Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Races 13 & 14 - 14/02/2016

Bright with patchy dark cloud and a fresh breeze, as we departed Hove this morning. On arrival at the pond the breeze was still brisk but not too much to sail in for me so I took my gear to the changing room and then set about getting the boat uncovered for rigging. The forecast was not good, with the north easterly direction making it feel very cold, and to increase towards 26 knots by midday. Within a few minutes what had seemed sailable for me became too much and the cover went back on again. A few hardy souls arrived and Laurence Venus (Streaker) decided to use his smaller ‘Wave’ sail.

The race team for the morning, John and Anna Freeman with Jonty in the safety boat with Penelope Duncan, set up a course with an extra loop in it as shown below.

Eight boats came to the line for the first race of the day. At the start, which was a bit ragged, Roger McCall (Laser full rig) was first across the line near to the shore end. Next away was Charlie Rigg (Topper) and then Laurence who was just ahead of Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS200) and then Rupert Smith (Streaker). Behind them were James Cuxson (Laser Radial), Bill Wates (Laser full rig) and Dave Murley (Laser Radial).

Roger got caught in the wind shadow from the hut and trees near the bank as it was Laurence who rounded the windward mark, off the Fisherman’s bay in the lead with Roger next and then Rupert on the outside of Michael.

All set off down the reach to the ‘spotted’ mark. Laurence made a crucial mistake however and rounded it in the wrong direction. Having been made aware of his error, by shouts from behind, he corrected his course to round in sixth position. At the end of the ‘return’ beat Rupert was in the lead with Michael behind and Roger behind him. Rupert  had to negotiate an upturned Dave on the ensuing reach to the mark off the middle of the eastern shore and thence behind the Island.

As the fleet concluded the somewhat awesome reach up the south side Rupert was leading with Roger second and Laurence now back up to third just ahead of Michael. Behind these four Bill.W was having a tussle with James.C who crossed the line 4 seconds ahead. Behind them were a now recovered Dave and lastly Charlie.

Lap 2 saw Rupert extend his lead to 15 seconds ahead of Michael who had passed Laurence and Roger, who was also 3 seconds ahead of Laurence. Bill came across the line who was 19 seconds ahead of James. Dave and Charlie remained 7^th and 8^th respectively.

Lap 3 saw Rupert extend his lead to 54 seconds from Michael  who was 38 seconds in front of Laurence. Roger started the lap in front of Laurence but went into Irons at the beginning of the lap and then decided that it was getting a bit too windy for his liking and so retired. Bill.W was now in fourth and at the line was 16 seconds in front of James. Behind them came Dave and Charlie.

Lap 4 , the final lap, had Rupert cruising to the line to cross 12 seconds in front of Michael who had made up a good bit of ground. Laurence crossed in third position with James next, having overtaken Bill.W who had found the ‘full rig’ a bit much of a handfull and was seen to be sailing well below the course on the second windward leg of the lap. Roger’, having retired and Charlie finished at the end of the previous lap, it was left Dave to bring up the rear.

With Handicaps applied the winner of the race was Rupert with Laurence taking second, Michael third and James fourth.

R11 - 14.2.16

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Scoundrel	Streaker	1681	NSSC	Rupert Smith		26.07	0.00.00	1.0
2	Mistyblue	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		28.37	0.02.30	2.0
3	Hot Toddy	RS 200	582	NSSC	Micheal Veale	Mike Rosier	26.55	0.02.53	3.0
3		Laser Radial	192842	NSSC	Jonty Freeman		OOD		3.0
5	Donna Lee	Laser Radial 'c'	174808	NSSC	James Cuxson		29.36	0.03.33	4.0
6		Laser Radial	142208	NSSC	David Murley		32.16	0.06.13	5.0
7		Laser	26/133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		31.58	0.06.56	6.0
8		Topper 'c'	27531	NSSC	Charlie Riggs		34.19	0.11.15	7.0
9		Laser	191067	Pevensey SC	Roger McCall		DNF		9.0

Although the safety boat was not too occupied with capsizes the competitors had had a very hard race and were not unduly concerned when the second programmed race was cancelled. Yours truely would have loved to race but had taken a wise decision to stay ashore and watch the high jinks afloat.

Alan.S 1700