1700
Lancing S C
Alan Simmons
 
37.56
0.01.01
4.0
Streaker
1137
1681
NSSC
Rupert Smith
 
38.08
0.01.13
5.0
Topper 'c'
1341
58082
NSSC
Roan Briggs
 
33.58
0.01.19
6.0
Laser Radial
1136
142208
NSSC
David Murley
 
38.55
0.02.02
7.0
Laser Radial
1136
81
NSSC
Penelope Duncan
 
34.43
0.07.03
8.0
Laser Radial
1136
43382
NSSC
Richard Beal
 
37.50
0.10.10
9.0
Topper 'c'
1341
27531
NSSC
Charlie Rigg
 
33.55
0.12.09
10.0
Laser
1095
52386/138193
NSSC
Natasha Stonestreet
 
29.32
0.11.45
11.0
Pico 'c'
1347
Peril
NSSC
Alexander Danks
 
DNF
 
13.0

 

The second race of the day, programmed race 14, was sailed over the same course, with just a tickle more breeze, at least there were no more dead calm areas on the surface of the pond. Alexander did not take part in this race thus eleven boats came to the line for the start.

 
At the gun the three Streakers were equally along the line with Laurence at the shore end, Rupert to his lee and Alan below him. Sandwiched, between Rupert and Alan, was Penelope but still going towards the shore as the gun went. Ed was next away at the Pin end below Alan.
 
First to round the ‘windward’ mark was Ed with Laurence next, Alan third and Rupert not far astern of Alan with Dave fifth. This order was maintained to the line until the end of the first lap. Behind Dave came Penelope in sixth place, Richard seventh, Roan eighth, Tiger ninth, Charlie 10th and Natasha eleventh.

Lap 2 saw Ed pull away from Laurence to lead by 40 seconds as Laurence pulled away from Alan and Rupert closed in behind him. Behind this leading group there were no place changes but Natasha was finished at the end of the lap.

 
Lap 3 Ed increased his lead by 9 seconds ahead of Laurence as Rupert overtook Alan on the run from the Fisherman’s Bay mark to that in the south east corner crossing the line 9 seconds ahead. Dave, Penelope and Richard maintained their positions as in lap 2 as Charlie climbed up ahead of Tiger and Roan dropped back to last, 10th place. Apart from the first five boats the second five were finished at the end of this lap.

 
Lap 4 Ed continued to pull away from Laurence, crossing the finish line two minutes and thirty six seconds ahead. Rupert was third to finish some two minutes forty nine seconds behind Laurence and the same distance ahead of Alan with Dave unable to make any impression on those ahead of him.

With the Handicaps applied it was Laurence who was the winner with Ed second, Rupert third and Alan fourth.

Seniors R14

 

Class
H Cap
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
Elapsed
BCE
Points
Streaker
1137
1706
NSSC
Laurence Venus
 
42.22
0.00.00
1.0
Finn
1042
595
NSSC
Ed Thorburn
 
39.46
0.00.56
2.0
Streaker
1137
1681
NSSC
Rupert Smith
 
45.11
0.02.49
3.0
Solution
1090
398
NSSC
Bill Giles
 
OOD
 
3.0
Streaker
1137
1700
Lancing S C
Alan Simmons
 
47.07
0.04.45
4.0
Topper 'c'
1341
27531
NSSC
Charlie Rigg
 
42.17
0.04.48
5.0
Topper
1341
41129
NSSC
Tiger Cox
 
43.36
0.06.07
6.0
Topper 'c'
1341
58082
NSSC
Roan Briggs
 
48.23
0.10.54
7.0
Laser Radial
1136
142208
NSSC
David Murley
 
54.46
0.12.26
8.0
Laser Radial
1136
81
NSSC
Penelope Duncan
 
41.32
0.09.47
9.0
Laser Radial
1136
43382
NSSC
Richard Beal
 
43.09
0.11.24
10.0
Laser
1095
52386/138193
NSSC
Natasha Stonestreet
 
38.41
0.28.29
11.0

 

The Cadets having started with the Seniors in race 13  do not get their own separate report and since only two competed in the second race of the day (again starting with the seniors) the do qualify for  a (Cadet) result  for race 14.

 Cadets R13

 

Class
H'cap
SailNo
Club
HelmName
CrewName
Elapsed
BCE
Points
Topper 'c'
1341
14/7/10
NSSC
Roan Briggs
 
33.58
0.00.00
1.0
Topper 'c'
1341
27531
NSSC
Charlie Riggs
 
33.55
0.11.16
2.0
Peco 'c'
1347
Yellow S/H
NSSC
Alexander Danks
 
DNF
 
4.0

As noted above, even the forecast breeze failed to show up and what little puff that did appear made the conditions very difficult to cope with. Everyone did manage to complete at least one lap but even when the direction swung further east in the second race there was not much of a windward leg to promote place changes. The ‘long range’ forecast for Boxing Day does not offer a great deal more breeze but the situation may change – Christmas day is altogether different.

Alan.S 1700

To all who read this blog Bett and I wish you a very happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.