Freeman Iceberg Race 17 - Boxing day 2024

 

Freeman Iceberg Boxing Day 2024 – Race 17

 Grey, overcast and breezeless as we left home for Piddinghoe on Boxing Day morning. On arrival at the Pond the breeze was still missing but once changed and on the water there was just a zephyr and RO Laurence set a course around the edges of the pond with the start and finish line from the bank at the north end of the club house – see below.:-

                                 

Some fourteen boats, no Hansas out today, took to the water and at the gun most of the fleet was over the line, particularly those closer to the shore thereby causing a general recall.

At the second start Bill Wates (Laser Radial) was just ahead of Matt Springall (Laser full rig) at the pin end to lead across the line from Chris Turner (Steaker) and Rupert Smith (OK), with Geoff Sheridan (Byte CII) sandwiched between them.

 

                                        Photos courtesy of Michelle Smith

                                     

                                        Photos by Bett Simons

Alan Simmons (Streaker) at the pin end was too early and had to go back and restart - pity, as he had been well place in the first (recalled) start. 

The breeze was desperately light and Rupert was first to tack half way up the beat along the west bank.

 

Rupert was first to round the windward mark off the Fisherman’s bay several lengths ahead of Chris with Geoff, who had also made an early tack toward the west shore, third to round but by the run along the east shore had just gained an inside berth.

Alan, who had finally started well down the fleet, eventually rounded the windward mark in fourth place having by then overtaken Matt and Ed Home (Laser full rig) but with Andy Beck (Lightning) not far behind.

Next to round the windward mark was Julian Dobson (Laser full rig) followed by Matt with Ed.H behind him and with Ed Thorburn (Finn) behind him.

Red Sheridan (Oppy) found some breeze to round the windward mark ahead of Carolyn Turner (Laser Radial), David Murley (Laser Radial) and lastly Jo Bruggenwirth (Laser Radial)

 

At the front of the fleet Rupert was first to round the mark in the south east corner, only to find that the breeze had almost dropped and then changed to make the leg back to the mark in the south west corner a beat and finally into a broad reach.

   

Geoff was next to start this leg and pull away from third placed Chris.  With the strength (or lack) of breeze and its direction constantly changing Alan managed to stay ahead of Andy and caught up with Chris, at one point inches ahead. 

Alan had to give room to Chris, being on the outside and allowing him to finish in third place. And crossed the line in fouth position.

 

The battle on the leg along the east shore was still ongoing with Julian leading Matt and Ed.H. Behind them were Ed.T and a bunch led by Dave with Red next then Jo, Bill and Carolyn.

 

The following, penultimate leg, along the south shore saw even more changes of order behind the leading five with Ed.H crossing the line 6th, Julian 7th, Dave 8th,  Ed.T 9th, Matt 10th, Bill 11th, red 12th, Carolyn 13th and Jo 14th.

With Handicaps applied the winner of the race was Rupert with Red second, Geoff third, Chris fourth and Alan fifth – see results below:-

Race 17 - 26/12/24 -Provisional

 

Rank	Fleet	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Finish	Elapsed	Laps	Corrected	Points
1	Menagerie	Saxon	OK	2239	NSSC	Rupert Smith		1100		36.32	1	0.33.13	1.0
2	Menagerie	Sea Horse	Optimist	614	NSSC	Red Sheridan		1628		62.37	1	0.38.28	2.0
3	Menagerie	Mothers Ruin	Byte CII	3394	NSSC	Geoff Sheridan		1132		44.58	1	0.39.43	3.0
4	Menagerie		Streaker	1681	NSSC	Chris Turner		1124		46.37	1	0.41.28	4.0
5	Menagerie	TFB	Streaker	1832	Lancing	Alan Simmons		1124		46.59	1	0.41.48	5.0
6	Menagerie	Blitz	Lightning 368	225	NSSC	Andrew Beck		1160		48.43	1	0.42.00	6.0
7	Laser Hull		LASER RADIAL	183952	NSSC	Ed Horne		1154		50.38	1	0.43.53	7.0
8	Laser Hull		LASER RADIAL	142208	NSSC	Dave Murley		1154		53.39	1	0.46.29	8.0
9	Laser Hull		LASER	7	NSSC	Julian Dobson		1102		52.59	1	0.48.05	9.0
10	Menagerie		LASER RADIAL	26	NSSC	Bill Wates		1154		56.34	1	0.49.01	10.0
11	Laser Hull		LASER/ ILCA 7	207006	NSSC	Matt Springall		1102		55.06	1	0.50.00	11.0
12	Menagerie		Finn	595	NSSC	Ed Thorburn		1047		54.44	1	0.52.17	12.0
13	Laser Hull		LASER RADIAL	158365	NSSC	Carolyn Turner		1154		64.30	1	0.55.54	13.0
14	Laser Hull		LASER RADIAL	166421	NSSC	Jo Bruggenwirth		1154		65.09	1	0.56.27	14.0

 

Sorry for the shortness and detail of this report but the lack of wind causing the race to be just the single lap made thing rather difficult – it is only Bett’s Photos (and those posted  by Michelle Smith on the NSSC page on WhatsApp) that show any individual positions as the race progressed.

With all ashore and packed up the Prize giving was held. The winner of the Freeman Iceberg 2024 series was Jazz Tuner, who was not present, accepted by Chris. Second placed on equal points, but with one less first place was Red Sheridan with Rupert Smith third 0.4 points behind. Red was also the winner of the Cadet trophy.

This has been a very well attended series with 38 boats completing at least one race and thirtyish regular attendees.

The weather has been a bit iffy with Races FI 7, 8 11,12, 15 and 16 not sailed due to strong winds.

The next race is due to be sailed on New Year’s Day afternoon with the start at 2pm (1400 hours). The forecast is  for very strong winds, not looking good but it can change.

Alan.S 1832