Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Races 1 & 2 - 03/01/2016

It was blowing half a gale as we left Hove for Piddinghoe, fully grey overcast skies and raining as well. On arrival it was not quite up to forecast (30 to 32 knots) but not far off. Laurence Venus arrived on site at the pond a few seconds after us saying that he was RO for the event. He set a course which avoided any gybing due to its  X type configuration. 

Below is Laurence’s  account of the proceedings:-

When I arrived Mike Godwin was out on his Sprint 15 cat and conditions weren’t too bad then (at 9:30 am) but the wind was increasing then he began to struggle a bit and came in with a broken batten. (He didn’t intend to race with the dinghies, he just wanted to have a sail before any dinghies went out)

I was RO and said they could have a race only if 3 boats could actually start, on the water was not good enough, if 3 couldn’t manage to cross the start line then the race would be abandoned. Well 5 nutters decided to try, even though I had warned them the wind was going to increase. Initially it looked just about sailable. Michael Veale and Mike Rosier went out in their RS 200 and capsized at least a couple of times then came in with a broken tiller.

They then borrowed another rudder and went out again. By the time the race was due to start it was F6 gusting 7 at Piddinghoe (F8+ at Seaford) and two of the Lasers were struggling to get anywhere near the start line.

Rupert was first away with the RS 200 close on his heels then, on the broad reach, the RS 200 put his spinnaker up and soon capsized, then the third boat manage to start which was James Cuxson sailing a Radial, he was ok until half way down the reach he also capsized.

Then eventually Chas Humphries, after several capsizes, manage to cross the start line by which time Rupert had done half a lap. Chas only got as far as the first mark before retiring. In the meantime Bill Wates following several capsizes lost his rudder and came in without getting anywhere near the start. Rupert struggled on but the wind was whistling in the rigging and it now F7 gusting 8. After just over 6 minutes he completed a lap but decided to retire.

James got to the end of the broad reach and capsized again and drifted onto the leeward bank and had to be rescued.

The RS 200 carried on despite more capsizes, he completed lap 2 after 16 minutes when I decided to finish the race. It may have been one very short race but enough was enough, no one even considered staying out for another race which I wasn’t prepared to let them sail anyway. Michael and Mike being the only boat to finish they won.

Crazy conditions.

Jamie Smith and Barry Lowton did a good job on the rescue boat and after the race carried on in the pouring rain with Bill on board looking for Bills rudder but no luck they couldn’t find it.

Laurence Venus.

R1

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Hot Toddy	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1047	16.04	0.00.00	1.0
2	Misty Blue	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence venus		1138	OOD		3.0
2		Laser 4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith (c)		1195	OOD		3.0
4	Scoundrel	Streaker	1681	NSSC	Rupert Smith		1138	DNF		6.0
4		Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1091	DNS		6.0
4	Donna Lee	Laser Radial	179808	NSSC	James Cuxson (c)		1135	DNF		6.0
4		Laser	138193	NSSC	Chas Humphries		1091	DNF		6.0
4		Laser	191067	Pevensey Bay	Roger McCall		1091	DNC		6.0

Roger McCall (Pevensey Bay) got changed and prepared his Laser but then decided it would be wiser to stay ashore.
Alan.s1700