Friday 27 April 2018

Streaker Ramblings - Streaker Open at Burghfield - 21.04.2018


Saturday 21st April saw the Streaker Open meeting at Burghfield. The meeting was held jointly with Solos – 19 boats and Comets – 22 boats with 15 Streakers. It was a light wind day with warm sunshine in the morning giving way to more overcast conditions later.
Our journey to the lake was interesting to say the least. After leaving Hove we got onto the M25 at Pease Pottage only to be directed off at the next junction (for Crawley) as the motorway was closed for repairs to the north carriageway. After the diversion we carried on up the A25 to Redhill. I was sure that we could get back on the M25 from there but if there was a link then I missed it – should have gone to Reigate anyway. In the end we arrived in Coulsdon and had to take another route back south west to join the motorway.
The net result of the huge detours, and hold ups, was that we arrived and were half way through rigging when the fleets went afloat – they themselves were late in starting out due to lack of breeze.
When I finally got out to the starting area the Comets, last of the three fleet to start, were in their final minute before their off gun. I decided to start with them and endeavour to give them all plenty of space and generally keep out of their way whilst completing the course which I think I generally did.
Given the light breeze the RO did a good job in setting a course. The windward mark was hidden on the far, East, side of one of the larger Islands, generally as shown below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following report is provided by Veronia Falat who has kindly given me permission to use it in this blog – the photographs used are as usual courtesy of Bett Simmons.
 
In Race 1, Isaac Marsh was soon in the lead with Duncan McDonald close behind. The chasing pack of Kevin Druce, Chris Smith, Veronica Falat, and Mark Langston fought amongst themselves until Veronica pulled clear to take 3rd place and Mark was 4th. The wind had been very light and patchy and, as this was a joint event with Solos and Comets, we had to wait for the other boats to complete their races before we could go again – and the Comet fleet was stuck for quite a while in a flat calm.
 
So the OOD gave pity on us and sent everyone in for an early lunch. There were hopes of sailing 3 races in the afternoon but the wind conditions didn't improve so we only got 2 more.
 
 
The RO made a slight adjustment to the course for Race 2 again which saw Isaac out in front but he was given a good race by Veronica and Duncan, while James Dawes took 4th ahead of Kevin Druce and Brenda Hoult.
 
Duncan was the early leader of Race 3 but it was Veronica who managed to overtake and pull clear while Duncan held off Isaac to take 2nd place. Further back, James was 4th again with Doug Horner 5th.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overall Isaac was the winner but his results won't count for the Southern Paddle travellers series as he is experimenting with various things that are currently not class legal. Most noticeable is his sail which doesn't conform to the rule requiring Streaker sails to be white. He was also using a carbon boom and experimenting with means for easier adjustment of the aft mainsheet bridle. These are all matters that no doubt will be agenda items for the class AGM during the Nationals in late June.
 
Overall Results:
Pos
Sail No
Helm
Club
R1
R2
R3
Pts
1
I995
Isaac Marsh
Northampton SC
1
1
‑3
2
2
1972
Veronica Falat
Waveney & Oulton Broad YC
‑3
2
1
3
3
2102
Duncan McDonald
Newhaven & Seaford SC
2
‑3
2
4
4
1985
James Dawes
Redditch SC
‑13
4
4
8
5
1940
Doug Horner
Swanage SC
6
‑8
5
11
6
1971
Kevin Druce
Burghfield SC
‑7
5
6
11
7
1975
Brenda Hoult
Hayling Island SC
5
6
‑10
11
8
1920
Mark Langston
Beccles Amateur SC
4
‑9
9
13
9
1844
Chris Smith
Island Barn SC
8
‑11
7
15
10
1681
Rupert Smith
Newhaven & Seaford SC
(DNF)
7
8
15
11
1929
Peter Withrington
Burghfield SC
9
‑13
11
20
12
1568
Jon Blankley
Beccles Amateur SC
11
10
(DNF)
21
13
1983
Ken Hydon
Burghfield SC
10
‑14
13
23
14
1700
Alan Simmons
Lancing SC
‑14
12
12
24
15
1944
Peter Russell
Burghfield
12
‑15
14
26
I asked Veronica for permission to use her report, since I was so far back in each race, I could not even see who was leading who and we did not get sight of the lap sheets anyway. I will try to do better next time I go to an Open. I don’t think I will be going to Beccles or Downs so Newhaven and Seaford looks to be my next outing.
Alan.S 1700

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