Elford Numbum Race 15 - 20/02/2022

Elford Numbum Race 15 – 20/02/2022

After the storms and with the wind still blowing a hooley across Hangleton Valley this morning we left home assuming that there would not be a race – the last of the series – on Piddinghoe. On arrival, with the intention of just checking on the security of the Streaker –which as it happened was fine – it was announced that four boats (foolishly?) wanted to race.

Rupert Smith took the safety boat out to arrange a course and Matt Springall and mum Penny were roped in to carry out RO and ARO duties. Rupert’s course was a figure of eight with the start (and Finish) line from the engine loading area of the west bank in front of the clubhouse. The first leg was almost dead downwind with a gybe at the end, then a short broad reach to a mark off the Fisherman’s bay. Following that there was a close reach cross the pond to a mark off the south bank and then a beat back to a turning mark in the south west corner and then a short off-wind leg to the start mark, as below:-

There were a few capsizes before the race began, Peter Burch (Laser full rig), Thomas Harland-Smith and Lewis Johns (Laser full rig) leaving only Ed Thorburn (Finn) remaining upright – something he maintained through out the race as it happens. Thomas never made it to the start as he snapped his tiller extension in two as he capsized and he just managed, against the wind, to get back to the east end of the south bank.

Consequently at the gun just Lewis and Ed.T went across the line, with Lewis nearer to the shore end. Peter, right at the shore end, did not seem to know what was happening but finally set off towards the mark in the north east corner. 

Lewis had his first capsize, in the race, on that first downwind leg whilst Ed.T decided to wear round, instead of gybing at that mark. Peter was also getting in plenty of swimming as he capsized on that leg too, or was it two!

Ed.T managed to miss out the mark in the south west corner at the end of the first lap so appeared to set up a good distance ahead of Lewis. Peter however round correctly on this lap.

Lap 2 saw Ed.T leading the group (too small to call a fleet) but still missing out that pen-ultimate mark in the south west corner. Lewis was second across the line and still on the proper course whilst Peter did an ‘Ed’ and rounded the wrong mark having previously hit the water again.

Lap 3 saw Ed.T still in front on the water and this time rounding the corner mark correctly with Lewis 2 minutes behind – having had another long capsize, recover, capsize. Peter was not immune as he had a swim too and missed out two marks.

Lap 4 saw Ed.T first to cross the line- but he had only completed two laps correctly. Peter was next to cross the finish line but he too was was down to only finishing one lap correctly. Lewis, although crossing the line third was the only one of the three to sail the correct course.

The application of Handicaps was rather achedemic considering the incorrerectly finished laps of the other pair and thus he was declared the winner with Ed.T second and Peter third.

Results:-                            Race 15 - 20/02/2022 at 10.30

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Fleet	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Finish	Elapsed	Laps	Corrected	BCE	Points
1	Laser Hull		LASER	179808	NSSC	Lewis Johns		1100		20.03	4	0.18.14	0.00.00	1.0
2	Menagerie		FINN	595	NSSC	Ed Thorburn		1049		46.32	2	1.28.43	0.36.58	2.0
3	Laser Hull		LASER	189641	NSSC	Peter Burch		1100		29.14	1	1.46.18	0.24.13	3.0
4	Laser Hull	Calimity	LASER RADIAL	72341	NSSC	Thomas Harland-Smith		1147		DNS				44.0
4	Laser Hull		LASER	207006	NSSC	Matt Springall		1100		OOD				44.0
4	Menagerie	Scoundrel	STREAKER	1681	NSSC	Rupert Smith		1128		OOD				44.0

This being this being the last race in the Series there should have been a prize giving ceremony. Given the forecast however it had been thought that thre would be no race and as a result no prizes/ Trophies were on hand. The outright winner of the series however was Thomas Harland-Smith with Lewis Johns in second place, Ed Thorburn third, Geoff Sheridan fourth and Julian Dobson fifth. For the details of all the entrants and positions achieved go to the NSSC web site :- Sailwave results for Elford Numbum 2022 at Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club. Seaford 2022 (sailinginsussex.org)

The series had been a success, only two races were not held due to strong winds and only three were held in ‘heavy’ conditions – which the writer declined to sail in or came back ashore very rapidly having ‘tried the waters’.

Next weekend the Dinghy show is on at Farnborough and the four week Duncan Dash series starts on Sunday at the Pond with Sea Sailing at NSSC commencing on 27^th March.

The writer will not be sailing/reporting on the Duncan Dash races – some one else must do the honours if it is required – and thus with no Streaker Open at NSSC this year it will be Sailing Week (25^th to 29^th July) before he visits the club again and consequently Streaker Ramblings is going off line until at least those later dates.

Alan.S 1832