Streaker Ramblings

Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 3 - 22 nd Jan 2012

2012-01-22T22:41:00.000Z

Before breakfast the sky was mostly blue but on our trip over to Piddinghoe half an hour later it was a grey sky with the odd patch of blue. The breeze was from the west and on arrival at the pond a good force 3 with stronger gusts.
Kay set a course with an initial beat from the flagpole area to the mark in the corner by the clubhouse and then a broad reach to the north east corner with a gybe to a mark mid way along the eastern shore. There then followed a beat back to the start mark and after rounding a very broad reach back to the east side. After that it was a close reach behind the island and then a long beat, through the start line, to the corner mark finish line.
Windguru’s forcast of force 4, 5 and then 6 at noon before dropping back to force 4 in the afternoon obviously put off a few folk as only four hardies turned out.
Michael Veale and Mike Rosier in their RS 200 (NSSC), Jack Turner and James Bovington in their Laser II (NSSC) – repaired after Mum and Dad’s breakages of last week - Roger McAll in his full rig Laser (Pevensey Bay) and Alan Simmons in his Streaker (Lancing).

At the start Michael.V was just behind Alan.S and both heading for the bank, whilst Roger. McA was a bit closer to the pin and Jack.T was even closer . Michael.V had his bows just ahead of Alan and forced the latter to tack off when calling for water on the bankside. Roger meanwhile had already tacked and was first off onto the reach. Alan caught a nice gust or two and passed Roger on this leg whilst Michael used his spinnaker to pass the pair and Jack closed up behind, passing Roger after the gybe. Roger then rolled it in and with no wet or dry suit clothing decided that he would soon get very cold. After help from the safety boat he headed back to shore and took no further part in the event.

Michael nearly tipped the RS 200 in on the following beat – he had already had a swim before the race started – but recovered only to be overtaken by Jack. Michael and Jack had a good battle thereafter with Jack managing to hit the start mark at the end of the sausage leg – and do a 360 degree turn – in lap two. Jack also managed to get stuck in irons as he rounded the finish mark at the end of In lap 6, but he did finish ahead of Michael. Michael did capsize after all in lap 7 over on the east side (where Roger had his dip) and allowed Alan to catch up.

Alan survived the race in an almost entirely upright mode, the sudden vicious gusts – up to a good force 5 and above the average force 4 – not withstanding he had a few near misses. At the finish he was just 2 minutes behind the Laser II and a minute and a quarter behind the RS 200 beating both well on handicap.

It was a tough but enjoyable race for all three finishers, pity more had not ignored the forcast and come down for a sail. The actual weather at the pond is the only information one needs. If you can see white water and waves breaking (usually) on the eastern shore it might just be a little too hairy to venture out – unless you are young, very healthy and probably a trifle mad!
Results (Unofficial, Unchecked) :-
1st. Alan Simmons, 2nd Michael Veale, 3rd. Jack Turner, Retired – Roger McAll and OOD, Chas Humphries.
Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Elford Numbum Race 2 - 15th January 2012

2012-01-15T20:25:00.001Z

A nice bright shiny morning, Pale blue, almost cloudless skies and a hint of breeze from the south east – not had that even in the Freeman Iceberg series.

Kay (RO) set the course, starting near the main flagpole with a beat (almost make it in one) down to the southeat corner followed by a short run behind the island. The next leg was a broad reach back to the start mark, a gybe and a close reach back to a mark halfway along the eastern side. Another gybe and then after turning a mark in the far north corner it was a close reach/loose beat back past the club before off down the southern side again.
The breeze was up to a good force 4 by the time all ten boats got on the water but thankfully it was not quite as gusty as usual. The line was a bit shorter than it has been of late but four boats were right there at the gun with Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC) getting the jump on Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) to windward and Alex Mills Barton (Laser full rig,NSSC) to leeward with Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) even a bit further to leeward.

Close at hand to these four were Roger McAll (Laser full rig,Pevensey Bay SC) and Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC)

All and those following made it safely down the first leg, around the gybe at the bottom and along the short run. On broad reach Alex.M B planed past Paul.R taking a lead which he held to the finish – at the end of the 10^th lap he was 4 minutes ahead of Paul.R. There was a scrap throughout the race between Paul.R and Matt.S –at the end of lap7 they were just 4 seconds apart after 45 minutes racing.

At the end of the first beat in lap two Roger.Mc managed to capsize at the gybe mark just ahead of Alan.S Alan seeing the event happen just before he himself had to gybe enquired if Roger was OK only to be told ‘No I need assistance’. Alan broke off and managed to get hold of the Laser’s mast and up right the boat but Roger could not hold it and it capsized again this time putting the mast head in the mud. Alan had nothing to get hold of but awaited the arrival of the Safety boat from the north end of the pond whilst Roger stood on the plate. When said safety boat arrived Alan continued his race but by that time in 10^th place on the water.

At the end of lap 2 Steve and Penelope Duncan (Fireball, NSSC) had moved into 4^th place behind Matt.S. Darren. F was still ahead of Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) with Chris and Carolyn Turner (LaserII, NSCC) tucked in behind them. Bringing up the rear were Chas Humpries and Bill Wates – both in Laser full rigs from the home club – with Alan.S by then behind them.

In lap 3 Bill Wates got a bit lost on the course and had to undo the situation dropping him behind Alan.S. In lap 7 Matt.S managed to hit the ‘original’ start mark and then in lap 8 to miss it completely. Since the mark was part of the course, according to the RO, he was disqualified. Also in lap 7 Chris and Carolyn.T suffered a block coming loose on the boom and had to retire.

As Alan.S was on his way down the south side of the pond on his 10^th lap he spotted Paul.R returning from the bottom mark with his sail looking rather sad and as he got closer observed Paul’s top mast section to fold gently forwards – he looked rather like an ‘Anhinga’ – a bird some like our Heron but which lives in the Florida everglades and hunts by folding its wings forwards over it head and body rather like an umbrella.

At some point in the race, the writer is not quite sure when, Bill.W capsized and punched the top of his mast into the mud. He said would not have had a good sail on the pond if he had finished the race with a clean sail.

On calculating the results the RO awarded Alan.S redress for his part in Roger Mc’s Laser ‘rescue’ in the form of a deduction of some 3 minutes. Nowhere near enough to catch Alex but sufficient to give him a second place.

Results (Unofficial, Unchecked):-

1^st. Alex Mills-Barton, 2^nd. Alan Simmons, 3^rd. Darren Field, 4^th.Michael Veale, 5^th. Steve Duncan, 6^th. Chas Humphries, 7^th. Bill Wates.

After conclusion of the Race the Freeman Iceberg Trophy was presented by John Freeman to his son Jonty. Due to mix up and computer failure the trophy had been incorrectly presented to Eddie Thorburn. When the results of the last Iceberg race had been entered in the Sailwave program and whilst the two competitors had equal points Jonty had a better placing in the final race of that series.

Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Elford Numbum Race 1 - 8th January 2012

2012-01-10T13:45:00.002Z

It was grey overcast (high Thin Cloud) as we left home for Piddinghoe with just the hint of a breeze from the north but thankfully not cold.

Kay (RO) set a course starting with a short beat from near the flagpole to the north west corner by the clubhouse with a close reach along the north shore to the north east corner. After a gybe there was a run to a mark half way along the eastern shore and then a close reach behind the island to the south east corner. From here there was a windward leg to a mark mid way along the north shore turning onto a reach back to the start mark and finally a short beat to the finish off the clubhouse.
Some seventeen boats went onto the water although one, a Mirror, did not participate in the racing. Although it was a good length line (for the Pond) it was full to capacity at the start but unfortunately nearly everybody was over and Kay called a general recall.

At the second start Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) was first off the blocks but just a bit too early and over the line again next was Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC) a little closer inshore - unfortunately he too was over the line and had to return to start correctly. Up near the pin end were Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) with Roger McAll (Laser full rig, BexhillSC) a tad further down the line was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig,Hardway SC)

Behind the group at the pin end was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) who crossed the line and then tacked off on port to get clear of the inshore boats. It paid off as when he tacked back onto starboard he made the mark in fifth place behind Rupert.S, Michael.V, Paul.R and Roger.Mc. In the ensuing lap Rupert.S pulled away and established a firm lead – a position he then held until the finish. Paul.R also passed the RS200 of Michael.V who was being closely persued by Alan.S with Laurence.V not far behind him.
By the end of lap 3 the order was Rupert.S, Paul.R, Laurence.V and then Alan.S. Matt.S had managed to get back into the race and finished this lap on the same time as Roger.Mc both behind this group. In the light breeze – rarely above a force 2 – Michael.V and, in spite of using his spinnaker on the offwind legs, dropped back to 8^th on the water and finished the race in that position.

Matt.S and Roger.Mc had some close combat during the race as did Paul.R, Laurence.V and Alan.S with Paul.R passing Alan.S again in lap 7.
Further back down the fleet Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Howard Minter – in his first Piddinghoe venture - (Laser full rig, NSSC) were in constant tussels with Michael.V also envolved. Bill.W had the most noteworty event of the race befall him in lap 6 when he hit a mark. Whilst doing the relevant 360 degree turn – as he thought, incorrectly, around the mark – he hit it for a second time and did another 360. The effect of all this pirouetting dropped him from 7th in lap 5 to 12th by the finish. A little further back still Chris Turner (Laser Radial, NSSC) ,with the reduced sail area, was initially sparing with Alice Smith but by lap 6 he had started to climb up from 13th to finally finish as 9th on the water.

Dan Ford(NSSC) gamely sailed his Magno without his usual crew Becca but the lesser crew weight did not help much with the overall speed. A certain Ben Ford (NSSC) was sailing a mirror single handed and without a jib which must have been incredibly slow and probably why he retired in lap 2.
The two Laser IIs of Jack Turner crewed by James Bovington and Alice Smith with Sasha Stonard (all of NSSC) did not find the conditions to their liking – a Laser II needs a bit of breeze to get it going. Alice finished ahead of Jack in spite of the latter flying his spinnaker during the race.

Sailing all alone without any direct competition Carolyn Turner in an un-numbered Pico gamely completed 5 laps in the unsuitable light breezes – like the Laser IIs the Pico like a bit of wind – but regrettably was still place 15^th and last. Would a jib here have helped, well perhaps a tad and might have gained one place.
At the finish the order, of the top group, was Rupert.S, Laurence.V, Paul.R, Alan.S, Matt.S (just one second behind) and then Roger.Mc. Once the handicaps had been applied the two Streakers (on their club reduced handicaps of 1148) had still come out in front.

Results (Unchecked,Unapproved) :-

1^st. Laurence Venus, 2^nd. Alan Simmons, 3^rd. Rupert Smith, 4^th. Paul Ryan, 5^th Matt Springhall, 6^th. Roger Mcall, 7^th. Chris Turner, 8^th.Julian Dobson, 9^th. Howard Minter,

10^th. Bill Wates, 11^th Michael Veale, 12^th Dan Ford, 13^th.Alice Smith, 14^th. Jack Turner, 15^th Carolyn Turner. 16^th Ben Ford (Retired).

Alan.S 1700.

PS. If you have any corrections, tales to add, comments of any sort please use the facility below to add to this, or any other of my blogs.

PPS. Double click any picture to magnify its size.

Streakerramblings - New Year's Day Race - Piddinghoe

2012-01-02T12:43:00.002Z

Fully overcast and raining , lightly as we left home at about noon this New Year’s Day Race.

On arrival at Piddinghoe the rain was heavier and the breeze just a light force 2 ish from the South.By the time the 7 entries got on the water the breeze had come up to a good force 3 and with gusts of force 4 to 5.

The course was one used previously for the Freeman Iceberg – a very short windward (southerly) start to a turning mark off the clubhouse then a long broad reach down the southern side of the pond.
At the eastern end there was a gybe (around a repositioned and re-anchored) mark onto a run behind the island. Mid way along the eastern side was a mark onto a windward leg to a mark off the flagpole then turning onto a run to the north eastern corner finishing with a beat back to the start line.

At the start it was Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC) who, having just recovered from a capsize, found himself right by the pin and first over the line. Alongside him but slightly to leeward was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC). Alan had the speed however and was ahead by the turning mark and off onto the somewhat hairy broad reach. Just behind this pair were Michael Veale (RS 200, NSSC) and Mike Rosier (Laser II, NSSC) once again using the strange cut down Scorpion rig. Bringing up the rear were Dan Ford and Becca Gibson (Magno, NSSC), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig,NSSC) and Phil in an un-numbered Pico. Also on the water and intending to join in the race was Jonty Freeman (NSSC) with a Sailboard wearing a ‘HiFly’ rig. Whether it was the wind strength or the cold water Jonty did not last more than three laps before heading ashore.

The race was a bit processional as Alan.S went into the lead from the start and stayed there throughout the race. Similarly Michael.V took second spot early in lap 1 and was not challenged to the finish- some 2 minutes behind Alan. For the first two laps Mike.R held third place ahead of Julian.D until a block in his mainsheet system failed during lap 3. After repairs Mike got back into third spot.

There were several capsizes, Bill Wates owned up to at least three and Dan.F was seen to be doing a pond bottom survey fairly early on in his race. Likewise Julian.D was seen with somewhat raised daggerboard whist going to windward and probably had at least one knockdown ion lap 3. Michael.V admitted that he could have been a bit closer to Alan had he had the courage to fly his spinnaker – there were three legs possible each lap- but the gusty conditions put him off.

Phil in the Pico managed to miss the start line mark at the end of lap one and again later and so had no result otherwise he would have been fairly well placed.

Results (unchecked/unofficial):-

1^st. Alan Simmons, 2^nd. Michael Veale, 3^rd= Julian Dobson, 3^rd= Mike Rosier, 5^th. Bill Wates, 6^th. Dan Ford, 7^th. (Disq) Phill Xxxx

Alan was pleased to have made it round the course without a full capsize, he had at least two near misses, being able to view his Daggerboard full length before recovering. With the continuous heavy rain he also had great difficulty in spotting some of the marks until very close to them. It was the miserable looking conditions that led Laurence Venus to decide not to get rigged and enter the race.

The hope is that the weather conditions experienced (which obviously led to the reduced numbers) are not a foretaste of what is to come in the Elford Numbum series due to start next Sunday 8^th Jan although at the time of writing this blog the sky is clear and blue and the Sun shining strongly and just a gentle breeze blowing.
Alan.S 1700
PS. Sorry for the marks on the pictures - rain drops!

Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Race 8 26.12.2011

2011-12-28T10:37:00.001Z

The drive to Piddinghoe Boxing Day morning was grey overcast, a light drizzle and just a whisp of breeze. Windguru for Seaford had been forcasting a force 4 westerly for the day but it did not develop. The breeze was certainly westerly but with a good bit of southerly in it too.
Thirteen boats took to the water on an unusual figure of eight course starting with a tiny windward leg in front of the clubhouse and then off on a very broad reach across to the east side of the pond. A gybe or a hardening up – depending upon which tack one approached from – led to a very close reach across behind the island to the south east corner. From there it was a beat up to the mark off the flag pole and then a reach to North east corner before turning westwards to beat back to the club house and start mark. The breeze was somewhere between force 2 and 3 with occasional gusts just about in the force 4 area – the occasional plane was possible.

At the start gun, of the thirteen strong fleet, three Lasers were first away - Matt Springhall (Laser full rig, NSSC) then Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC) and last of the set Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC). Just behind them were Alice Smith (Topper, NSSC), Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) and then Tim Cox (Laser full rig) with Ed Thorburn (Finn, NSSC) trailing him.

By the end of the first lap Matt.S on his first outing of the year led Ed.T with Paul.R in third position just 2 seconds behind. In fourth spot Jonty.F was in front of Alan.S who, in turn, was one second ahead of Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC). Alan and Rupert had a battle throughout the first half of the race changing places regularly and rarely more than 10 seconds apart at the end of a lap. It was lap six before Rupert really began to pull away.

By the finish of lap 2 the order had settled to Ed.T , Paul.R, Matt.S and Jonty.F.

During lap 4 Steve and Penelope Duncan (Fireball, NSSC) who were coming up behind Alan.S – then in 6^th place – but suddenly dropped well back. It was afterwards discovered that the Jib had been incorrectly rigged and words with the crew resulted in near mutiny. It was a long and slow recovery to get up to 10^th on the water by the end of lap 7. Also in this lap Matt.S having just gone on to the reach across to the north east corner had a sudden falling out with his boat an equally sudden falling in to the water. This slowed him down rather as First Jonty, then Rupert and then Alan all passed him and he was unable to recover to better than 6^th place on the water.

Another event occurred at one of the turning marks when a Laser loudly called for water, to which allegedly, he was not entitled. The was quite a bit of returning loud calls and the threat of protest but as far as the writer is concerned had not happened by the time of the prize giving.

One boat was afloat in a very curious garb, namely a Laser II (Hull) with a sail bearing a Scorpion insignia and a dubiously high sail number. Mike Rosier and crew Chris (NSSC) had sailed in a number of craft in this series but this was the strangest to date. They did manage to stay ahead of Jack Turner and James Bovington (Laser II, NSSC) in their conventionally rigged boat, who had had a bit of an up and a down race in the light breeze and just about able to stay ahead of Alice.S in her Topper.

Tim.C was consistant in the full rig Laser, he had borrowed from Bill Wates, only dropping from 7^th (on the water) in lap 3 when Steve.D – who had been tied with him at the end of lap 2 – briefly got ahead. Steve’s problems, mentioned above, then allowed him back into 7^th spot.

Bill Wates, having loaned his boat to Tim.C went on to crew for Michael Veale (in his RS 200, NSSC). They did manage to fly the spinnaker but it did them no good in the light conditions. Dan Ford and Becca Gibson (Magno, NSSC) fought their way gamely around the course with, as far as was seen , just one capsize – the reason for this is unknown but it could be that Becca is not getting her weight onto the side deck at exactly the correct moment.

At the finish of this final race of the series, after some nine laps, the order was Ed.T, Paul.R, Jonty, F, Rupert.S Alan. S, Matt.S and Tim.C the remainder of the fleet finishing at least on the previous lap. With the handicaps calculated the winner was Alan with Jonty 2^nd and Ed in third spot.

Results – Race 8 (unofficial/unchecked) :-

1^st.Alan Simmons, 2^nd Jonty Freeman, 3^rd. Ed Thorburn, 4^th. Paul Ryan, 5^th Rupert Smith, 6^th. Matt Springhall, 7^th. Tim Cox, 8^th Alice Smith, 9^th. Mike Rosier, 10^th Dan Ford and Jack Turner, 12^th. Michael Veale, 13^th Steve Duncan.

The series this year has had more strong wind than in the previous couple of years meaning that the younger, fitter helms have benefitted more than some of the old-uns (the writer included in that group) but the turnouts have been good and a few new faces have turned up. As always the Race Officer, Kay Young , has done sterling work – setting up the courses and recording the lap times – in all kinds of weather, although fortunately no snow this time round and was given a small token of appreciation at the prizgiving. Some 29 boats entered the series and completed at least one race – some helms used a variety of boats which did not necessarily help their overall results.

When the overall positions in the series were calculated both Ed and Jonty had 11 points (subsequently resolved via the last race result making Jonty the winner) whilst Alan had 13 and was thus 3^rd overall. Paul Ryan was 4^th, Rupert Smith 5^th, Darren Smith 6^th, Michael Veale 7^th, Dan Ford 8^th, Laurence Venus 9^th, Tom Taylor 10^th, Jack Turner 11^th, Alice Smith 12^th & 13^th (Topper and Laser II), Graham Hardy 14^th and Bill Wates 15^th

Alan.S 1700

PS. The New Year’s day race starts at 2.00pm on Sunday 1^st Jan and the Elford Numbum series commences on Sunday 8^th Jan at 11.00am – we hope to see you there, if only spectating from the bankside.

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 7 - 18th December2011

2011-12-21T10:32:00.001Z

What a change, blue almost cloudless skies this morning on our way to Piddinghoe with just a hint of breeze. On arrival it was still bright and sunny but with a deep frost on the boat cover and a cool breeze from the west, perhaps a force 3.
Fourteen boats entered this race and all were on the water for the start. By then the breeze had dropped to a force 1 to 2 and it stayed thus throughout – the sun stayed out too.
The course was an old familiar, start near the flagpole and a short beat to the corner near the clubhouse followed by a reach along the north side. Thereafter it was a close reach back towards the flag pole and a gybe round the former start mark and off to the east side and another gybe. The final two legs were a reach behind the island and then a long beat up the west side to the clubhouse but inside the start line limit mark.

At the gun there were a couple of boats, Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC) and Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC) close to the bank and off on a port tack flyer whilst the rest of the fleet were coming up the line on starboard. At the pin end Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) tried to get in by the limit mark but was prevented by Michael Veale and Andy Walker (RS 200, NSSC). Alan had just enough speed however to tack away on port and then return on starboard at the mark to turn in third place.

By the time Laurence.V had reached the north east gybe mark Alan was 2nd and Ed Thorburn (Finn, NSSC) third with Darren 4th. Laurence immediately began to draw away on the reach whilst Ed overtook Alan before the end of the leg. At the end of lap one the order was Laurence.V, Ed. T, Alan.S, Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC) and then Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC). The following group were led by Steve and Penelope Duncan (Fireball, NSSC) then Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC), Darren.F and Bill Wates (Laser full rig, NSSC).

In the second lap Steve.D blitzed his way past Rupert.S, Jonty.F and Alan.S. Paul.S using a borrowed bottom mast section (after last week’s breakage) also climbed up past Rupert and Alan to be fourth on the water and Ed.T scraped past Laurence.V to take the lead by ten seconds. By the end of lap 4 the top order was established as Ed.T, Laurence.V, Paul.R, Steve.D, Rupert.S Jonty.F, Alan.S and then Darren.F.
Slightly further back Graham Hardy (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Bill. W were having their own private battle with Chas Humphries (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Michael – who found their boat somewhat sticky in the light wind. Bringing up the tail were Mike Rosier with crew Chris Rosier (Topper Magno, NSSC) ahead of Alice Smith (Topper, NSSC). In the light breeze Alice was suffering from lack of momentum and unable to repeat her performance as last week.
Ed.T was first across the line ahead of Laurence.V, but well behind on handicap although holding an adequate margin on Alan.S who came home in third spot.
This week Dan Ford volunteered to crew the safety boat – hence his apparent absence from the race.

Results (Unofficial, Unconfirmed) :-
1st. Laurence Venus, 2nd. Ed Thorburn, 3rd. Alan Simmons, 4th Paul Ryan, 5th.Darren Field, 6th. Jonty Freeman, 7th. Rupert Smith, 8th. Graham Hardy, 9th. Chas Humphries, 10th. Bill Wates, 11th. Steve Duncan, 12th. Mike Rosier, 13th. Michael Veale, 14th. Alice Smith.

Alan.S 1700
PS. I repeat my message from last week - for those of my readers who missed it - I wish you all the seaons greetings for a Happy Christmas and Prosperous,Eventfull and Interesting New Year in 2012.
PPS. The next - and final - Race of the 2011 Freeman Iceberg will take place on Boxing day , Monday 26th December and hopefully I will be there to take part and/or report.

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 6 - 11th December2011

2011-12-13T18:29:00.001Z

Grey, totally overcast and breezy as we set off to Piddinghoe. As we got closer the sky did seem to be brightening up to the south and whilst above the cloud the sun may well have had his hat on he did not come out to play.

Kay set the same course as last week, except that with a south westerly wind, we went round in the opposite direction. The start was by the clubhouse with just a few yards to the first mark and then a hairy reach down the long southerly side of the pond. At the end there was a gybe and another reach behind the Island thence onto a beat to a mark just off the shore by the flagpole. From there it was another very broad reach back to the north east corner and a final beat back to the start mark.

Some fourteen boats took to the water in a good ‘top end’ force 4 – the gust were, as usual at Piddinghoe, horrendous and close on mid force 6. At the start it was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC) tight on the line with Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC) tucked in behind and Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC) a little to windward. The next group of four were Nathan Bloss (Laser Radial, NSSC), Edward Thorburn (Finn, NSSC), Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) and Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC).

The long reach, with the occasional violent gust, sorted out the order at the gybe into Ed.T as leader then Jonty.F followed by Rupert.S , Alan.S and then Nathan Bloss Paul.R had dropped back a touch as had Michael.V who had problems lowering his spinnaker for the next leg. The next beat, back towards the Pole, allowed these two to pull back through ahead of Alan. At the ‘Pole’ mark it was either a tack or bearing off – depending upon which tack the mark had been approached – but gusts caught out the unwary. Also at the North east mark the gusts were coming fast and furious giving some competitors a dip.

By the end of the first lap Ed.T was in front, ahead of Jonty.F by 10 seconds, then came Rupert.S just ahead of Paul.R. Next up was Michael.V then Alan.S followed by Jack Turner and James Bovington (Laser II, NSSC).

Next up was Alice Smith sailing a Topper(NSSC) ahead of Nathan.B and then Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC). Bringing up the tail were Alex Stonard in a Topper (NSSC), John Smith (Pico, single sail, NSSC) Dan Ford and Becca Gibson (Magno, NSSC) and finally Josh Smith (Topper, small sail, NSSC) - this group had all been well off the start line at the intial gun. Josh.s having capsized fairly early on in lap 1 got rather cold and retired to the bank side.
In lap 2 Jonty.F got ahead of Ed.T on the long reach – and stayed there until overtaken in lap 4. Paul.R also overtook Rupert.S whilst Alan.S, having nearly been forced into the bank by an out of control RS200 on the long reach, just escaped to move into 5^th spot with Jack.T behind him. Michael V having finally regained control dropped back to 7^th.

In lap 4 Alan.S capsized just after leaving the ‘Pole’ mark and had his mast stick in the bottom mud. After the Safety boat had had a couple of attempts to right the boat Alan floated off – or the boat did and was ‘cornered’ by Rupert.S who had himself been upside down for quite a time. When eventually aboard the Safety boat the Streaker was righted but Alan had lost best part of a lap in time. The Pond Rules allow for assistance by the safety boat and then continuation of racing. This lap also saw Nathan.B retire having spent a good time in the water and Jack.T and James.B also retired when one of their trapeze wires broke - shades of Steve Duncan last week.

Lap 5 saw Paul .R, who had been in third position, suffer a broken mast and had to be towed ashore. This time Ed.T and Jonty.F crossed the line at exactly the same time but then Ed went back in front to finally finish some 16 seconds ahead.

Few but the two leaders and Alice Smith – who sailed a blistering race - stayed upright throughout the event. Most of those spoken to afterwards could not recall how many times they upended but mostly sem to have enjoyed their outing.

Results (Unofficial, Unchecked) :-

1^st. Jonty Freeman, 2^nd. Ed Thorburn, 3^rd. Alice Smith, 4^th John Smith, 5^th. Darren Field, 6^th. Rupert Smith, 7^th. Alan Simmons, 8^th Michael Veale, 9^th Alex Stanard, 10^th Dan Ford,

DNF. Paul Ryan, Nathan Bloss, Josh Smith and Jack Turner.

Alan S 1700

PS. To my reader(s?) I wish you a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous/Joyous New Year

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 5 - 4th December2011

2011-12-05T16:09:00.001Z

As last week it was a grey overcast sky, very high cloud but without a break and just a gentle breeze as we left home.

On arrival at Piddinghoe and whilst rigging the boat there was another westerly breeze of about force 2 – Windguru was forcasting force 4 initial building to force 5 later in the day - this faded to almost nothing until just before the racing started.
The course Kay set was practically as last week with an initial very short beat, to the clubhouse corner, along the northern side followed by a close reach back to the start pole end. A broad reach across to the eastern side then down behind the island before a final beat back up the western side.

Sixteen boats were afloat for the start and Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC) made off at the shore end ahead of everybody else – just a little too early – and was called back to start properly. At the pin end it was Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) who was legitimately first away and tacked off to get what he thought was clear air in the light – force 1 - breeze. At the shore end it was Tom Taylor (Megabyte, NSSC) closely followed by Laurence Venus (Streaker, NSSC) who made it to the turning mark first with Alan.S through next and then Ed Thorburn (Finn, NSSC).

Whilst Laurence, Alan and Ed were scrapping along the northern side of the pond Tom broke away and established a goodly lead on the next reach. By the end of the lap Ed was up to second with Laurence still ahead of Alan and beginning to edge away. Behind this group were Paul Ryan (Laser full rig, Hardway SC), Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC) then Darren.F (having re-started) with Rupert Smith (Laser full rig, NSSC) behind him.

By the end of lap 4 Tom. T was still ahead of Ed .T but Jonty.F had climbed up to 3^rd place ahead of Laurence whilst Alan.S was down in 7^th having been overtaken by Jonty, Paul and Rupert, the breeze by then having increased to a good force 4 – planing was possible on some of the reaches. Laurence had a slight collision with Jonty’s stern on one of the reaches when he lost control of his boat and ended up doing a 720 degree penalty.
In lap 6 Tom.T suffered a broken (Carbon) mast – at the site of a previous repair – and had to be towed home, his moments of glory dashed and so Ed.T went into the lead with Jonty.F hard on his heels. This was also the final lap for Dan Ford and crew (the girl) Becca Gibson in their Magno (NSSC) who had embarked on a capsize whilst both were on the wrong side of the boat. Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) had been using their spinnaker on all the reaches and runs in the course and were closing on Alan.S and finally passed him on the final reach of the next lap. Rupert .S had been climbing up the fleet and finally got ahead of Paul.R in lap 6, the most eventfull of the total nine laps sailed.

Alice Smith and Alex Stanard (Laser II, NSSC) also slowly climbed up the fleet from 13^th in lap one to 8^th in lap 8, one spot in front of Darren.F.
Josh Smith (Topper, NSSC) only completed one full lap before retiring whilst his dad John ( Pico, NSSC) spent a long while with his mast stuck in the mud before the safety boat eventually freed him. Steve and Penelope Duncan (Fireball, NSSC) in their first venture out this year – but not racing, Steve said – followed the fleet round, keeping out of everybody’s way (mostly) and also spent a goodly amount of time on their side when Penelope’s trapeze wire snapped during the main windward leg.
Throughout the race the two full rig Lasers of Bill Wates and Graham Hardy (both NSSC ) had a good tussel half way down the fleet, Bill coming out on top at the finish. The lead held by Ed.T and Jonty.F at the finish was still not enough to beat Laurence.V time on application of the handicap correction.

Results (Unofficial, unchecked) :-

1^st.Laurence Venus, 2^nd. Jonty Freeman, 3^rd .Alan Simmons, 4^th .Ed Thorburn, 5^th. Rupert Smith, 6^th .Paul Ryan, 7^th. Darren Field, 8^th.Michael Veale, 9^th.Alice Smith,10^th.Bill Wates, 11^th.Graham Hardy, 12^th.Steve Duncan, 13^th. Dan Ford, 14^th.John Smith, 15^th. Tom Taylor and Josh Smith.

The series table after 4 races now stands as 1^st.Jonty Freeman, 2^nd. Ed Thorburn, 3^rd. Alan Simmons, 4^th.Paul Ryan, 5^th. Michael Veale, 6^th. Darren Field, 7^th. Tom Taylor, 8^th. Laurence Venus, 9^th. Alice Smith, 10^th. Rupert Smith, 11^th Dan Ford, 12^th Graham Hardy, 13^th Bill Wates, John and Josh Smith come in at 18^th and 19^th place as they keep changing boat class.

Alan.S 1700

PS. The sun finally began to break through as we were half way home.

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 4 - 27th November 2011

2011-11-28T12:35:00.002Z

A grey sky, wall to wall, a very strong breeze and rain coming down in sheets. That was just on the journey down to Piddinghoe this Sunday. On arrival Alan.S was in two minds as whether or not to sail in the westerly wind but decided to rig anyway. Huge gusts were coming across the water and the wind was howling in the rigging of boats on the bankside – suggesting at least force 5 to 6.
There was a fair amount of interest with finally eleven boats getting onto the pond, with one boat left on the bank, its helm unsure of the sense of going afloat ( having seen Alan.S in his Streaker, one of the first afloat, capsize and have to await the safety boat to free his mast from the mud) finally deciding against venturing out.
Kay, the RO set a course with an initial short beat up the long (west) side of the pond, turning in front of the clubhouse and followed by a close reach along the northern bank. Turning there led off on a broad reach back to the start mark and after another gybe another reach across to the east bank and thence behind the island on a run to the Southern corner and finally the main beat up the west side.

At the off there was a good bit of shouting as Paul Ryan (Laser, Hardway SC) coming up fast below Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC) forced him up towards the pin mark. A little to leeward Rupert Smith (NSSC) sailing a Laser full Rig this week - instead of the Mirror he has used for the previous races – came off the line with good speed with Darren Field (Byte CII, NSSC) tucked in close behind. Alan Simmons (Streaker, Lancing SC) was close to the pin but just astern of Paul.R and right down to leeward Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS200, NSSC) started off on port tack.
By the end of lap one the order was Paul.R followed by Rupert.S with Jonty.F in third spot. Next up was Michael.V with Alan.S in 5th spot – these two remained in the same relative postion throughout the race with the gap between them opening and closing constantly. Tom Taylor (Megabyte, NSSC) was labouring in sixth on the water having been nowhere near the line at the start – probably not hearing the guns due to the wind and not seeing the visual signals, somewhat hidden in the reeds. In seventh place was Darren.F, then came Jack Turner and James Bovington (Laser II, NSSC) with D.Ford and girl crew in the Magno (NSSC) bringing up the tail.

Nathan Bloss (NSSC) sailing a Laser Radial suffered a broken Kicking strap in the first lap, after an early capsize, leading to a skying boom which eventually came off and he ended up on the east bank until towed home. Josh Smith sailing a Topper with the reduced rig found the breeze still too much for him and also capsized in lap one and then retired to the bank.
A battle royal was happening in the front of the fleet with Rupert.S passing Jonty.F in lap 2, losing the place back in lap 3. By lap 4 Jonty.F had also overtaken Paul.R as has Rupert.S. The top order then stayed Jonty, Rupert and Paul to the finish.

A bit further back down the fleet Jack.T had a capsize in lap 4 and retired whilst Tom.T suffered a dip in lap 5 but recovered and although he passed Alan.S before the finish he was still a lap behind.
Whilst the skies cleared and the sun shone out the breeze dropped slowly throughout the racing until it fizzled out almost entirely once everyone was ashore and packed up.
Once the handicaps had been calculated Alan.S had overtaken Michael.V but made no impression on the three front running Lasers.

Results (Unofficial, Unapproved) :-
1st. Jonty Freeman, 2nd Rupert Smith, 3rd. Paul Ryan, 4th.Alan Simmons, 5th.Michael Veale, 6th. Darren Field, 7th. Tom Taylor, 8th, D.Ford, 9th (Retired), Jack Turner, Josh Smith and Nathan Bloss.
Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings – Freeman Iceberg Race 3 – 20/11/2011

2011-11-21T11:45:00.001Z

With the pond open again for sailing – after the Algae problem – Sunday dawned misty but bright with just a hint of breeze. The journey down to Piddinghoe necessitated the use of dipped headlights and upon arrival at the pond any sailing looked rather unlikely. Vision across the water was limited to little more than 30 metres, the nearest mark or two to the clubhouse. A waft of breeze was felt, well under a force 1, from the northern side of the pond.
After getting the boat off its trailer, down near to the slip way and rigging it, the visibility had only marginally improved and after launching it was little better. Finally the mist lifted enough for the RO, Chris Turner, to set a course, and allow the safety boat to reposition a couple of marks for the fleet to go round the outside of the pond.

Amazingly there was an enormous turnout – for Piddinghoe – with nineteen boats going afloat, only one of which although starting did not complete the course. There was one capsize, Paul Ryan (Laser, Hardway SC) managed to tip it in when launching.

At the start it was the aforementioned Paul Ryan who shot out in front on starboard tack and then managed to tack across in front of the pursuing pack. Next up was the Laser II of Jack Turner and James Bovington (NSSC) followed by Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial, NSSC), Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200, NSSC) and then Darren Field in his Byte CII (NSSC). Ed Thorburn (Finn, NSSC) – Race 1 winner – was behind these and the two Streakers – Alan Simmons, Lancing SC and Laurence Venus, NSSC – where well behind this gaggle.
At the end of the first lap the order was sorted out with Paul.R in top spot, Ed.T next, Jonty.F third and Laurence.V fourth. Lying fifth was Julian Dobson (Laser full rig, NSSC) and Alan.S in sixth spot. By the end of the second lap, in the still light breeze, Ed.T had moved into the lead with Paul.R behind him and Laurence.V up a place to third. Further back in the fleet Darren.F was up from 9th to 7th with Michael.V down to 9th. By the end of lap 4 the order was Ed.T in front with Laurence.V next then Paul.R and Alan.S in fourth, a sequence that was to remain until the finish although Alan did give Paul a few shocks when he almost got ahead on a few occasions. Back down the fleet it was Jack.T in the Laser II who lost out most, apparently getting his centreboard stuck in the mud on three occasions in almost exactly the same place at the end of the short windward leg, close to the clubhouse (and Dad Chris), dropping from 7th at the end of lap 1 to 14th in lap 7. Alice Smith and Alex Stonard (Laser II, NSSC) were slightly better off ending up at 12th in lap 7 from 14th in lap 1 – it really was not breezy enough for this class of dinghy.

The other Lasers, Graham Hardy, Bill Wates, and Chas Humphries (all NSSC members) had their own little race, within a race, with Graham.H leading the field into 9th spot, on the water at the finish, ahead of Chas.H and then Bill.W. Michael.V in the RS 200, although using his spinnaker on several occasions, dropped slowly down th ranks from 8th in lap 1 to12th at the close.

Amongst the tail enders, Rupert Smith (Mirror single handed, NSSC) stayed constant in 15th position for 5 laps he managed to complete, once again not really enough breeze to move him round. Terry Jones (Pico, NSSC) just dropped one place in the race from 16th in laps 1 to 4 to 17th at his finish. Similarly Josh Smith (Topper, NSSC) dropped from 17th in lap 4 to 18th in lap 5, whilst John Smith (Pico, NSSC) went from 18th to 19th in lap 4.The Magno sailed by D Ford (NSSC) started the race in 19th, last, position and clawed up to 16th by the end of lap 5 but then retired.
By the time all the boats were ashore and packed up for the day the mist rolled in over the water once more. With the results calculated it was a clean sweep for the two Streakers with Laurence 1st and Alan 2nd.

Results (unofficial, unchecked):-
1st. Laurence Venus, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd Ed Thorburn, 4th. Paul Ryan, 5th Jonty Freeman, 6th. Julian Dobson, 7th.Darren Field, 8th.Tom Taylor, 9th.Graham Hardy, 10th. Chas Humphries, 11th. Bill Wates, 12th Michael Veale, 13th Alice Smith, 14th Jack Turner, 15th. Rupert Smith, 16th. Terry Jones, 17th. Josh Smith, 18th John Smith,19th D.Ford

Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 2 - 13th November 2011

2011-11-15T17:02:00.003Z

Well another week and no sailing for me - or anyone else as it happens. The NSSC web site reveals all:-

NEWS

Winter Series Race Sunday 13th November - Cancelled

racing is cancelled this week, but should take place from 20th onwards

the temporary oxygenation pumps (see below) whilst in use

create a hazard for sailors and windsurfers

What is Hapening at Piddinghoe Pond ?

An Algae ‘bloom‘ has died with the colder weather and in decomposing

has taken the oxygen levels down to a point where the fish were dying.

The Environmental Agency have responded with pumps to provide

temporary areas of oxygenation until the pond recovers its natural balance

The algae was not toxic and there was and is no danger to people, dogs etc

This action by EA is funded through the UK fishing licences – not through local rates or club funds

It is a naturally occuring phenomena, however we are working closely with

Seaford Angling club who rent the angling rights,

together with the EA specialists to understand if we can,

over time, improve the habitat to reduce the risk of the algae blooms.

So there you are, all is revealed and hopefully we will be able to sail next Sunday.
Alan.S 1700

Streakerramblings -Freeman Iceberg Race 1 - 6th November 2011

2011-11-10T16:37:00.002Z

This account is going to be third hand as I was not present, on or off the water, at the initial race of this winter’s pre-Xmas series so have to rely on the annotated lap sheet provided by Kay Young the RO.
Bett and I had been invited to lunch at Sussex YC by our friend Clare to celebrate the purchase of her Wayfarer Dinghy ‘Daggers’ – splendid Turkey and trimmings.

Back to the racing however, the morning’s Windguru had forecast at least force 5 but the reported white caps on waves would seem to indicate something a bit stronger although it did apparently reduce a little as the race progressed. Six boats came to the line and at the gun it was Rupert Smith (NSSC) single handed in a Mirror who was first away. Tailing him were Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (NSSC) in their RS200.
Within a few yards Ed Thorburn (NSSC) in his Finn had jumped into the lead and was to remain there unchallenged to the finish. By the end of the first lap the order was Ed.T followed by Paul Ryan (Hardway SC) in a full rig Laser with Tom Taylor (NSSC) next in a Megabyte – having by then overtaken Michael.V. In fifth spot were Alice Smith and Alex Stanard (NSSC) in their Laser II (Fun) and a goodly way ahead of dad Rupert.S. who had already managed to capsize at least once.
Lap two saw a bit more rotation when Alice and Alex capsized and Tom.T lowered his sail and was towed home with, it transpired, a broken gooseneck fitting.
In lap 3 Rupert.S managed to lose control and capsized again only also to lose his mainsheet as he righted the boat and being unable to recover that he sailed home under jib alone.
Whilst all on different laps all four remaining boats crossed the line within seconds of one another, in the 39 to 40 minute period, having all been on the planing leg simultaneously.
In lap 7 it was Paul.R’s turn to take a swim allowing Michael.V to get ahead of him, and stay there until the finish however once the handicaps were applied Paul.R pulled the position back. In the same lap Alice.S and Alex.S also took another swim but recovered and continued to the finish in 4^th place.

It was certainly a fast and furious event with plenty of spills, thrills and retirements but unfortunately no pictures to display with these notes.

Results:-
1st. Ed Thorburn, 2nd. Paul Ryan, 3rd. Michael Veale and Mike Rosier, 4th. Alice Smith and Alex Stanard, 5th (Retired) Tom Taylor, 5th (Retired) Rupert Smith.

Alan.S 1700

PS Alan intends to be present next Sunday (remembrance Sunday) 13^th November.

Streaker Ramblings - Alton Water 08/10/2011

2011-10-11T14:05:00.001+01:00

Up at 6.00am and on the road for the 2.1/2 hours drive up to Alton Water for the final Open Meeting of this year. The skies were grey all the way up to just south of Ipswich and then there was just the chance of some blue peeping through – it did not last. The breeze, on arrival, was not as forcast on Windguru – force 4 – it was more like top end force 5 to 6. I was a bit dubious as to whether to go or not but rigged the boat anyway. There was a Topper function/ training day going on with the area in front of the clubhouse covered with the perishers. Fortunately they used the northern, dam, end of the lake.

In the end some 14 Streakers went afloat for the first of two back to back morning races. Starting from a committee boat in mid lake we were off on a windward leg almost to the south end of the lake, followed by a run back northand then a short reachbefor starting the windward leg again leading throught the gate at the committee boat. First away were Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings) and Mike Hanes (Deben YC) hotly pursued by Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad YC), Ian and Mathew Whitfield (Tamworth SC), Nick Lovell (Ouse Ameteur SC) and Alan Robinson (Blakeney SC).
Alan. G and Mike.H were having a great battle, both pulling out well ahead of the pusuing bunch. Mike eventually got in front only to receive no signal as he crossed the finish line having been over at the start. Matthew.W was next home ahead of Veronica.F and then Nick. L Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) despite being fairly well up in the early stages of the race found the going rather too much and dropped back to 9th place behind Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) and Paul Cooper Alton Water SC). Chris Sear (Royal Harwich SC) in his rather elderly boat ( with original Holt allen Round section mast and boom) came in tenth with Steve Long (Alton Water SC) in an even older boat bringing up the rear.

Ian Mansfield (Alton Water SC) suffered a lost or broken mainsheet block meaning that he had to go ashore and miss the first race Whilst Roger Smith (Deben YC) did not start in the first race.
Race two started on a slightly modified course with the windward mark a wee bit north and east of the previous position. Again it was Alan.G taking the lead almost at the start with Nick. M in second spot with Matthew.W again ahead of his dad. Veronica. F was up in the leading pack until the penultimate lap when she lost her rudder just after the jybe onto the reach. It did not come right off but in a jamed position made it almos impossible for her to right the boat, even with eventually the help of the safety boat and she then failed to finish. Mike. H did not have such a good start and could do no better than 4th this time. Alan.S could only manage 8th place behind Ian.M but ahead of Gary.H this time and with a further three behind him.

The third race, after lunch was held in slightly less strong breezes, over the same course as previuosly, the direction had not altered. Yet once more Alan.G led from the front but having won the meeting quit the ‘field’ early leaving Mike.H to go in front with Veronica.F hard on his heels and Nick.L behind her. Yet again Matthew.W led his dad home. Alan.S had a lenghthy battle with Ian.M only to lose out in the last lap but still with four boats behind. Alan.R and Roger.S did not sail in this race.
Whilst Alan Gillard had convincingly won the event there were three helms on equal points vying for second place overall and is was down to the postions in the final race to sort out the order.

Reusults:-
1st. Alan Gillard, 2nd. Mike Hanes, 3rd. Veronica Falat, 4th Nick Lovel, 5th. Matthew Whitfield, 6th.Ian Whitfield, 7th. Alan Robinson, 8th. Ian Mansfield, 9th. Alan Simmons, 10th. Gary Hogan, 11th. Paul Cooper, 12th. Chris Sear, 13th. Steve Long, 14th Roger Smith.
As this was the last race in the Southern Area Paddle Series there were prizes to be awarded to those competitors who had sufficient race to qualify. Top spot went to the class Secretary Veronica Falat with Nick Lovell in second place, Alan Simmons in third and Gary Hogan in fourth.
This is my last Streaker Open Meeting blog for the year but starting on 6th November ( which I will prbably miss) is the Freeman Iceberg at Piddinghoe – a Menagerie Fleet Open Series which runs up to and including Boxing Day, After that a New Years Day race and then the Numbum Series in January and February, all or nearly all of which I hope to report on at this blog site.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings – Broxbourne 04/09/2011

2011-09-06T17:55:00.001+01:00

With still no Towbar – it arrived Friday but Alan.S did not feel competent to fit it – it was a case of down to the club and put the boat up on the roof rack. With help from Steve Lynch that is what we did, including the two part Carbon mast (more of that later), on Saturday evening.
The first few miles of the drive up in the morning were horrendous with all sorts of strange’ creaking’ noise – not heard on the trip back home from the club the previous evening. It was not until we stopped at Clackett’s Lane Services that the cause was discovered to be the straps holding the boat to the roof rack flapping on the car roof. Using another short strap these were lifted clear of the roof and the noise was gone.
Apart from that the journey up was in bright, if not clear blue, skies with but a gentle force 2 breeze. On arrival at Nazeing the wind was similar and coming from the direction of the clubhouse – south westerly. With the help of Chris Seear (Royal Harwich SC) the boat was unloaded and rigged – the mast set up was a bit of a guess not having been used since last year.
The initial course was a bit of knitting, with two beats and a run in the main lake followed by a divertion into the small easterly section – with major areas of no wind in there – then returning to the main lake. It got a bit dizzying with all the tacks and gybes.

After the 17 Lasers started, in the joint meeting, the Streakers got away on a close Starboard direction – no room for Port tack starts on that line. Before the starts Alan.S (Lancing SC) had checked out the right hand side of the beat only to discover that the breeze vanished just short of the windward mark when tacking back across in front of the club. Consequently at the start he headed off left, just behind Steve Garrett (Bough Beech SC) and ahead of the rest of the fleet. In the fitfull and shifty breeze their lead vanished almost immediately with almost everybody else passing them by.
On the next leg, a run back to close to the starting pin, Alan.S pulled a few place back by sailing well left. Soon however Peter Selway (Broxbourne SC) and Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad YC) pulled out in front until in the smaller section of the lake he fell foul of a substantial wind shift allowing Amy Robinson (Blakeney SC) to slip into second spot. Steve.G came home in 4th position, Martin Wayland (Broxbourne SC) was 5th whilst Alan.S dropped to 7th. There was a fair bit of position changing in the lower orders but in this race it was Chris.S who brought up the rear.
After lunch the RO reset the course, omitting the smaller section of the lake but with still plenty of knitting in the main part with a beat, then run, then a further beat, a reach and a another run finishing with another reach. The breeze had increased a trifle – to force 3 – but the skies opened.

Alan.S got another good start but within seconds had lost it all. Ian Mansfield (Alton Water)
got the flier and was first around the top mark ahead of Veronica.F with Steve.G in third place. Half way through the 2nd lap Alan.S managed to capsize at a gybe mark and stayed in 11th place until the final lap when he pulled one place back. Veronica pulled into the lead in lap 2 and stayed out in front of Steve.G and Amy.R both of whom passed Ian.M. In this race Peter.S stayed in 5th place throughout whilst Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) made the most progress from 11th at the end of lap one up to 7th at the finish. It was not Geoff Town’s (Broxbourne SC) day either when, laying ahead of Alan.S, he went round the windward mark on the wrong side, lost the wind and then had to unwind himself.
Going into the final race – back to back with race 2 – Veronica.F had already won the meeting with two gongs, next in line was Amy.R. From the start it was Peter.S however who was in control and Veronica had to make do with 2nd spot. Laying initially in third place Steve.G finally lost out to Amy.R with Ian.M taking 5th. Alan.S having reduced the purchase on his centre main system, to suit the again decreasing breeze, gradually dropped down the fleet from 6th to 7th and finally to 8th in the last lap when he saw the sheet running out of the last block on the final run and letting Gary.H pass him.
Ian Nash (Broxbourne SC) - in the oddly numbered 2030 – had a couple of 9th placings whilst Richard Dean (Broxbourne SC) stayed glued almost permanently at the tail end of the Streaker Fleet.

Results :- 1st Veronica Falat, 2nd. Peter Selway, 3rd. Amy Robinson, 4th Steve Garrett,
5th. Ian Mansfield, 6th Martin Wayland, 7th. Gary Hogan, 8th. Alan Simmons,
9th. Chris Seear, 10th Ian Nash, 11th. Geoff Town, 12th Richard Dean.

Everyone who entered the meeting sailed in all three races and Alan.S’s was the sole capsize. Veronica.F was, apart from overall winner, the 1st Lady helm, Steve.G was awarded a trophy for perseverance and Alan.S was, surprisingly, awarded 1st Master.
A word of thanks goes, not only to the club for a great meeting and an excellent (free) tea, but to Gary.H for helping to get Alan’s boat back onto the roof rack for the journey home.
Alan.S 1700.
PS. The Towbar was finally fitted by 7.15 pm on Monday

Streaker Ramblings - Deben YC July 16th 2011

2011-08-24T13:47:00.002+01:00

As I advised in an earlier Blog I did not go to the Streaker Open Meeting at Deben this year - as far as I was concerned the forcast was for too strong a breeze for my liking. From the verbal reports I had I was right in my choice, certainly two of the entrants did not complete all three races.

The meeting was won by Mike Hanes (Deben YC) from Chris Woodard (Deben YC) with Pierre

Naude (Deben YC) in third spot. According to the usual procedure the 'winner' should have written a report which should have been sent to Yachts and Yachting and together with the full list of results should have been sent to the SCOA web site. It is also usual to pur a version of the report on the host club web site. Regretably none of these actions occured and the SCOA only received the results.

It is a shame as the report can be written (and Posted) in little more than an hour, the class fails to get any publicity as does the club and the other partipants fail to get recognition for their efforts. If I attend I endeavour to get hold of the relevant data - lap sheets (where completed) and overall result sheets - and endeavour to mention all envolved (where the numbers concerned are manageable) and then blog the event. Perhaps my efforts reach a wider audience than the Class web site but perhaps not more than a Y & Y web site entry.

Results :-

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Helm	Club	Sail No	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Points	Net Points	Position
Michael Hanes	Deben YC	1655	1	1	1	3	2	1st
Pierre Naude	Ðeben YC	1620	2	3	3	8	5	3rd
Chris Woodard	Deben YC	1608	3	2	2	7	4	2nd
Amy Robinson	Blakeney SC	1686	4	5	6	15	9	5th
Dave Shuster	Deben YC	1660	5	4	5	14	9	4th
Hugh Ambery	Blakeney	1711	6	6	4	16	10	6th
Robin Parsons	Deben YC	1664	7	DNF	DNS	26	16	8th
Gary Hogan	Haversham SC	1757	8	7	7	22	14	7th
Peter Wyld	Blackwater SC	1564	DNF	DNS	8	2	18	9th

Concerning my blog for the Bosham SC Streaker Open Meeting (July 23rd), after publishing, I was advised that the 'encroaching' keelboats were not Sunbeams but were in fact Swallows. I acknowledge my error in wrongly naming them but re-iterate my comments about their poor behaviour in charging through our start.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Newhaven & Seaford SC - Sailing Week 1st - 5th August 2011

2011-08-09T10:29:00.003+01:00

A newly acquired car without tow bar had left Alan.S in an awkward position but thanks to the very generous help of Jerry Hone his Streaker arrived at Newhaven and Seaford SC on Sunday evening 31^st July on time for the following week’s Racing. The full schedule would be a morning ‘fun’ race followed by two, back to back, serious afternoon race on each of day, Monday to Thursday, and only one serious race planned for the Friday

Monday morning Alan took out one of the two RFDs to help laying the marks and to stand by for rescue duty – this proved unnecessary due to the light conditions and the small number of entrants.
After lunch the racing proper started, with a Committee Boat single start in the bay and some dozen boats on a simple triangular course. Of the two Streakers present it was Alan.S (the sole visiting helm) who pulled out ahead of Laurence Venus and Matt Springall (Laser, full rig). Rupert Smith and Chris Turner in their Fireball, Terry and Greg Jones on their Dart 18 and Jamie Lynch on his Dart 18 were the only boats (from the home club) to finish ahead of this pair on the water after a good hour’s race but it was Alan and Laurence in top spot after the handicaps were worked out.
After a short break a second very short race started in slightly more breeze. With just single lap it was Jamie.L 1st across the line, Rupert.S 2^nd, Terry Jones 3^rd, James Clapham and Jenny Clapham ( Dart 18) 4^th and Darren Field in his Vago 5^th.
Alan.S was again ahead of Laurence at the finish – but this time only just – in 6^th spot but with plenty of time in hand to beat the rest of the fleet. Laurence was pipped for 2^nd place by 2 seconds by Rupert.S. Matt.S did not sail in this race.

Tuesday morning Alan did RIB duty again, very light breezes so no rescues.

In the afternoon Race 3 got away, from another Committee boat start on yet another triangular course. Again it was Rupert Smith in the Fireball who led the way around ahead of Terry Jones, James Clapham then Dave Edwards and Alan Oatway in their Dart 18. Next home in his Streaker was Laurence who had been battling with Matt Springall in his full rig Laser then Darren Field and with Alan.S behind this group. After handicaps were applied it was Laurence 1^st, Rupert 2^nd and Alan 3^rd.
Race 4, sailed over the same course lasted only two laps, saw Laurence finish ahead of Alan yet again with the pair behind Rupert’s Fireball, Dave Edwards, John Morrison and Michael Veale in a Stealth Cat, James and Dave Robertson in a Hobie 16, James and Jenny Clapham and with Darren Field ahead of Alan. After Handicapping Laurence was again in first place with Rupert 2nd and Alan 3^rd.

Wednesday morning started off with the lightest of breezes and the fun race as a Le Mans start – Alan opted for 2 x 360 deg turns at the gun – he even did a second set after the first lap and yet another set at the finish but still could not be beaten.

Race 5, after lunch, was over a traditional Olympic course – Triangle and Sausage - with, as usual the faster Fireball and Cats leaping into the lead. At the end of two full laps first home was Jamie Lynch then Rupert Smith followed by Terry Jones, James Clapham. Next home having managed to fend off Matt.S was Laurence and behind these two Alan.S This time it was the Streakers one, two with Rupert in third spot on handicap.
After another short delay, Race 6 and all were off on the same course once more with Jamie Lynch well ahead then Terry Jones, James Clapham, Rupert, Matt, Laurence and then Alan. The results were calculated with top spot going to Rupert followed by Laurence, then Alan, Jamie and Matt.

The Evening Scheduled race did not look as if it would be run, no boats on the beach but eventually six more came along to join Alan. With a reaching start and an increasing breeze it looked as though it might be a bit congested at the start mark but it appears that the chop which had developed kept the small fleet well separated.

Alan got a cracking start and was immediately off onto the beat, led fortunately by the Rib, as the pillar buoy was all but invisible. The second mark seemed to be on just an extension to the first beat and was well over towards the Harbour. Then followed a short but foisty reach towards the beach ending in a gybe and then a long downwind back to a mark off the club and a final short reach to the mark at the beginning of the next lap. Tom Taylor sailing his Megabyte was a short way behind Alan for the first lap and in fact for the subsequent laps, making up a bit of ground on the offwind legs but making no gain upwind. Third place was taken byGraham Hardy in his Laser followed by Jason Tooth in his Dart sprint and Hanah & Erica Pepe in their Pico. Simon Suter in a Laser failed to finish the course.

Thursday dawned as forecast – well almost – with strong wind and an increasing surf. It did not look promising and both the wind increased (up to 27 knots) and the surf got higher so racing was abandoned for the day with the hope that a second race could be added to Friday’ program.

Friday dawned, almost calm, with plenty of sunshine and Alan was off on the Rib for the last time in the morning. After lunch two races were planned , as had been hoped for, but with shore starts this time. Even though the line was angled well back to the east the wind was very southerly and the second (outer) lane start for the Squibs and Cats gave them a substantial advantage. The course was a trapezium giving a very close reach and then a long downwind, down wave leg finishing off with a close reach along the beach. Some 23 boats entered race 7(8?) – the most all week.

Jamie lynch was soon in the lead followed by Terry Jones, Rupert Smith, David Edwards, John Morrison and then James Robertson. In seventh place his Laser was Matt Springall who had been battling with Laurence Venus and a bit behind this pair was Alan.S. After the handicapping it was Laurence, Rupert and Alan in that order.
So to the final Race (8 or 9?) again with a shore start and over the same course.
The breeze had come up even a touch more so the Cats were off and away Dave Edwards finishing in top spot ahead of James Robertson, Terry Jones, then Rupert Smith in the Fireball. Next home, having had yet more grief with Laurence was Matt.S with the Laser 2 sailed by Jack Turner sneaking in ahead of Alan.S.

And so another, sucessfull, Sailing week concluded. The weather was kind, sunny, warm and mainly light breezes which allowed all levels of competence to imbibe. Thursday was an unfortunate aberration but all was not lost with the inclusion of the extra race on Friday.

The results were split up into several categories, Overall, Fast Fleet, Slow Fleet, Multi Hulls, Cadets and Fun Races. For the full results follow this link to the NSSC site - http://www.nssc.org.uk/results2011.htm. but the short hand version is as below:-

Overall – 1^st Laurence Venus, 2^nd Alan Simmons, 3^rd Rupert Smith and Chris Turner.

Fast Fleet – 1^st Rupert Smith and Chris Turner, Darren Filed and Fin Gartland Jones,
                     3^rd Terry and Greg Jones ,
Slow Fleet – 1^st Laurence Venus, 2^nd Alan Simmons, 3^rd Matt Springall.
Multihulls – 1^st Terry & Greg Jones, 2^nd Jamie Lynch, 3^rd Dave Robertson.
Cadets – 1^st Nathan Bloss (Laser Radial), 2^nd Louis Gorringe & Ross Turner (Laser )
                3^rd Stuart (Topper)
Fun Races – 1st Rupert Smith & Gabriel H (Laser 2), 2nd PennySpringall &  CarolynTurner(Squib), 3rd Louis Gorringe & Ross Turner (Laser 2)

Alan. S 1700

PS To those whose names I did not mention, my apologies, with some 30 boats entering at least one race it is difficult to find enough space.
PPS. Thanks go also to Laurence.V for ferrying my boat back to Lancing Sc on Friday evening.

Streaker Ramblings - Bosham SC -23/07/2011

2011-07-24T17:10:00.002+01:00

Bosham is a ‘local’ club for us so we did not have to leave until 7.45am, with bright blue skies, a light breeze and no hint of rain on our journey down to Chichester Harbour. Having arrived and found no access to the ‘Green’ we drove to the dinghy park and rigged the boat, then drove back down to the quay, dropped it off and took the car to the car park on the other side of the village.

By the time the briefing took place at the club house there were nine Streakers present. The courses being well down the harbour all set off by about 10.30am on a pleasant and uneventfull ½ hour sail, down past Cobnor, then Itchenor and into the Thorney channel. The committee boat moored fairly close to the East Head buoy and the first chosen course was a triangle/sausage affair heading back the way we had come down from Bosham.

The first start, on a fairly short, heavily port biased line was almost chaos as some three Solent Sunbeams – rather large keel boats – decided to charge straight through our line seconds after our gun had ‘fired’. As it happened there were no actual collisions but apart from it being appallingly bad manners on their behalf it rather up-set our start. Thereafter it was Paul Burgoyne (Tamworth SC), who had attempted a port hand start, who went into the lead. Close behind him was his father John (Tamworth SC) and then Dave Cockerill (Emsworth SC). Tucked in behind these three was Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) then Gary Hogan (Haversham SC), John Smith (Bosham SC), Michael Camps (Bosham SC) and bring up the tail end Richard Felstead (Lymington TSC). By the finish Paul.B had pulled out a fair lead over his dad John.B but Dave.C was close behind.
Race two, over a similar type course – adjusted for a swing in the breeze further to the west and this time 2 courses long – went off without hitch this time. Dave.C was first away and although challenged by both the Burgoynes held his lead to the finish.
Alan.S was not far back on the leaders but was overtaken on the fourth beat by Michael.C and was unable to get fourth spot back. Behind Alan it was Gary.H, then John. Richard.F improved by one place on the previous race whilst Hugh.G took over the tail end spot. In second spot in this race it was Paul.B again ahead of John.B.

A break was then taken – afloat – for lunch before the final race. Yet again the course was swung to compensate for the wind directional change – much further west this time and over towards the Emsworth channel and again two long triangles and two long sausages. This time it was John Burgoyne who won the start and chose the correct way to go up the first beat, not far behind was Paul.B and mixing it with him was Alan.S. Richard.F had begun to get the hang of things, perhaps it was down to the slight increase in wind strength but for a while he was ahead of Alan. Behind this pair Dave.C was not – initially – making waves.

In the final windward beat, close to the top mark, Dave.C squeezed past Alan.S into third place. John.B held off a late challenge from Paul to take top spot in this race. Next home was Dave.C then Alan.S then Richard.F followed by Michael.C, Gary.H (who was disqualified for failing to go through the course gate at one point) John.S and finally Hugh.G.
At the end of the racing there was a zippy ½ hour sail back to Bosham – good job somebody knew the way as Alan would have sailed on up towards Dell Quay instead of turning left opposite Itchenor. A long, but very pleasant, day with some 6.1/2 hours on the water.
At the prizegiving it was Paul Burgoyne in first place ahead of dad John – who would have won had it not been that all races counted – with Dave Cockerill in third place.

Results (Unofficial):-

1^st Paul Burgoyne, 2^nd. John Burgoyne, 3^rd. Dave Cockerill, 4^th Alan Simmons, 5^th.Michael Camps, 6^th. Gary Hogan, 7^th. Richard Felstead, 8^th. John Smith, 9^th.Hugh Garety.

PS. Appologies for lack of photos – the sailing was way out of sight of the club and Bett declined to go afloat.

PPS. Whilst I did not in the end attend, I had intended to go to Deben, would have thus been able to get results and make a ‘blog’. However I am still awaiting info from the club – I do not even know who the prize winners were!

Streaker Ramblings - Stewartby WSC 2nd July 2011

2011-07-07T15:43:00.002+01:00

Bright blue sunlit skies and no breeze as we set off at 7.30am on the 115 mile trip up the M23,M25 and M1 to Stewartby just south of Bedford. We arrived at 9.30am, quite good considering all the road works on the route with the usual 50 mph speed limits, luckily the variable speed limits around the M25 were not functioning.

Once rigged and after the shore-side briefing the 8 Streakers, in company with eleven Solos, took to the water. There was a bit of a delay before the Solos got away on their first start whilst the RO waited for what little breezethere was to materialise sufficiently for him to choose a direction in which to send them.

The Streakers started their sequence a minute or so after the Solos had left on the short leg to the first mark near the clubhouse and launching area. The first half of the fleet, Barney Proud (Stewartby WSP), Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad SC), Bill Strange (Stewartby) and Nigel Denchfield (Stewartby) managed to round the widward mark before the breeze died completelty whilst the second half - David New (Paxton Lakes), Alan Simmons (Lancing SC), Ian Parish (Stewartby) and Peter Billington (Stewartby) – all clustered around the mark, Alan.S being rammed (gently) and then hitting the mark and requiring to re-round it. By the end of the first lap Barney.P led Bill.S and Veronica.F with Alan.S in 7^th position. In the second lap Veronica got ahead of Barney and Bill and Alan moved up one place. By the end of the third (and last) lap the lead had changed yet again with Barney in front of Veronica and then Nigel.D. Bill.S had lost out one place and Alan.S had pulled up another to fifth. Even at the back it was all change with David.N going from 5^th to 7^th then back to 6^th however Peter.B stayed firmly in last spot at the end of each lap.

After Lunch, with a similar course and just a tiny bit more breeze, the Streakers set off again. It was Barney who once again took the lead (and managed to hold it to the finish), whilst Ian.P was close behind him, then Veronica and Nigel in fourth. Alan.S who had yet to get a reasonable start had pulled through to 5^th by the end of the first lap with Peter .B just behind him. By the end of the second lap Veronica had passed Ian and Alan was ahead of Nigel. By the beginning of the third and last running leg Alan got into 3^rd spot only to lose out to Ian again by the end of the leg. So the finish order was Barney.P 1^st , Veronica.F 2^nd, Ian.P 3^rd and Alan.S 4^th.

Just prior to the final race the wind died almost completely but the RO persisted with a change of course – a little longer than before – and obligingly the wind began to fill in. Alan still failed to get a good start but Barney, Bill and Veronica did and that was the order for those three with Alan second to last in 6^th. In lap 2 Veronica got in front of Barney and Alan had sneaked through to be in 3^rd place. In the final lap Veronica still held off Barney’s challenge and Alan could catch neither but held on in third. Peter.B had not sailed the last race but there was still a tussle between Bill, Ian, Nigel and David which was resolved in that order.

So three races planned and in spite of the lack of breeze three races completed. The low strength and shifts made for difficult sailing necessitating constant concentration with a good deal of luck to be in the right spot at the right time thrown in. Alan was delighted to find himself in 3^rd spot overall having had a 5^th, a 4^th and then finally a 3^rd place in the racing. A good day’s sport with very tricky conditions facing the RO with which he coped admirably.

Results :-

1^st Barney Proud, 2^nd Veronica Falat, 3^rd Alan Simmons, 4^th Ian Parish, 5^th Nigel Denchfield, 6^th Bill Strange, 7^th David New, 8^th Peter Billington - fourth ,fifth and sixth positions were all on equal points with identical discards and required intricate settlement on count back.

Alan.S 1700
PS. For the official (SCOA) race report follow the link http://www.streaker-class.org.uk

Streaker Ramblings- Pennine SC, National Championships. 25/26th June 2011

2011-06-27T21:39:00.002+01:00

We left home at 10.30am on Friday morning 24^th June for the 258 mile trip up to Pennine SC – Winscar Reservoir, Dunsford Bridge, near Barnsley for the National Championships - sponsored again this year by Noble Marine. It was dry but largely overcast although the odd occasional glimpse of blue sky did occur on the somewhat lengthy drive and after a couple of comfort/coffee stops we arrived at 4.15pm. It was still dry after we had erected the tent close to the clubhouse and after a few beers we attended the Class AGM with about thirty other members. Nothing too contentious but we have now got a Class Secretary – Veronica Falat from Waveny and Oulton Broad SC. The local youngsters were by then out sailing in virtually no wind – my, how things would change. Throughout the night it poured with rain and leaked in on one camper so much that he had to pack up and go home without even going on the water.
For day one of the Nationals, just before a Bacon Butty breakfast, it was grey, raining solidly, blowing half a gale and chilly with it – not conducive to the writer’s preferred sailing conditions. Some 48 boats, below recent averages, had entered although not all went afloat for the first race which consisted of a basic triangle. There was a beat up to the western end of the water followed by a reach back towards the east and then a turn north thence back southwards to the start line. Both the Reach and the northerly, near Run, were very hairy with large gusts on top of the force 5 main breeze.

The line was very biased and the fleet lined up almost parallel on Starboard tack with most boats just making it across the line after the gun. Steve Cockerill (Hill Head SC) soon established a lead pursued by Ian Jones (Dovestones SC) with Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC) in third ans Ian Lees (Scammonden)in fourth slot. In the strong winds Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) could not get any speed out of his boat going to windward and finished the race in 28^th position.
Race two, after lunch, was held in similar conditions, but over a slightly adjusted course, of solid rain and a good force 5. This time, and after one general recall, Tom Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC), the defending Champion, was on the water having just returned from the Fireball Worlds at Sligo in Ireland. He had had a good series there, just missing out on top spot due to a count back. In the Streaker fleet race however he could not catch Steve.C and had to accept second place ahead of Ian.J in 3^rd with Alan.G in 4th. Alan.S struggled round and, in spite of needing to do turns when in the wrong in a port and starboard situation, made up one place to 27^th
Race three, after another short spell ashore and on another variation of course, seemed likely to be more of the same – strong wind and rain – and again the top three were Tom.G, in first place this time, ahead of Steve.C and Ian Jones with Alan.G yet again in 4^th spot. In lap two the breeze died quite a bit on the upwind leg allowing Alan.S to make up quite a few places – it did not last however and as the wind rose he dropped back to 30^th at the finish.

In the evening there was a great meal provided by the girls and guys in the galley followed by a Skiffle group – the ‘Yorkshire Tea Bags’ – with a little help from one of the Streaker sailors and his guitar and of course plenty of beer. After the day’s exertions it was a relatively early night for Alan.S and Bett.S. It blew and rained all night although we did get a bit of sleep.
Sunday dawned sunny but with the wind still blowing hard, so much so that there were white horses on the water. Alan.S was not keen to even bother going afloat, after yet another Bacon Buttie breakfast. With about an hour to go to the start of the first race of the day Alan Gillard offered the use of the reduced area SCOA owned ‘Wave’ sail and Alan.S reluctantly decided to try it out. Once changed and with the boat almost ready to go he decided to use his full rig after all.
Race four started on time on yet another configuration of course but by the time the leader had finished his first lap the RO abandoned the race. At the top of the initial beat there was a rescue boat moored almost on the mark. Alan S when he reached it was forced to go outside the moored boat taking John Hollis (Pennine SC) with him due to the mass of boats on the inside close to the mark. At the restart it was the usual group who got out up front although Steve.C had taken Tom. G out of the running in the prestart manoeuvring. By the finish Tom.G was up to 2^nd again behind Steve.C but ahead of Ian.J. and with his dad Alan.G in 4^th . Alan.S found the easing wind more to his liking, and whether or not it was due to fewer starters, he had his best result thus far at 26^th.

Race five, the final of the champs, set off after lunch, on yet another course with an initial beat up to a mark in the south west corner of the reservoir. The wind had increased a bit yet again and whilst the usual group of four were out in front Alan.S thought he was reasonably well up the order. On approaching the windward mark there were several wind shifts of differing ferocity and direction and Alan.S ended up in the water. He righted the boat by holding onto the centreboard as it flew over him and finally got back on board. By this time however he was truely last with even a ‘Wave’ sail ahead. With a bit of luck he managed to claw back a few places and ended up in 25^th, his best result of the weekend.

At the top of the fleet it was yet another win for Steve.C with Tom.G 2^nd and Ian.J 3^rd. Alan.G did not finish this race, fourth place going to Matt Jenkins (Sheffield Vikings)

So that was the champs over, the overall winner was Steve.C with Tom.G as runner with Ian.J third and Alan.G in 4^th positon.

At the other end of the scale Alan.S could do no better than 31^st overall – given kinder lighter winds it might have been a place or two higher. He found the sailing very hard going on the Saturday and only slightly less so on Sunday, must be age showing but overall had an enjoyable weekend with the chance to catch up with quite a few friends and acquaintances.

The prize giving was performed out of doors, in the sunshine, and as usual was quite extensive with the overall Trophy, one for the winner of each race, for the first lady, for the under 18s, the over 45, the over 55s, the over 65s, the over 75s, for the club team, for the highest place home club helm and for most attractive boat. Finally there was a free raffle draw for a Boat Cover and a Sailing Bag plus the Usual Mug commemorating the event and a bottle of Sparkling Cider for all entrants.
After that and having already packed up the boat it was off home at 4.45pm finally arriving back in Hove just before 10.00pm.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Ouse A S C - 18th June 2011

2011-06-23T17:12:00.002+01:00

6.05 am start on the 3 hour plus drive to the club at Saddle Bow just south of Kings Lynn. Grey overcast skies with a force 4‘ish breeze with just the hint of blue skies occasionally on the way up. This was a combined Streaker and Supernova Open meeting with some nine and ten boats in their respective fleets.
The breeze at the site was a good force 4 touching 5 and more of a westerly than anything blowing across the ‘cut’ (30 yards wide x ½ mile long) leading the RO to set a course down the full length with a couple of diversions across the water, one on the way down and the other on the return leg.
For race one the first fleet away should have been the Supernovas, however they cocked it up with a mass premature start and had to do a new one (two as it happened) after the Streakers were on their way.
The entire Streaker fleet was on the line together and it was Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) and then Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings) who first got just out in front from Veronica Falat (W & OB SC) and Alan Simmons (Lancing SC). Alan.G and Ian.B had a very close tussle for the first full lap before Alan.G finally pulled through into the lead. Nick Lovell (Ouse A S C) and Graham Nelson (Ouse ASC) both passed Alan.S leaving Gary Hogan (Haversham SC), Roger Wallis (South Yorkshire SC) and David New (Paxton Lakes) in the end positions, Roger.W and David.N battling it out throughout the four laps.

Alan.G crossed the line in first place - without a sound signal - and on coming ashore discovered he had been OCS. Somewhat annoyed that he had not been informed earlier he took no further part in the event. This left Ian.B to take the honours ahead of Veronica.F and Nick.L
Race two, after a lunch break, was run over a slightly adjusted course – the wind having made a minor shift in direction but still at the top end of a force four. Ian Bradley was first to start and pulled out fair lead from Veronica Falat With Nick Lovell in third spot. In fourth position Graham Nelson stayed ahead of Gary Hogan whilst Alan Simmons finally got past David New in lap three and Roger Wallis brought up the rear.

After a short break race three got under way with a further small tweak to the course. Ian Bradley shot over the start line with Veronica.F and then Nick.L both in close contention. At the back both Alan.S and Graham.N got stuck in irons in some very strong (force six?) gusts. These gusts continued down the course to the second gybe and first Ian.B then just about every one bar Veronica.F went for a swim. Alan.S lost his daggerboard and was unable to right his dinghy – until helped into the reeds by the rescue boat. Gary.H also had several capsizes and gave it best as did David New and Roger Wallis.
Nick Lovell, having recovered from his dip, went on to pass Veronica.F and win the race. Ian.B also got sailing again but could not improve on third place whilst Graham.N took fourth and, as it happens, last place.
Ian B was overall winner of the meeting with Nick L in second spot on equal points with Veronica.F. Nick, having won the final race, clinched the higher standing.

Results:-

1 ^st. Ian Bradley, 2^nd. Nick Lovell, 3^rd.Veronica Falat, 4^th Graham Nelson, 5^th. GaryHogan, 6^th. Alan Simmons, 7^th.David New, 8^th. Roger Wallis, 9^th. Alan Gillard.

Streaker Ramblings - Weston SC Streaker Open 22nd May 2011

2011-05-22T18:58:00.002+01:00

In the middle of the night there were several almighty gusts of wind- nearly strong enough to knock us out of bed in our'Penthouse' suite. The morning looked a bit kinder with a fiar bit of blue sky but as we set off for the Solent I was rather doubtfull that I would go afloat today. The tops of the trees were bending almost to the ground. On arrival at the club we spotted at least one other Streaker, hitched to a rather large wagon that I did not recognise. A qiuck dash to the clubhouse - for a bit of light relief - found quite a few bodies there already.
Saturday had been the first of what was to be a two day event for Lasers, Supernovas, Lightnings and Europes - as we were to learn later they all managed three races in a nice top end force 3.
So there was yours truely, Gary Hogan from Haversham SC and Helen Audsley from Hill Head SC and like the rest assembled no one was that keen to sail. The reports were for gust up to 30 knots and the steadier breeze of 17/18 knots. Using my hand held device I registerd up to 15 knots at the sea end of the slipway adjacent to the clubhouse. Shortly after 12 noon the race officer, have taken a straw poll, decided that there would be no sailing and that other than waiting for the Saturday's racing prizes, we could all go home.
There were quite a few yachts going up and down Southampton water

- including this tall ship - quite a large proportion under foresail only. On reaching Lancing SC - to repark the boat - we learned that there had been no sailing either in the Laser Open planned for the day.
Hopefully we shall have more suitable weather for the next meet on the Calandar at Ouse ASC.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Bough Beech SC 26.03.2011

2011-04-13T19:10:00.001+01:00

Sorry that this is a bit late coming but apart from failing to bring home the results on the day we have been off on the Trent & Mersey canal for a week’s break – even got suntanned!

There was a grey overcast sky and no breeze as we set off from Hove, on 26th March, to take the ‘country’ route up to Bough Beech for the opening Streaker Southern Area Paddle event. On arrival, for this meeting held in conjunction with a Laser event, we found seven other Streakers present – Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) finally arrived, just in the nick of time. There was just the hint of a breeze blowing from the launching area straight across the lake – east to west – with the committee boat moored on the far side. A slightly strange course was laid with an initial beat followed by a short run back towards the start - but short of it – then a further beat and two reaches.

Most of the nine strong Streaker fleet started towards the port end of the line but Alan Simmons(Lancing SC) was at the committee boat end and tacked off on the starboard side of the beat to arrive at the top mark just ahead of Frank Catt (Downs SC). Unfortunately he then headed for the wrong mark at the end of the run - the real one was partly obscured by Lasers on their way back up to the top mark - and ended up losing three places from which he never recovered. Ian Bradley ended up chasing Frank Catt and Veronica.Falat (W&OB YC) who had all slipped through Alan.S. Ian.B eventually caught and passingFrank C and Veronica.F to take first place across the line at the conclusion of two laps – this after recovering from a capsize and inversion when he got caught up in his mainsheet.

Race 2, back to back, started with Ian.B taking an early lead and pulling away from Veronica.F who was having her own tusssle with Alan.S. Frank.C meanwhile had an early case of 720 degree turns and then got caught out by the wind shifts finishing in 5th place behind Steve Garrett (BBSC). It was ian who took top spot once more.
Race 3, after a break for lunch and in little better breeze, was delayed whilst the somewhat over anxious Lasers had a general recall and they had to re-start before the Streaker fleet. Ian.B soon took the lead followed by Frank.C just ahead of Veronica.F. Matthew Whitield (Tamworth) slipped in to 4th spot with Alan.S left in 5th in the very slightly stronger breeze.

These three races constituted the Paddle races but there was to be a fourth race back to back with the third and yet again it was Ian.B who soon took and held the lead to the finish. Second and third places were hot contested between Frank.C and Veronica.F who finished in that order whilst Ian Whitfield (Tamworth) took 4th place ahead of son Matthew and Steve.G leaving Alan.S to plod home in 7th.
It had been a pleasant if somewhat trying day with very shifty conditions which left the two remaining competitiors, Jeremey Daniel(BBSC) and Gary Hogan (HavershamSC), somewhat adrift at the back of the fleet although Jeremy.D did get a 5th place in the first race of the day.

Results:-
1st. Ian Bradley, 2nd, Frank Catt, 3rd Veronica Falat, 4th Alan Simmons, 5th Matthew Whitfield, 6th Steve Garrett, 7th Ian Whitfield, 8th Jeremy Daniel, 9th Gary Hogan.

My next report/blog should have been for Tamworth on 9th of April but we did not attend, being not too far away but on the canal near Burton on Trent. You should find a report on the Streaker web site or on the Yachts and Yachting site (http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=156554)
Alan.S 1700
PS. Rooster Sailing are sponsoring the Southern Area Paddle series and a new sail is to be won in the free lottery for which a ticket is given to each competitor in each race sailed – the more races sailed the greater the chance of winning.
The next event on the Southern Calendar is Weston SC (Southampton Water) on Sunday 22nd May – watch this space.

Elford Numbum Race 9 -27-02-2011

2011-02-28T20:26:00.002Z

Bluish Skies with 80% high grey clouds, not very warm in a Norterly breeze as we headed off to Piddinghoe for the final race of this year’s Numbum series.
Kay set the course, in a breeze of force 2 to 3, with the first leg along the northern side of the pond (more like a close fetch) to a turning buoy in the north east corner – by the bay – followed by a run to the south of the Island. Turning the mark there it was a beat back towards the north east and turning that mark it was off, east of the Island to the south east corner. From there to the finish it was a beat – one legged for the most close winded boats.
With the start in the shadow of the club room it was a bit ragged at the gun, only Roger McAll (Laser full rig- NSSC) was actually going in the correct direction and carrying enough momentum. Next off was Darren Field (Laser Radial – NSSC) and then , a little to windward, Michael Veale and Mike Rosier in their RS200 (NSSC). Bill Wates (NSSC), sailing a full rig Laser for a change was next ahead of Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) and bringing up the rear was Chas Humphries (NSSC) sailing his Laser also with a changed rig – the Radial one this time.

Paul.R had a lot of catching up to do and it was not until lap 4 that he finally caught and passed the leader Roger.Mc. In the meanwhile Darren.F was having a battle royal with Michael.V in the RS 200 – using his spinnaker on the two downwind legs – first one then the other ahead until lap 5 when Darren began to pull away.
The pair at the rear were also having a bit of a ding dong with Bill ahead of Chas initially, being passed in lap 3 and then losing out again on the following lap.
Having passed Roger, Paul began to pull away at the front of the fleet but in the final lap his mainsheet block decided it had had enough and pulled out of it’s swivel fitting on the deck. This slowed Paul down quite a bit but he just managed to hold Roger off at the finish. Next home was Darren with Michael a little way behind, then Chas and finally Bill. No capsizes in this race although there were a couple of near misses but not from Bill this time, so that Alan.S in the safety boat had little to do.

Result (Preliminary/Unofficial) :-

1st. Paul Ryan, 2nd. Roger McAll, 3rd. Darren Field, 4th. Michael Veale, 5th.
Chas Humphries, 6th. Bill Wates,

At the prize giving which followed the racing it was Alan Simmons (Steaker – Lancing SC) who took the overall 1st Prize – the Elford Numbum Trophy - ahead of Paul Ryan in 2nd and third place went to Michael Veale who just pipped Bill Wates.

Bill, who ended out of main the prize list was a very worthy competitor (and Novice), having entered all nine races, only missing out a position in one when he failed to cross the finish line in error. Was awarded the RO’s special Trophy for his valliant efforts.

Our gratefull thanks were expressed to Kay our indefatigable (and long suffering) Race Officer (and Time Keeper) for her sterling efforts every week – since the beginning of last November - and she was presented with a floral tribute and a bottle of wine.
So that is the end of racing at Piddinghoe until next November. This series, unlike the pre Christmas Freeman Iceberg, had been Ice free, no races lost to foul wind or weather although some what stiffer breezes in the majority of races.

Alan.S 1700

PS. Those of you who have been kind enough to read my incessant spiels may be pleased to know that you are in for a short break – until the Streaker Southern Area Opens start with a meeting at Bough Beech in late March.
This blogsite was started initially, to cover my exploits/visits to away ‘games’ on the Streaker circuit to keep his fellow members at Lancing SC aware that there was life beyond the club boundaries.It seemed appropriate, however, to incorporate the summer and winter events at NSSC that he visited each year.

Elford Numbum Race 8 - 20.02.2011

2011-02-20T19:18:00.001Z

Totally grey and fully overcast as we left Hove this morning. The Seaford Windguru was forecasting an easterly force 3 to 4 and for once this proved to be the case on arrival at Piddinghoe. It was cold but it stayed dry through the racing.
The course, starting at the twin buoys off the clubhouse consisted of an initial beat to the north east corner thence off on a run to the southern side of the Island. Following this there was a second beat, leaving the Island to starboard, to a mark towards the north east corner and then a second run to the south east corner of the pond to a a yellow mark. The final leg was a long fetch/reach up the southern side of the pond to the start mark.

Six boats went afloat and at the start it was Michael Veale (NSSC) sailing single handed in his RS 200 at the shore end with Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) to weather and Roger McAll (Laser full rig – NSSC) at the pin end - all in a line. Just behind were Laurence Venus (Streaker –NSSC), Darren Field (Laser Radial - NSSC) and Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC).
By the end of lap one Roger.Mc had taken the lead with Alan.S behind and Laurence.V very close behind with Darren.F in fourth spot.
By the end of the second lap Laurence had passed Alan and was in hot pursuit of Roger and after three laps caught and passed him on the second run. He also caught a bit of breeze and began to pull out a goodly lead leaving him unchallenged to the finish.
Meanwhile Alan kept catching up with Roger on the offwind legs only to lose out again upwind, where the Laser pointed so much higher, with Alan getting ahead in lap 4 only to drop back in lap 5, but finally climbing back in front for the critical laps 7 and 8.

Just behind, by mid race, Darren.F was being challenged by Michael.V but again the gap between them kept varying. Michael was using his Spinnaker but things did not always go quite right and he nearly had a spill in the final lap allowing Darren to pull well out ahead of him.
Bill W was plugging away in the background – no capsizes this week – and is gradually getting the hang of things, the lighter breezes of the day being much to his liking.
At the close of the race it was Laurence.V some 3.1/2 minutes out in front followed by Alan.S with Roger.Mc ½ minute behind him.
Results:- 1st Laurence Venus, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd. Darren Field, 4th. Roger McAll,
5th. Michael Veale, 6th Bill Wates.
A very enjoyable race, not too much effort needed to keep the boats going – not exactly survival conditions – and time to concentrate on tactics a little. The breeze did begin to drop off a little as the race progressed so that the odd spurt no longer became possible.
Next Sunday – 27th February – is the final race of the series. – and Prizegiving.
Yours truly will be in the Safety boat.
Alan.S 1700.

Elford Numbum Race 7 - 13.02.2011

2011-02-13T21:21:00.001Z

100% overcast, grey and with a sharp Southerly breeze blowing as we left home for Piddinghoe this morning. On the final approach there was a brightness in the sky to the south but it came to nothing and then we had rain during the racing. The breeze was forecast – Winguru – as force 5 but apart from in the gusts it was a, more manageable, top end 4.

The course was a short beat to the twin buoys off the club house in the north west corner (Entry Gate area) of the pond followed by a long fetch (should have been a reach but the wind changed after it had been laid) with a gybe round a mark south of the Island. Thence it was off on a dead run northwards, leaving the Island to starboard, to a mark well up the east side. Rounding that began a beat back, leaving the Island to port this time, to a mark in the far south corner of the pond. After another gybe round that it was back to the far north east corner and then a single sided beat back to the double buoy finish.

Five boats went afloat and at the start it was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) first away. At the double buoy Paul Ryan (Hardway SC) in his full rig Laser made a timely (just) tack onto starboard as Alan, also on starboard by then, had left just too much room. Just behind this pair Michael Veale with crew Mike Rosier (NSSC) in their RS 200 were up to windward but ahead of Roger McAll (NSSC) in his full rig Laser with Bill Wates (NSSC) in his Laser Radial bringing up the rear.
Paul.R led down the first fetch, in some very telling gusts, just ahead of Alan.S – who was in control of his boat some of the time – with Mike.V by then close behind. All three boats were initially on Port tack necessitating a gybe to round the next mark.

As this was being approached Paul.R gybed and snapped his tiller extension, leaving only 8” or 9” to handle his boat with. He headed for the south shore to try to find a replacement. Meanwhile Michael.V was also in trouble and gybed more than once before rounding the mark to start up the beat. Alan.S had no problems at this point and went into the lead. The gusty breeze also played havoc with both Roger.Mc and Bill.W who were both laid flat near the mark on this downwind leg.
Paul R found a replacement tiller with extension and re entered the race, having been effectively lapped by the rest of the fleet.
It was on the same leg and at the same mark that the next ‘incident’ occurred when Alan.S, in lap 2, having gybed onto Starboard to round the mark was almost attacked by Michael. V charging in on port tack. These two boats rounded the mark in very close proximity with Alan, obviously a bit miffed at the intrusion, calling for Michael to do turns - he not having right of way.
The boats separated, Alan holding on on Starboard, before tacking to pass the Island on its starboard side. Michael also tacked, a bit higher to windward but a bit further back, and fell in, leaving Alan to pull away and allowing Roger.Mc to also pass the RS 200.
This windward leg appears to have been Alan’s nemesis too as Roger.Mc , being able to sail a bit closer to the wind, passed him in lap 5 to take pole position, albeit 25 seconds ahead . Roger continued to pull away and was first to cross the line after 8 laps, some 1.1/2 minutes ahead. Alan also had a fright when a big gust nearly had him swimming on the penultimate fetch.

Alan was next home followed by Paul.R – Kay (RO) having taken mercy upon him and finished him at the end of his 7th lap – and then Michael.V. Last to finish was Bill.W but he reckoned that he could count his capsizes on one hand, rather than two last week.

Results (Unofficial/preliminary) :-

1st. Alan Simmons, 2nd. Roger McAll, 3rd. Micheal Veale and Mike Rosier, 4th. Bill Wates, 5th. Paul Ryan.

An enjoyable, if blustery race, a bit short on support entry wise but as usual excellently run by Kay and with Ian Lambert doing a great job single handedly on the safety boat.

With two more races to go in the series Alan.S is in the lead by 7.6 points from Paul.R with Bill.W in 3rd place ahead of Michael.V

Alan.S 1700

Elford Numbum Race 6 - 06.02.2011

2011-02-06T18:10:00.002Z

At 9.00 am, normal leaving time for the trip to Piddinghoe, it was completely grey overcast and a stiff breeze was blowing from the South West. The ‘Windguru’ forecast for the day was 19 knots (a good top end force 5) and it was raining lightly, not an auspicious start. On arrival at the pond the safety boat crew were there and one other ‘potential’ sailor, Bill Wates. Alan Simmons fetched out his anenometer which read up to12 knots by the flagpole but one could see the gusts across the water and it was not inviting and he was not convinced that sailing, for him, was a good idea.. A hot coffee was called for and then Rupert Smith arrived – ‘but I haven’t got a boat’ were his first words. Just before 10.30 Paul Ryan arrived and it did appear that the wind had eased so there was a rush for the four of them to rig and sail.

The course Kay set was another figure of eight, similar to last Sunday, starting with a short beat (3 metres?) and then a run across the pond to the eastern side – dead downwind – to a mark just off the shore but north of the Island. The next leg was a beat to a mark in the southeast corner of the pond, followed by a very brisk reach towards the north east. The lap concluded with another beat along the northern side to the finish just off the clubhouse.

The start sequence commenced with Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC) capsizing between the five and one minute sound signals. He recovered in time for the off but nobody else was really ready for it anyway. The first boat actually away was Rupert Smith (NSSC) sailing single handed in his Mirror but within seconds Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) had passed him and was off on the run. Just behind them was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) and bringing up the rear was Bill.W.The breeze, at first reasonable, soon began to build again and the gusts came fast and furious from ever changing directions. This made both the upwind and downwind legs quite twitchy.

Paul R began to pull away from Alan.S who was struggling to keep control of his boat most of the time but somehow succeeded in staying upright until the last beat of his 6th lap. He never saw the gust that tipped him in and whilst attempting to recover went over again. By that time Paul.R, who had been sailing each lap in about 7 minutes, lapped him but on his own final lap he too suffered a knock down from which he quickly recovered, although he had more than enough time to beat Alan, the only other finisher.

Rupert .S who had been in 3rd spot on the water suffered a broken Kicker during his fifth lap and rapidly retired ashore – too dodgy to go downwind without that. Bill .W who had suffered his first invertion before the real start continued to practice this acytivity, was seen in the reeds at least once, could not remember if it was 8 or 10 capsizes in total and then missed out the finish mark – so he learnt after coming ashore - but still bore a grin from ear to ear.

Results (Unofficial/Preliminary) :-

1st. Paul Ryan, 2nd. Alan Simmons. Both Rupert Smith and Bill Wates did not finish.

The consensus was that this had been a very hard race and that it was time to go home for a recovery snooze.

Alan.S 1700.

Elford Numbum Race 5 - 30/01/2011

2011-01-31T10:29:00.001Z

By 9.00am the sky was blue from edge to edge, a few tiny clouds on the horizon, with the sun ‘blazing’ down. A fresh north easterly was eddying around the house and the windscreen required de-icing and upon starting out it was barely 2°C.
At the pond the boat cover was frosted over and there was a lot more breeze on the pond side than in the car park. A wind check showed about 10 knots from the eastern side of the water. Shortly afterwards white horses appeared on the water and the wind was whistling through the rigging (force 6?).

Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) prepared his Streaker but looking at the ‘waves’ and, on his 73rd birthday, he was keeping his options open as to whether to launch or not.

Kay (RO) soon arrived to set the course with the help of Rupert Smith who was on safety boat duty with daughter Alice. An extra buoy was laid just off the Clubhouse to get a good windward start and it was then off to a yellow mark midway along the eastern bank. From there it was a run/reach to the southern corner east of the Island.
A gybe followed with a close reach back across the pond to a pink mark in the north east corner, finish off with a reachy run to the twin buoy finish line. It was effectively a figure of eight out to the corners of the pond.

Eventually six boats came to the start, Including Alan who reckoned he could start and then almost immediately retire to the comfort of the clubhouse since it blowing a good force 4 to 5.

The actual start was rather confused when most of the boats attempted to use the twin buoys as the ODM resulting in a general recall. The real start was not a lot tidier but it was Matt Springhall (Laser full rig – NSSC) to get away first with Alan.S and Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) not too far behind.
The first lap was fairly uneventfull and it did seem that the breeze had eased a little – well Alan reckoned he could cope – provided he did not capsize and decided to continue racing. Tim Cox (Laser Radial – NSSC) was hot on his heels and beginning to close up. Behind these four Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 2000 – NSSC) were finding out the problems of a wide, slippery, hull in the gusty wind and were shortly to take a dip when Michael lost his grip on the tiller. Bill Wates (Laser Radial _ NSSC) had tipped in once before the start – well it was windier then anyway.

In lap two Paul.R – having sorted out his Mainsheet and Outhaul intertwining - took a spectacular spill on the final offwind leg .This activity allowed Matt.S to pull away a little only to be overhauled by the end of the following lap.
Alan.S closed up on Paul, after his dip, but was slightly to leeward on the first beat of the next lap allowing Tim.S to get ahead of Alan. However these two continued to battle it out to the finish, being rarely more than 15 seconds apart.
Likewise Matt.S having been passed by Paul.R in lap 3 continued to harry him - they were rarely more than 8 seconds apart - until he too had a trip- up on the reach from the south east corner in lap 6, but with a speedy recovery, he soon made up the difference and was only 2 seconds adrift at the finish.
Neither of these two were sufficiently ahead of Alan.S to beat him on handicap – a pleasing ‘present’ for the birthday boy!
Although the breeze began to ease in the later stages, and the temperature reached 6°C in the end, the wind chill was extreme and frozen fingers all too present. The safety boat crew are to be praised for their efforts in the chill conditions.
Results (Unofficial/Preliminary) :-
1st. Alan Simmons, 2nd. Paul Ryan, 3rd. Matt Springhall, 4th Tim Cox, 5th Michael Veale,
6th. Bill Wates.

Alan.S 1700

Elford Num Bum Race 4 - 23/01/2010

2011-01-23T18:52:00.002Z

Half the sky was blue and sunny and the other half grey and grim with a sharp northerly breeze, 5°C, as we left home. By the time we passed Old Boat Corner the skies were almost all grey and then, on arrival at Piddinghoe, the sun came out to play again. The breeze measured just under 10 knots on the pond bank before the boats were rigged but 10 signed on – although one changed his mind and did not participate.
With the usual RO, Kay, off sick (Flu presumably) it was Rupert Smith who set up the course, complete with ‘committeee’ boat start – to ensure a fair beat to the north east corner mark. From here there was a short broad reach to a point just off the island and then a further beat to the north east. On turning that mark there was a dead run to the southeast corner of the pond and final long reach up the southern side to the finish at the twin buoys in front of the club house.

First to cross the line at the start was Roger McAll (Laser full rig – NSSC) with Steve Duncan (Laser full rig –NSSC) further to windward and Tim Cox (Laser Radial – NSSC) taking a port tack chance against Alan Simmons’s (Streaker –Lancing SC) starboard tack at the same time.

The younger fitter helms – in their Lasers made the early running with Steve.D in front by the end of lap 1, a position he was to hold for the entire race, then followed Roger.Mc and Tim.C.
Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial – NSSC) soon closed in on Tim.C (after a close encounter with Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC)) who capsized - in lap2- on top of Julian Dobson (Laser Full rig – NSSC) and in the ensuing muddle Alan.S passed the pair of them. On recovery Paul realised that he was taking water into his hull – in spite of repairs the previous week – and decided to retire ashore and compete no further.

By lap5 Jonty.F had managed to pass Tim.C and also Roger.MC, climbing into second place on the water – a position he retained to the finish at the end of 10 laps. Alan.S was unable to make ground on either 3rd placed Tim.C or 4th placed Roger.Mc but he did have a good race with Julian.D managing to stay just ahead.
Chas Humphries (Laser full rig – NSSC) – 8th at the end of lap 1 stayed ahead of the back marker Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC) but they both enjoyed a brisk sail.
Conditions were not as gusty or strong as last week and it seems that the only casualty was Paul.R Everybody else came ashore with broad grins having loved every minute of the hour long race –especially the swift reach up the ultimate leg of each lap.
The results were calculated Manually (a minor error was picked up when they went onto Sailwave later in the day) but it was an overall win for Jonty.F by 6 seconds over Alan.S and with Steve.D, the fleet leader on the water, in third place 11 seconds behind Alan.

Result (Unofficial/provisional):-

Ist. Jonty Freeman, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd.Steve Duncan, 4th. Tim Cox, 5th. Roger McAll,

6th. Julian Dobson, 7th. Chas Humphries, 8th Bill Wates. - Paul Ryan retired.

PS. Steve.D advsed me that I did him an injustice last week – he refutes that he capsized during that race – I humbly apologise!

Alan.S 1700

Elford Numbum Race 3 - 16.01.2011

2011-01-17T12:27:00.004Z

Grey and overcast, honking around the west side of the house in Hove but mild’ish (at 10°C) s registered in the car on the way to Piddinghoe. The Seaford Windguru was forcasting a solid force 5 for the day so it was a bit’ iffy’ if Alan was going afloat. On arrival at Piddinghoe the cloud was beginning to break and some blue sky was showing. A check on the pond side showed a maximum of 12 knots but there was the occasional ‘whilstling in the rigging’ – usually experienced when the wind is force 6!
A course was set along the northside of the pond with a very short windward leg to the twin marks, bearing off to a yellow mark opposite the flag pole and then back east on a short run across to a turning mark for a second beat. There followed a short reach to the mark in the southern corner of the pond, a gybe and run northwards followed by a broad reach to near the north bank and then the full beat back to the start. As is usual the wind at Piddinghoe comes in lumps, some today were rather hefty gusts.
Some ten boats took to the water, including Alan.S in his Streaker.

He had barely left the shore when one of those lumps of breeze flipped him into the water – not a very auspicious start. Apart from the loss of dignity – in full view of all – he lost his mast head burgee to the pond mud. There was plenty of reaching up and down before the start in the Southerly breeze.

At the gun it was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) first off the blocks, closely followed by Michael Veale (RS200 –NSSC) crewed by Rupert Smith and behind them Steve Duncan (Laser full rig).

Alan.S was at the back having been caught in a Starboard boat’s call and as a result got into irons.
At the end of the first lap Paul.R was in front – a position from which he remained un challenged to the finish – Michael.V second up but with Steve.D right on his tail. Darren Field and Tim Cox (both Laser Radials – NSSC) were in 4th and 5th spot with Alan.S behind them in 6th. The trailing pack consisted of Alice Smith (Topper –NSSC) ahead of Callum Johnson (Laser Radial) then Bill Waites in his much reefed Laser Radial with Gary Johnson (Pico – NSSC) bringing up the rear.
By the end of lap two Steve.D had passed Michael.V whilst Tim.C had bested Darren. F. The bottom south east corner seemed to be popular swimming location as the gybe caught out quite a few sailors. – not that it was the only spot and most of the ten had a dip (or two) in the course of the race, even Paul.R the leader and Steve.D.
Gary.J gave up quite soon having not only failed to sign on but missed out a mark and Callum.J did likewise not too long after his dad, Callum had found the breeze somewhat more testing than he expected and did not overly enjoy his swims.

By lap 7 Darren.F had passed both Tim.C and Michael.V but came a cropper in the following lap and decided enough was enough. Niether Tim.C nor Alan.S were able to make any headway against Michael.V and in the closing laps (for them) Alan.S did make up some ground but could not gain enough to pass.
At the finish the order was 1st .Paul.R, 2nd. Steve.D, 3rd. Michael.V, 4th Tim.C and 5th Alan.S.
It had been a very gusty race with plenty of spills and for the heavyweights quite fun if somewhat damp. Alan. S was not so sure it had been a wise decision for him to sail after all, but he had stayed upright during the race. Results (unofficial/preliminary):-
1st, Paul Ryan, 2nd. Steve Duncan, 3rd Alan Simmons, 4th. Michael Veale and Rupert Smith,
5th. Tim Cox, 6th Alice Smith, 7th. Bill Waites. – Darren Field, Callum Johnson and Gary Johnson all retired.
Alan.S 1700

Numbum Race 2 - 09/01/2011

2011-01-09T19:38:00.001Z

A beautiful clear blue sky, lots of sunshine and no breeze at the start of the drive to Piddinghoe. A bank of greyish cloud began to drift off to the south as the boats began to rig and a faint breeze began to blow from the north, just to compliment the near zero temperature which had added a goodly frost to the boat covers.

Kay was able to set a new style of course – from the previous session of north easterlies experienced in the Freeman Iceberg Series. The start was just below the sailing school berths on the south side of the pond up to the twin buoy mark adjacent to the clubhouse. From there it was a very broad reach to the north east corner, right turn to a mark in the middle of the pond and then a close reach back towards the south side before setting off on a run to the gybe mark north of the island. A short close reach behind the island led to a long beat from that southern corner right up the southern side of the pond to the finish mark keeping all the marks on the way up to starboard – lots of tacking.

Some eleven boats took to the water and on the start line there was a bit of bunching. Matt Springhall (Laser full rig – NSSC) was first to start although unfortunately for him just a bit too early and he had to extricate himself from the rest of the hoard to get back behind the line and start properly. Darren Field (Laser Radial – NSSC) and then Steve Duncan (Laser full rig- NSSC) were effectively next across the line and just inside Darren was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC). Having the inside berth at the pin end allowed Alan to also take the lead position at the twin buoy mark and then begin to establish a reasonable lead over the rest of the fleet which he retained until the last few moments of the race.
By the end of the second lap Matt had recovered from his ‘too early’ start and was scrapping it out with Steve. These two continued to pass and re-pass one another until in lap 4 Steve suffered a failure of the flexible joint in his tiller extension and subsequently retired. It was unfortunate in so far as he was on the point of catching and overtaking Alan. On this occasion Matt had dropped back a bit behind Steve leaving Alan still in front.

Tom Taylor (Megabyte – NSSC) had not come out of the start too well although being near the front row, he got a bit boxed in at the start and had to work hard – very difficult in the early light breeze – to get back in the race and in the early laps had to do a ‘few’ turns for both other boats and marks (so it was subsequently learned). During this early part of the race Darren Field (Laser Radial – NSSC) was giving him a good run for his money. Darren also managed to pass Roger McAll (Laser full rig) in lap 2 whilst slipping into 4th spot which he held to the finish.

At one point, in mid race, one capsize occurred when Bill Waites (Laser radial – NSSC) caught a hefty gust along the north side of the pond but it was a dry capsize so he reports.

Michael Veale(NSSC) crewed by Mike Rosier in their RS 200 although able to fly their spinnaker led 5th place on the water in the first couple of laps but then dropped back to 7th until Steve retired and were then 6th to the end of the race.
Callum Johnson (Laser Radial – NSSC) fought out 8th place with Jesica Cox (Topper – NSSC) until she too retired but it was Gary Johnson (Topper – NSSC) right at the rear until he too retired in lap 5.
In the penultimate lap (lap 8) the breeze began to build, towards the top end of force 3, and Tom in his Megabytye began to catch up with Alan having already passed Matt – who decided, whilst on the run across the pond, to do a ‘Captain Cook’ and go exploring on the island with a spectacular roll to starboard. He had, as Steve earlier, been on the point of passing Alan but none the less managed to stay in 3rd spot on the water after his recovery and re-launch.
In the final seconds of the last lap Tom finally got past Alan to cross the line 5 seconds ahead, nowhere near enough to beat him on handicap however.

Results:-

1st. Alan.S, 2nd Darren.F, 3rd. Matt.s, 4th. Tom.T, 5th. Roger.Mc, 6th. Michael.V, 7th. Bill.W, 8th. Callum.J – Steve.D, Jessica.C and Gary.J retired.

Paul Ryan (Hardway SC) did an excellent duty – if a trifle noisy – as safety boat helm, whilst young James Veale gave Kay support in acting as AOD.

Alan.S 1700

Numbum 2011 - race 1 02.01.2011

2011-01-03T14:24:00.001Z

Firstly may I wish all my viewers a Happy New year 2011. Now read on for a double helping.

Num Bum Race No 1 – 02.01.2011.
Cloudy but with small breaks showing blue sky and absolutely no breeze in a temperature of some 2 degrees C – such was the journey to Pidinghoe from Hove this morning. The clouds continued to break up and some sun was seen and miraculously half an hour before racing was due to start a slight NE breeze filled in at the pond – no more than force 2.
Kay set a course with a beat along the north side of the water followed by a run to a mark near the middle of the south side. A further beat then followed back towards the NE corner then off on a close reach and around the eastern side of the Island finally turning north along the south side of the water back to the starting area off the clubhouse.
The nine strong fleet was joined by Alex Mills-Barton (Laser full rig – NSSC) – before his depature to bigger things in Florida, USA and it was he who led off the line at the gun. In Close contention were Laurence Venus in his Steaker, Steve Duncan (Laser full rig – NSSC) and Paul Ryan also Laser full rig.
Close behind this group were Alan Simmons (Streaker), Julian Dobson (Laser full rig) and Darren Field (Laser Radial) with Callum Johnson (also in a Radial) and Bill Waites similarly boated out.
During the early laps Alex.M-B pulled away but a battle royal developed behind with both Laurence and Paul vying for second place on the water. Likewise Alan.S was in contention initially with Steve.D and Julian.D.
Upfront Alex was unchallenged but there was a bit of argy bargy between Lauence and Paul with a fair bit of vocalisation between them (mostly Paul) and at one point in lap 5 Laurence was seen to be doing turns and as a result lost out several places putting him back in 5th place behind Steve and Alan.
Darren whilst close behind Julian in the early laps seemed to fade as the race progressed with the full rig slowly pulling away as would be expexted. Likewise Callum could not hang on to Bill but it was spotted that his Kicker was hanging rather slack at all times. Ashore he said that it had been slipping but he hoped to get hold of the latest fittings pack if he could persuade his dad.
Alan and Steve gradually drew away from Julian in lap 3 and Alan finally, also in lap 5, got ahead of Steve to begin to catch up with Paul.
In the penultimate lap, after a few place changes, Alan overtook Paul and stayed ahead to the finish. Laurence slowly made good some of the ground he had earlier lost and also passed Steve to cross the line in fourth place.
The usual banter about the Streaker handicap took place in the changing room –‘ if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em’ is the phrase that comes to mind.
With the handicaps worked out it was Alan who was the winner (just) ahead of Alex, who’s 4.1/2 minute lead was insufficient and then it was Laurencein third place.
Results (Provisional/Unofficial):- 1st. Alan.S, 2nd. Alex.M-B, 3rd. Laurence.V, 4th. Paul.R, 5th. Steve.D, 6th. Julian.D, 7th. Darren.F, 8th. Bill.W, 9th. Callum.J

New Year’s Day morning was grey and overcast and as Alan Passed the Sussex University on the way to Piddinghoe it was drizzling. On arrival at the pond at about 12.30 the drizzle was no longer present but the skies were still overcast but with a light North Easterly (force 2 ish)blowing from the top corner of the pond.
The course was a beat across the north side of the pond followed by a run back to a mark near the middle of the south bank. Having rounded that it was back towards the NE corner then a run back to the south side. After tuning this one it was a beat around the north side of the pond, back to the SE corner and then a close reach back up the south side to the start mark just off the clubhouse.
Eight boats took to the water for the 2.00pm start and it was Laurence Venus (Streaker – NSSC) who was first away along with Jonty Freeman (Laser Radial – NSSC). Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) was just a little behind but it was Lauernce who took off into the wild blue yonder, never to be subsequently challenged.
Callum Johnson (Laser Radial – NSSC)slotted in behind Alan.S and remained in 4th spot on the water to the finish.
The Toppers of Rupert Smith (NSSC), Alice Smith (NSSC) – Rupert’s daughter- together with Sasha Stonard (NSSC) had a continuing battle through out the race. The former pair always close together with Alice.S getting past her dad in the 4th lap only to lose out again in the final lap they sailed often less than 10 seconds separating them.
Gary Johnson (Pico – NSSC) brought up the rear of the fleet –the slow speed of the boat being the reason why his son Callum has opted for the Laser Radial.
Whilst Laurence romped away at the front of the fleet, trying out the Carbon Fibre mast lent to him by Alan.S, Alan himself enjoined a battle with Jonty.F and passed him by the end of the second lap only to lose out again when he snared the mooring line of a mark and pull it onto him. After doing his turns he had it all to do again but by the finish of lap 6 (the final lap) he was still 5 seconds adrift.
With the average lap taking about 10 minutes for Laurence.V – apart from the first lap - he finished some 4 minutes ahead of Jonty and Alan.
As the boats were finally packed away it appeared as if night had come early with dark and threatening skies – more drizzle was noted on the drive home through the downs near Falmer.
Results:-
1st Laurence.V, 2nd. Alan.S, 3rd. Jonty.F, 4th Rupert.S, 5th. Alice.S, 6th. Callum.J, 7th. Sasha.S, 8th. Gary.J
Appologies for the lack of Pics for this and for the first Numbum Race below due to the usual photographer – Bett Simmons – being indisposed with a large dollop of Bronchitus, but slowly improving.

Alan.S 1700

Freeman Iceberg - Race 8 Boxing Day 2010

2010-12-26T15:04:00.001Z

Lovely, Bright, Sunny, Cool (only a light frost) and barely a whisper of Breeze. That was when we got up however on arrival at Piddinghoe the apparent Ice cover made it obvious that this the last race of the series was not to be. The coverage was at least 3/4" thick and the safety boat was frozen in good and solid.

By normal start time there were eight or ten sailors and Kay (the series race officer) present in the gradually warming hut - the heaters were on. Coffee was not immediately possible - the taps were frozen up in the kitchen area. A hasty check found running water in the gents changing room and the oven hob was working so the mulled wine was soon warming up. The mince pies were another matter as no one present could navigate through the menu system to turn the oven on. Rescue came via the Microwave and so all were soon provided with the 'true' spirit of Xmas.

The only item on the agenda therefore was the prizegiving which then took place.

In third place in his full rig Laser was Paul Ryan sailing this year again after a two year break.

In second place was Laurence Venus in his Streaker, in only his second series on the pond.

Top spot went to Alan Simmons also in a Streaker, a long term winter visitor to Piddinghoe, who took home the Freeman Iceberg Trophy presented to him by John Freeman - the co designer/builder of the trophy. John gave all present ashort history of the Iceberg's origins back in 1973.

Kay was roundly thanked for her continual efforts in running the series, no matter what the weather - iced up pond execepted - and presented with a small gift on behalf of those who took part in the series.

The proceeding concluded with notification of the next race at Pidinghoe, due at 2.00pm on New Years Day and with the start of the first Numbum race the following day at 11.00am. Both of these events subject, of course, to a thaw of the pond's ice.

Freeman Iceberg Race 7 - 19/12/2010

2010-12-20T15:34:00.002Z

Alan awoke to a grim scene, dark grey skies, a flurry or two of snow and a complete lack of traffic on the road outside - no busses, no cars and not many pedestrians. It did not help that he was still suffering from a heavy head cold and thus not feeling the best, none the less something had to be done. The night before Alan had intended to phone Kay, the Race Officer and organiser of the series, before leaving to have a pond inspection. Once he saw the state of play he would phone her again to let her know whether to come along - she lives a lot closer than Alan.
As it happens she, Kay, forestalled him with a call at about 8.30am saying that she did not think it worthwhile as she expected the pond to be fully frozen over. Alan had to concur with that presumption as the temperature had barely been above freezing all the preceeding week. He called round a few of the possible racers and Rupert Smith said that he would be going down to have a look and would phone him back. The outcome was that Rupert confirmed at least an inch (25mm) of ice covering the whole pond. The previous week's ice breaking would not have been sucessfull a second time.

Although these pictures - courtesy of Julian Dobson - show the situation at 10.00am they do not quite create the desolate scenes at Piddinghoe that morning. By the looks of it even the fisherman did not go along!
That leaves the Boxing day race, the final of the series and with the current weather conditions, on a knife edge in more than one way. Will it happen, and can it, if it does will Laurence Venus snatch overall victory from Alan - they are but 0.3 points apart in the league table? It would be a pity not to be able to race but the Series prizgiving will take place (at Piddinghoe) provided every one can still access the pond.
The next scheduled race is due on New Year's Day - 2.00pm - with the Elford Numbum series starting the day after - 2nd January 2011 at 11.00am.
Freeman Iceberg Series Results Standing to date :-
1st. Alan Simmons - 4.7 pts, 2nd Laurence Venus -5.0 pts, 3rd. Paul Ryan - 12 pts, 4th. Rupert Smith - 20 pts, 5th. Steve Duncan - 20 pts, 6th. Julian Dobson - 24 pts, 7th. Michael Veale - 25 pts, 8th. Chas Humphries - 28 pts, 9th. Jonty Freeman - 28.5 pts, 10th. Davis Hitchens - 48 pts.

Alan.S 1700

Freeman Iceberg Race 6 - 12/12/2010

2010-12-12T19:11:00.002Z

Sunshine, Blue sky and just a hint of a North Easterly breeze but fairly cool greeted our arrival at Piddinghoe this morning at 9.30am. What none of us were prepared for was that the pond was frozen over its entire surface – subsequently a small patch of open water was observed way over near the east bank but that was only visible from afloat.

Alan Simmons (Lancing) was on duty as rescue boat helm but ended up as Icebreaker Extrordinaire as he attempted to clear a passage around an estimated course. At first glance it appeared that there was only a light coating of ice – about 1/8” thick near the clubhouse – but further out and to the south east it was found to be nearer 1/2”thick and as the race – yes one was started – progressed it was re-freezing as soon as broken up.
By the time the competitors had made up their minds to attempt to sail a light force 2 breeze had filled in from the northeast and some 8 craft made it onto the water among them Callum Johnson (NSSC) sailing, for the first time, in a Laser Radial with a sail borrowed from Rupert Smith (Laser Radial - NSSC) who found yet another sail to use. Michael Veale (RS 200 – NSSC) could find no crew so opted to sail single handed and Mike Rosier (having crewed Michael.V previously) did find a crew for his Topper Mango.
The course, once Alan.S had cleared enough water, was the same as last week – up to the Northeast corner then around the Island, followed by a beat to the middle of the pond. From there it was a fetch to the south side and then north turn back to the start/finish mark just off the clubhouse.
First off the line was Michael.V followed by Laurence Venus (Steaker – NSSC) himself hot pursued by Rupert.S.
By the end of the first lap Laurence.V was nearly a minute ahead and each lap pulled up even further and was never challenged. Similarly Michael.V slotted into second place and stayed there. Rupert. S, heavy enough to break his way through the ice was however a wee bit too heavy for the gentle breeze and was soon overtaken by Darren Field (Laser Radial – NSSC).

After lap 1 Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC) made a call ashore (for reasons unknown to the writer) and after re-starting was left in the tailender’s spot for the remainder of the race, having to follow Mike.R, in the Mango, around who himself was spotted jammed in the ice at one time.

Chas Humphries (Laser full rig) although 7th at the end of the first lap pulled up to 5th spot by the finish behind Rupert.S

The outright winner – using his original and not new sail - was Laurence.V, some four minutes ahead of the second boat of Michael.V and 6.1/2 minutes ahead of Darren.F.

Although there was little place changing during the race Callum.J must be congratulated on a brilliant performance and yes it is a little faster in a Laser but, in that breeze, not a lot. The rest of the fleet had to put up with some trying conditions too but hopefully the hot coffee afterwards helped. The R.O. sitting on her bench outside the club house, even if she was in the sun, deserves a medal – well done (as always but especially today) Kay!

After application of the handicaps the results were as follows (Unofficial, Provisional*) :-

1st. Laurence.V, 2nd. Darren.F, 3rd.Michael.V, 4th, Rupert.S, 5th. Chas.H, 6th. Callum.J,

7th. Mike.R, 8th. Bill.W.

Hopefully and in spite of the drop in temperature forcast it will be clear water and a trifle warmer next Sunday.

Alan.S 1700.

*For the official results see – http://nssc.org.uk/results/2010/freemanicberg2010.htm

Freeman Iceberg Race 5 - 5th December 2010

2010-12-05T19:39:00.002Z

The external thermometer – in the car – was hovering between1 and 2 degrees C on the journey to Piddinghoe. The sky was grey and overcast with just a hint of the sun trying to break through. The pond was free of ice and a tiny breeze (4 to 5 knots) was blowing from the north eastern corner, along the top bank. By the end of the race and the packing up of the boats the sun did show itself briefly.

This has been the predominant wind direction for all the races to date so it was no surprise to have to sail a similar course. Leg one was a beat along the northern side to a bright (day-glow) pink mark. From thence it was a broad reach to a yellow mark northeast of the island and then a run to the other side of the island to a mark in the south east corner. After a short reach, to a mark north west of the island, it was a second beat to a turning mark near the middle of the pond, followed by a broad reach across to the southern side and finally a sharp north turn back to the start/finish line.

A little breeze had come up in time for the start – the low end of force 3 – and it was Laurence Venus (Steaker – NSSC), sporting his new P & B sail, who was first across the line at the start. Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) was close behind Laurence and Steve Duncan (Laser full rig – NSSC) on their heels. Michael Veale (RS 200 – NSSC) was just to leeward of these three and Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) found himself shoved even further down the line to avoid the leading bunch.

Paul.R and then Steve.D tacked off onto port to find the breeze in the middle of the pond whilst Laurence.V stayed near the north bank and by the time the windward mark was reached it was Paul.R a couple of boat lengths up on Steve.D with Laurence just behind him and Alan.S another length astern.
Tom Taylor (Megabyte – NSSC) sailing in his first race of this year’s Freeman Iceberg series had been a bit shy of the rest at the start but slowly but shurely began to pull up and was closing on Alan.S by the end of the lap. It was not however until the middle of lap 3 before he got ahead.

Paul.R held the lead throughout the race by an average of no more than 15 seconds during the first 5 laps and that only increased to 30 seconds in the next four – each lap lasting on average 7 minutes.
Laurence.V was in a continual struggle with Steve.D, passing him in lap 3, losing out in lap 4, getting ahead once more in lap 5 and then losing out yet again in lap6 whilst staying behind then to the finish at the end of lap 9.
Michael.V (crewed by Mike Rosier – NSSC) although using their asymmetric spinnaker were unable to hold off a challenge from David Hitchens (Laser full rig - NSSC) and David got through them in lap 5. At the finish the order was 1st. Paul.R, 2nd. Steve.D, 3rd.Laurence.V and 4th Tom.T. The light, but shifty, breeze – which faded a bit towards the end - gave little chance for the faster boats to sail to their handicaps whilst the two Streakers revelled in the conditions and took overall first and second places.
Frozen fingers and feet were the order of the day but a nice steaming hot cup of coffe helped a little.
Results (Unofficial-Provisional) :-
1st. Laurence.V, 2nd. Alan.S, 3rd .Paul.R, 4th. Steve.D, 5th. Tom.T, 6th. David.H. 7th. Michael.V
Alan.S still leads the series, just, but next week has a rescue boat duty (hope today’s little problems with the engine are a thing of the past) – Laurence.V has one too the following week so there is still a battle to be joined.
Alan.S 1700.

Freeman Iceberg - Race 4- 28/11/2010

2010-11-29T11:45:00.004Z

With a forcast of 9 to 10 knots from the north east, Grey overcast skies with a few tiny patches of blue but with a heavy frost on the ground – and ice in the boats – just 8 competetors prepared to take to the water. The actual breeze was nearer 3 knots before the boats went afloat just after a brief flurry of snow.
The first leg of the course was a beat along the northern side of the pond to the mark in the north east corner followed by a gybe onto a run to the next mark south of the Island. This was followed by another beat northwards and then a reach to a mark north east of the Island followed by a run to the south east corner of the pond. The final leg, leaving two other marks to starboard, was a close reach up the southern side of the pond to the finish point where the course had started.
First off the line was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig) with Jonty Freeman (Radial) close behind and then Julian Dobson (Laser full rig) and Michael Veale (RS 200) crewed by Mike Rosier. Alan Simmons (Streaker) was well off the line having failed to catch the start sequence sound signals and crossed behind the RS 200 and the full rig laser of Steve Duncan.
At the end of the first run Paul.R who was leading took the mark on the wrong side and as a result had three or four places to regain when he had rounded correctly. By the end of the first lap he was back in second spot just 6 seconds behind Jonty.F, the new leader, with Alan.S just another 3 seconds behind.
After two laps Paul.R was in front again with Steve.D some 30 seconds behind and Julian.D lying third whilst Alan.S was lying fourth. Jonty.F was just 5 seconds behind Alan and these two (Alan and Jonty) continued to tussle for the rest of the race.
Michael.V in the RS 200 could not make the boat go in the light breezes, which did build a little during the race, and he dropped back from an intial 5th place to 7th by the finish. The light stuff did not suit Callum Johnson (Pico) either and he was recorded in last place for each of the three laps he managed to complete, he is trying to convince his dad to get him a faster boat.
David Hitchens (Laser full rig) retired before completing three laps, almost certainly due to the freezing cold conditions, which left unprotected fingers extremely vulnerable. Chas Humphries (Laser full rig) soldiered on pulling up f4om 8th in lap one to 6th at the finish. One Laser, it is not clear which, did manage to lassoe the mark to the south east of the Island with his mainsheet – the mark held postion!

The main ‘excitement’ came in the last two laps when the battle between Alan.S and Jonty.F was joined once more. It was on the long close reach, in lap, 4 that Alan gained an inside overlap just before the final mark. It did not last long as Jonty found the breeze first but the same happened in the last lap at exactly the same point and Alan just pipped Jonty across the line. As an added bonus to this pair, Steve.D who had been lying in second place decided to head for the wrong mark mid lap and as a result of sailing a somewhat longer course ended up behind them in fourth spot.
Once the handicaps had been computed it was Alan.S who was declared the winner with Paul.R in second place and Jonty.F just adrift in third spot. Alan.S now heads the leader board for the series with Laurence Venus (Streaker) – who did not sail today in second position and Jonty.F in third.

Results (unofficial-provisional) :-
1st. Alan.S, 2nd. Paul.R, 3rd. Jonty.F, 4th. Steve.D, 5th. Julian.D, 6th. Chas.H, 7th. Michael.V, 8th. Callum.J, David.H - Retired.

Freeman Iceberg Race 3 - 21st November 2010

2010-11-22T16:48:00.003Z

Dark Grey and totally overcast with but the slightest hint of an easterly (once again) breeze were the conditions that greeted us on arrival at Piddinghoe for Race three of this year’s Freeman Iceberg Series. It was none to warm either, about 8 degrees C, requiring the extra layer or two to be worn.
The course was similar to last week’s, starting with a beat across the north side of the pond. It was then a gybe and run to a mark on the western side, close to the flag pole area, then another gybe off to a mark just north of the Island. The following leg was to be a broad reach to a mark south of the Island concluding with a close reach up the western side of the pond to the top, starting mark. This leg effectively meant boats passing the same mark but in different directions which was to lead to problems during the later stages of the race.

16 boats came to the line for the start, including a number of new entrants including two Toppers by which time the breeze had picked up to a good force 3. At the gun it was Jonty Freeman (Radial –NSSC) first away with Steve Duncan (Laser full rig - NSSC) just a tad behind but to windward, followed by Rupert Smith (Radial – NSSC) and then Julian Dobson (Laser full rig – NSSC).

These four soon tacked off onto port tack towards the middle of the pond whilst the Streakers of Laurence Venus (NSSC) and Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) , a bit to leeward headed for the northern bank along with the following pack. Once Laurence and Alan tacked they had to cross the followers and whilst Laaurence made it Alan was bulked by the RS 200 of Michael Veale crewed by Mike Rossier (NSSC) and had to duck his stern.
Paul Ryan (Laser full rig) had not had a glorious start but by the end of the first lap had pulled up to second place on the water just 9 seconds behind Jonty.F with Steve.D just behind these two. Behind these three it was Laurence.V just 7 second ahead of Rupert.S and then Michael.V. Alan.S was languishing in 7th place some 17 seconds behind.
By the end of lap 2 Paul.R was just ahead (4 seconds) of Jonty.F, Steve.D still held 3rd spot and Laurence.V still held fourth only 3 seconds ahead of Rupert.S and Michael.V. –thse two on exactly the same time.
The next changes , in lap 3 were when Steve.D managed to overtake Jonty.F, albeit briefly and Alan.S finally managed to get past Michael.V into 6th spot.
Jonty re-passed Steve in lap 4 and Julian.D pulled through to 8th position ahead of Michael.V , whilst Alice Smith (Topper – NSSC) climbed up to 11th place from 13th and Bill Waites (Radial - NSSC) managed to sail the wrong course and got himself disqualified.
In lap 5, there were no more changes but in an incident in lap 6 when there was a coming together of three boats, Steve.D, Bill Giles (Solo – NSSC) and David Hutchin (Laser full rig-NSSC) at the mark near the flag pole.
Steve.D was on the reaching leg whilst the other pair were gybing around that mark – about half a lap behind. There was a bit of vocalisation but all three boats suffered some delay and lost places, Steve.D dropping from 3rd to 6th, Bill.G from 10th to 13th whilst David.H gained a place by the end of the lap. Alan.S also gained a place to 5th from Steve’s loss. Also in lap 6 Tim Cox (Laser full rig- NSSC) retired although whether he was also involved in this or another incident is unknown to the writer.
In laps 7, 8 and 9 there were no more place changes although with an increase in the wind strength (to a good middle force 4) there was a bit of closing up with Alan.S especially making some ground on Laurence.V although insufficient to make a real challenge. At the finish gun the order was Paul.R, Jonty.F, Rupert.S, Laurence.V, Alan.S and then Steve.D.
Callum Johson (Pico – NSSC) sailed a steady if slow race and in lap 6 managed to get ahead of Sasha Stonard (Topper – NSSC) – in his first race of the series. Callum was afterwards heard to say he wished he could go a bit faster – and be ahead of both of the Toppers at least.
In the middle of the fleet Chas Humphries (Laser full rig – NSSC) had a mixed race but slowly pulled up from 12th in lap 1 to 9th by the time he finished his 8th lap. There were several capsizes for the less experienced helms but a spectacular show was put on by Michael.V and Mike.R when they laid their RS 200 flat with spinnaker up on the first running leg in the second or third lap. They did not both fall out and soon recovered but it was a sight to see. Through out the fleet there were mini battles taking place during the race, many very close encounters and a few loud words, some a bit excessive!
Results (Unofficial- provisional):-
1st. Laurence.V, 2nd. Alan.S, 3rd. Jonty.F, 4th.Paul.R, 5th. Rupert.S, 6th.Steve.D, 7th. Alice.S, 8th. Michael.V, 9th. Julian.D, 10th.Chas.H, 11th. Bill.G, 12th. Sasha.S, 13th. David.H, 14th. Callum.J. Tim.C – retired and Bill.W – disq -sailed wrong course.
Alan.S 1700.
PS. If I get it wrong, fail to mention your name or miss out any spicy or exciting bits please comment on the blogsite or better still tell me on the day. I have to work with what I see on the water (not easy to recall it all later) and then from positions gleaned from the lap charts.

Freeman Iceberg Race 2 - 14th November 2010

2010-11-16T09:28:00.003Z

A rather grey sky, cool and no wind was the situation on arrival at Piddinghoe for the second of the Freeman Iceberg Races. Half of the pond surface (the northern half) was mill pond flat whilst the was the lightest of ruffles on the other half. This being Remembrance Sunday boats were rigged but largely left ashore until the two minutes silence was observed – in pouring rain - close to the club flag pole.
A course was set, once a tickle of easterly breeze arrived, with an initial beat along the north side, turning south on an offwind leg to the Island area. The next leg was a beat close by the Island shore to a turning mark in the pond centre. Once round this it was back towards the island before finally turning north towards the start line off the clubhouse.

At the starting gun most of the pack was heading towards the shore end of the line but Alan Simmons (Streaker) spotted that there was going to be a bit of a melee and held back at the tail end tacking off immediately at the pin end as the gun went. Second up was Paul Ryan (Laser full rig) and then Steve Duncan (Laser full rig). Julian Dobson(Laser full rig) was next but a little low down whilst Rupert Smith(Radial) had extricated himself at the head of the shore end group.
By the time the first boat arrived at the windward mark the wind was about force two. This suited Alan and his initial decision had proved right as he rounded in the lead and which he maintained –just – throughout the race.
Laurence Venus (Streaker) made a disasterous start close under the bank where he lost all of what little breeze there was but he began to pull (Streaking) through the leading boats and by the end of lap 1 he was in third spot on the water. Alan.S meanwhile, having fended off an inside water call from Paul.R – inside the two lengths limit – remained ahead leaving Paul and Laurence to contend second place on the water. With the variable wind strength Alan’s lead over the second boat varied between about 12 seconds to 30 seconds during the race.
By the end of lap 4 Laurence.V had managed to get ahead of Paul.R by about half a minute however it was not to last and Paul regained second spot in the following lap and stayed ahead to the finish after eight laps.
Julian.D maintained his fourth position whilst Darren Field (Radial), in his first race of the series, slipped ahead of Steve.D ( in lap 3)who was wanting of ‘more breeze’ - as did Rupert.S struggling to maintain any boat speed in the ‘light stuff’. The forcast had been for the breeze to up to a force 4 or so before midday but that never materialised although there was a marginal increase in the later laps.
Chas Humphries (Laser full rig) was also struggling for want of breeze and was stuck in 8th place throughout the race.
Mike Rosier (Mango) had been up with the leading group at the start but even using the jib this time he continued to lose ground – boat weight being the suspect in this case.
There was another ‘new kid’ on the block – Callum Johnson - sailing an un-numbered Pico. He did not have a brilliant start being way off the line at the gun but using both sails kept him quite occupied during the race given the ideal wind strength for a novice.
At the finish it was Alan.S first over the line, followed by Paul.R , then Laurence.V and about a minute later Julian.D.
Results (provisional):-
1st.Alan.S, 2nd. Laurence.V, 3rd. Paul.R, 4th. Julian.D, 5th. Darren.F, 6th. Steve.D, 7th. Rupert.S, 8th.Chas.H, 9th. Mike.R, 10th. Callum.J

Freeman Iceberg Winter Series - Race 1 - 7th Nov 2010

2010-11-08T20:49:00.005Z

These ramblings are an unofficial blog/report and are strongly personal and biased as a Streaker
owner/racer in a mixed handicap fleet and I make no appologies for that fact. I do hope that they will nonetheless be of interest to those participating and those reading out of sheer noseiness.

The new season of winter races at Piddinghoe (Inland water of Newhaven and Seaford SC) was held today – Sunday 7^th November.
This year, as in the past few years, it was a general handicap race, with an eleven boat fleet consisting predominantly of Full Rig Lasers, a couple of Radials, a couple of Streakers, a Solo
and a Mango (sailed single handed with furled jib).

It was bright and sunny with a cool breeze of around the middleof force 4 from the eastern side of the pond. A course was set , starting off the club house with a beat along the north side, a broad reach to south of the Island, a slightly tighter but shorter one to the north and then another beat
to a mark in the middle of the water. Turning this there was a run to the west, a turn north once more to the top of the pond to then a final turn to starboard to begin the next lap.

Ten boats came to the line – the eleventh was a wee bit late and did not arrive until the leading boats were into their second lap – although there were only four boats near the line at the off.

First away was Jonty Freeman (Radial - NSSC) with Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) close behind and then Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) and Rupert Smith (Radial –NSSC) equally close behind him. The rest of the fleet were straggling some way behind.

By the end of the first lap (of the 11 laps the leading boats were to complete) the order was Jonty.F, Paul.R, Rupert.S, Alan.S and Lauernce Venus (Streaker) with just 23 seconds separating the first three and just 2 seconds between the Streakers.
Both of these situations were to stay much the same throughout the entire race with the leading Laser and Radials and the two streakers nip and tuck all the way. The leader of each of these two groups pulling out a few yards only to have his chaser catch right up on the subsequent lap.

Further back in the fleet the order in that first lap was Juilan Dobson (Laser full rig - NSSC) – 6^th place – then Bill Giles (Solo - NSSC), Chas Humphries (Laser full rig – NSSC) followed by David Hitchens (Laser full Rig – NSSC)with Mike Rosier (Mango – NSSC) bringing up the rear – Steve Duncan (Laser full rig – NSSC) was still ashore after a late arrival and launching problems.

The only changes in lap 2 were when Mike.R briefly got ahead of David.H however the gusty breeze soon saw him take his first swim of therace and finally Steve.D took to the water. By the end of lap 4 Steve.D had also gained a place ahead of Mike.R whilst the first five boat places remained
unchanged.

Halfway through lap 7 Laurence.V managed to catch a good gust on the second reaching leg, achieve an inside and then pull out a nice little advantage up the following beat sneaking into fourth place. This advantage he held until the beginning of the last lap – the 11^th. On the beat along the north side of the pond he tacked towards the shore to make the mark more easily but when tacking back got himself stuck in irons thus allowing Alan.S to get ahead again by sufficient margin to make it in front across the line.

In the leading group Paul.R finanally got ahead of Jonty.F in the last lap but he too had a problem and ended up letting Jonty.F get back ahead and letting Rupert.S through as well. The RO did not have her lap top with her so the results were only calculated later. It was a close run thing with Alan.S as joint winner along with Jonty.F and Laurence.V in third spot.

Results (Provisional):-
1^st (joint) Jonty.F, 1^st(joint) Alan.S, 3^rd.Laurence.V, 4^th Rupert.S, 5^th Paul.R, 6^th Julian.D, 7^th Bill.G, 8^th David.H, 9^th Chas.H,10^th Steve.D, 11^th Mike.R.

Alan.S 1700

Broxbourne SC Streaker Open - 12th September 2010

2010-09-13T15:20:00.001+01:00

A cloudless blue sky and a light breeze were present for our 7.00am start on our trip to Broxbourne Sailing Club near Nazeing in the Lea Valley. Two hours later, including our usual comfort stop, we were among the first to arrive for the joint Laser and Streaker Open event.

The breeze had risen to a reasonable force 4 for the first race for the 15 Lasers and 11 Streakers. The course, with a shore start, had been set to include two beats, two runs and a reach. Hot off the line and into an almost unassailable lead was Frank Catt (Downs SC) with Steve Garrett (Bough Beech SC) in hot pursuit and John Wolsoncroft (Broxbourne) also having a cracking start. Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) had been tipped over the line early and had to restart in next but last place. By the end of lap one Alan had pulled through to 3rd place and was joining Steve G in battle whilst the pair were both making ground on Frank.C. By the end of the second lap Martin Wayland (Broxbourne) appeared from lower down the fleet (having, he said later, not had a good start) to close up on this pair. At the finish it was Frank, then Alan followed by Martin and Steve in fourth place. Bill Steven (Broxbourne ) thought the wind too much for his liking so stayed ashore for this race. The breeze throughout had been variable in strength and direction under the large black clouds that began to appear. Under the clouds there were quite a few hefty gusts. It was a condition that was to last for the rest of the day frequently dropping away to a force 3.

Race two, after lunch, saw Frank.C first off the line once more with John.W having yet another good start. Alan.S had a better placing over the line and Steve.G was nowhere to be seen. It transpired that in hoisting his sail he had damaged the gooseneck fitting and had had to stay ashore to fix it for the final race. Taking his place it was Martin.W who got engaged with Alan and later on Frank and came home in third place again. At one point Alan caught and passed Frank only to lose out again on the next beat in the prevailing shifty conditions but these three had some very close competition. Not far behind these three Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) came home in fourth place. John.W capsized during this race and got his mast head stuck in the mud. The rescue boat had to help him recover so that was the end of his race. Bill.S ventured out in this race, after a somewhat shaky launching, but gave it best half way through. At the finish it was Frank.C in first position, Alan.S second, Martin.W third and Gary.H fourth.

After another short break race 3 started on a new (figure of eight) course and with a fleet reduced to nine boats. Yet again it was Frank.C who had the best and lead start, hotly pursued by Steve.G - now back on the water again. Alan.S was nearly there but a little further down the line, however he set off to catch the other two. With the new course came new pitfalls, a short reach at the northen end of the water was in the wind shadow caused by the ‘forest’ at that point and the leading group eventually got caught up by Geoff Town (Broxbourne SC) and Gary.H. By the final lap these two passed both Alan and Steve but Frank managed to escape the carnage. It was only on the penultimate leg that first Alan and then Steve managed to salvage an inside berth on the gaggle of boats (including the leading Laser) at the final turning mark. Alan just pulled out ahead on the last stretch to the line but suffered a heading gust whilst Steve had a freeing one and just pipped him over the line by a second. This meant that Frank.C fished first, Steve.G second and Alan.S third with Geoff.T in fourth.

Overall results:-

1st. Frank Catt, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd. Steve Garrett, 4th.Martin Wayland, 5th.Geoff Town, 6th. Gary Hogan, 7th. Ian Nash (Broxbourne), 8th. Nick Hayes (Broxbourne) 9th. John Wolsoncroft, 10th. Reg Mulley (Broxbourne), 11th Bill Steven.

My most successful results (excluding Weston) this year and as an added bonus to the second place I also was awarded the Masters Trophy for the meeting plus two lovely bottles of wine. Congratulations are due to Frank Catt on a clean sweep with the unusailable three first places and to Steve Garrett for a fine recovery from his fittings problem. I will unfortunately miss the last Open of the season at Alton Water due to other engagements.

Our journey home was however a nightmare, having left Broxbourne at about 5.15pm, when we came back across the Thames at Dartford on the M25 and the turned off onto the M23. Apparently there had been a serious accident, at 4.00pm, between junction 11 and Junction 9. The Motorway was closed and as we approached junction 11 we ran into the first of the major traffic jams the closure had ensured. We had little choice but to crawl along at never more than 8mph until finally all the traffic was diverted off at Crawley (junction 10). We got through the town OK but once back on the A23 out the town there was yet another hold up stretching all the way up the hill to Pease Pottage and that was moving at about 1mph! We finally got home at about 9.15pm.

Alan.S 1700

Deben YC - August 29th 2010

2010-09-08T11:26:00.008+01:00

It was not a very 'august' start to the day, arrising at 5am for a 6am get away I checked with theDeben site to discover that the first race was not scheduled until 12.30pm. The site link to the weather Guru showed at least a middle force five was due by that start time and increasing later.
It was a bright enough day although heavy black clouds hovered overhead and we had a good swift journey up – just over three hours to Deben YC , just south of Woodbridge and north east of Ipswich, including a leisurely coffee break. We were first at the club, which was not yet open when we arrived.
One has to park some distance away from the club area then go across a manually controlled (Bett) railway level crossing before traversing a foot path to the rigging area adjacent to the club house. What we did not know was that the local council had introduced parking fees but we paid up in the end – hitherto parking had been free on Sundays so we were nearly caught out.
We rigged the boat in excessively boisterous conditions above the launching ramps and I was in two minds whether or not to bother to sail. In the end I decided to give it a go and come back from the sailing area, some half a mile from the club, if I was unhappy.

The meeting was held jointly with some Enterprises, eight of them and six Streakers. Once at the starting area things began to go wrong. I along with a couple of Ents got stuck in the riverside mud. Fortunately for me I was able to turn the boat and sail out of the pudding. The Ents were not so lucky with at least one breaking his rudder in the process. It was certainly windy with extremely vicious gusts seemingly from all directions.
Eventually race one got underway, heading back up river in the direction of the club, and whilst I was close to the line I was about fourth to the windward mark with one boat behind me and, so I subsequently discovered, at least two of the three behind me inverted. Mike Hanes (Deben) was first to round the mark followed by Pierre Naude (Deben) and David Shuster (Deben). Gary Hogan (Haversham) even passed me up that first leg and the lot stretched away on the reach across the river.
Near the far bank it was a case of either a gybe or up the cut to wear round onto the third leg which was almost a run, certainly it was tippy enough. I think it was down this leg that David S took his first (of many) dips. I made it in one piece and then had to fight up the next beat slowly closing in on Gary. H. Half way up the next running leg my boat came out from beneath me and came over the top of me as I tried to right it and I reluctantly called for the rescue boat to use my rigging to get it vertical again whilst scooping me up inside in the process. I then high tailed it back up the cut to the club having decided to call it a day. When I got back to the recovery ramp there were at least two Ents there already so I did not feel quite so bad about my decision to quit.
As a consequence of my retirement from the fray I have to rely on third person reports (none of which have surfaced so far) of the rest of the racing, all of which was curtailed in some way. I believe the second race lasted only one lap and the final race saw all but one competitor taking a dip in reported forty mph gusts. Even the committee boat had to leave station to assist the boat recovery. I believe it was about this time that Dave Shuster suffered a halyard breakage, one way or another he ended up being towed home to the club. As the fleet returned none were sure whether they had finished or not or if the last race had been abandoned – it had not.
A disappointingly small entry, probably due to the forecast but the conditions at Deben, over the past few years, have been generally blustery to say the least – not something that the club can do much about except perhaps to choose a different month for the meeting and then hope!

Results:-

1st Mike Hanes, 2 points. 2nd Pierre Naude, 4 points. 3rd Peter Cogill (Rotherham SC), 6 points. 4th David Shuster, 7 points. 5th Gary Hogan, 8 points. 6th Alan Simmons (Lancing SC), 14 points.

Alan.S 1700

PS. If I do get some more detail I will edit this blog later on.

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NSSC Sailing Week 2010

2010-08-09T15:53:00.004+01:00

Every year, at the beginning of August, NSSC holds its annual sailing week. This currently comprises a morning series of races for Cadet Members, ‘Fun’ races for adults and an afternoon series of back to back serious races for slow and fast handicap dinghies, cats, keelboats and small yachts. The week is open to visitors and on site camping is available. Each evening there is a social function held in the clubhouse.
For many years I have attended in my Streaker(s) and this year a local member has also been sailing a Streaker , with some success in class racing, so this year I had a direct competitor. Weather for the week, Monday to Friday, is variable year on year. Last year it was largely a light wind event which provided me with some good wins enabling me to take the top trophy. This year by comparison it was mostly quite windy resulting in a heavy surf on the Seaford beach and making launching and recovery difficult to say the least and in some cases downright unattractive.
I will concentrate on the serious racing first of all where, due to the conditions, six out of the proposed ten races were held. Race 1 was held in a pleasant force three westerly breeze where Rupert Smith and CarolynTurner in their Fireball led the fleet. In second spot on the water Matt Springhall in his Laser led Laurence Venus in his Streaker with yours truly following behind. Laurence seemed to have higher pointing ability than I and I was unable to make any impression on him. However we finished in first and second spots respectively.
Race 2, held back to back and over the same Olympic style course in a tiny bit more breeze, saw the same leader, Rupert.S but with Matt.S closer up in the 14 strong fleet. Again Laurence.V was ahead of me but this time not so far and it was the change of tide that helped me get close on the second full lap on the windward leg. At the finish I was just a few yards adrift but Matt took the top spot so Laurence and I had to make do with 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
Tuesday’s Race 3 was held in a good stiff force 4 to 5 and neither Laurence nor I ventured afloat, the fleet was reduced to ten boats. Yet again it was Rupert and Carolyn showing the way in the momohulls with the cats having a lovely time but not in the running. Matt was going quite well for a while until he started capsizing the last of which broke his mast and ripped his sail and put him out of contention. However it was Jessica Cox in her Laser Radial that was really showing the boys the way to do it with Charlie Gribble, Laser full rig, unable to hold her off from second place. Chris Turner, Sarah Gribble and Penny Springhall, in a Squib, relishing in the stiff breeze came a creditable 4th.
Race 4 was abandoned when one of the rescue boat engines developed an electrical fault – which was fixed the next morning by the Commodore Chris Turner – by by-passing the faulty switch. When beaching it was Steve Duncan in his Laser full rig who crashed ashore breaking his mast and tearing his sail when caught out by a hefty wave breaking under him.
Race 5, due on Wednesday, was cancelled due to heavy surf and strong winds and a lack of enthusiasm to go afloat by any of the shore based entrants. As a consequence race 6 went by the board too as did the Club Wednesday evening racing.
Thurday Race 7, with little less surf and still a good blow, did start and it was the Dart 18 sailed by Jamie Lynch who led the fleet now down to seven boats. Second home were Rupert and Carolyn in the Fireball with Charles Watson and Elena Watson in their Dart 15.
Race 8 was also abandoned when the other rescue boat failed to start – it transpired due to a rope around its prop but this was not discovered until it had been towed back to harbour.
So to Friday – the final day. Race 9 over a trapezoidal course, with a loop, was started from the shore – first shore start of the week (perhaps the RO was not happy to bob about in the Committee boat again). Of the 6 starters it was Rupert and Carolyn off out ahead and with Matt, bedecked with a newly delivered sail, in hot pursuit. In fairly close contention up the first windward leg however were Sarah and Penny in the Squib and Jessica in her radial. I had steeled myself to go afloat in spite of some awesome waves but did enjoy the resultant reaches and runs. One of the problems was large clumps, almost beds, of stringy Sea Weed floating on the surface and guaranteed to end up wrapped around the board and rudder. I did at least (on handicap) beat Tim Cox in his Laser full rig to finish 5th.

Race 10 saw the fleet down to 4 boats and Rupert was soon ahead chased by Matt with Jessica behind him and me, as usual, at the back. If anything the waves were even bigger but the breeze had reduced just a smidgen. Matt won the race with Rupert in second place followed by Jessica. All managed to beach safely and ended up with huge grins on their faces, including me.
The overall winners of the week were Rupert and Carolyn with Matt just a point adrift in second and yours truly some way down in the points but none the less third position.
The Fast fleet trophy also went to Rupert and the Slow fleet trophy went to Matt – I was runner up in that. Because of the change to the Laser handicap (Yardstick Tables) the club handicaps have dropped the Lasers from fast to slow fleets, perhaps they will catch up next year.
Apart from Monday morning when I sailed in the Fun Race I was in one or other of the rescue boats, Tuesday through to Friday, and this gave me the opportunity to watch the Cadet Racing. There were seven youngsters competing but it was Jonty Freeman who had straight, and very convincing, wins in the four races sailed. Runner up in the fleet was Ross Turner in a Laser Radial and it was Alice Smith helming her Laser II with Sasha Stonard in third position.
In the Fun races, for the adults, Top spot went To Matt with Sara Gribble and Carolyn Turner (Squib) as runners up and James Clapham and Jenny Clapham (Dart 18) in third spot.
All in all a very enjoyable week. I would have liked less surf and wind, but this is England and one has to put up with what arrives. Again I would have hoped to see more entrants, both from club members and visitors - perhaps next year.
The full results are up on the NSSC web site for all to see, including those not mentioned in this blog (due to space considerations). There may even be some pictures soon on the club web site.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Open at Bosham 10/07/2010

2010-07-11T21:43:00.005+01:00

It was grey and overcast as we left for Bosham at 7.45 but by the time we arrived it was almost blue skies wall to wall. Intially, in the rigging area, the breeze left quite a bit to be desired(nil) but the inevitable sea breeze soon began to show.

Seven Streakers came to the line for the committee boat start and Olympic style courses. The tide was still flooding, although on its last legs with high tide at start time 11.00 hrs with a good force 2 breeze blowing straight up the channel.
It was Basil Messenger (Mengeham Rythe SC) who got the flier, in race 1, and high-tailed it out to the port side of the course but with Graham Butler (Bosham SC) – in my old boat 1567 Brash – chasing hard and Penny Dormer (Mengeham Rythe SC) close on his heels.
Having been forced the wrong side of the pin end mark I started a bit late and whilst the above three were having a battle royal I managed to squeeze up to 4th having been last at the windward mark. I hung on to that place until the last leg when Gary Hogan (Haversham SC and Ian Freeman (Warsash SC) both passed me on the downwind leg. Simlarly Basil was unable to hold off Graham.B and Penny.D.

At the start of race 2, which was held back to back after race 1 instead of the lunch break, and in slightly more breeze, it was Graham.B and Penny.D who pulled out ahead. I heard a second gun and, although not sure thought it was for me, went back to restart. As it turned out it did me no great harm and I slowly began to make headway against the leading pair. At the finish it was Graham, Penny and then yours truly - all within about five boat lengths.
We then had the deferred lunch break, albeit whilst afloat and could take time to notice of the multitude of traffic, Yachts (under power and sail), day-boats, Gin palaces and the like, all going up and down the main channel. They had been in evidence through out our previous races as the course was in mid channel, but we were somewhat too engaged to notice them except when they got a bit close for comfort – no incidents were reported however.
Race 3, in even more breeze – top end force 3, started well for me and I soon found myself in the lead, just, with Graham.B and Ian Freeman (Warsah SC) hot on my heels. At one point, in the final round, Graham bested me up the beat but I managed to re-pass him on the off-wind leg and cross the line to finish in top spot - just a length or so ahead of Graham and with Ian.F twenty or thirty yards astern.
Gary Hogan (Haversham) had his best result in the first race and then proceeded to drop off a little in the second and third race whilst John Smith (Bosham SC) slowly improved from 7th to 5th by the final race.
The overall result was an outright win for Graham.B with two straight wins (in only his second Streaker meeting) and with Penny.D in second spot with two seconds. I, if one uses the third race discount, I had 3rd place on equal points with Penny.
This was the innaugural Streaker Open Meeting to be held at Bosham and everything went off swimmingly largely due to the efforts of Basil.M - with the on the water refreshments provide by his wife Jane. I can confidently say that all the visitors will want to go to this venue next year if it is offered.
Results:-
1st. Graham Butler, 2nd (and 1st Lady helm) Penny Dormer, 3rd. Alan Simmons, 4th. Ian Freeman, 5th. Gary Hogan, 6th.Basil Messenger, 7th. John Smith.

Streaker Southern Area Champs - Broxbourne- 26/06/2010

2010-06-27T18:06:00.003+01:00

Not quite such an early start – 7.30am – to try to get through the road works on the M25. Just north of the Dartford Tunnel until just past the M11 turn off they are widening the road with the compulsory speed restrictions. Fortunately they still have all three lanes in each direction fully open. We took a turn off before our usual one – this time past Waltham Abbey – through the countryside. Almost at Broxbourne we took a wrong turn and finding ourselves on an unfamiliar route we had to back track.

It was red hot sun and blue skies and just a whisper of breeze but by the start of the first race it had built to a decent force three. But, as it turned out, very shifty and inconstant in direction and strength.

Of the fourteen competitors it was Frank Catt (downs SC) who got the break off the line and although hotly pursued by Ian Parish (Stewartby) and Ian Bradley (Ouse ACS). By the finish it was still Frank.C but Ian Bradley had pulled through to second place. Although I had a fairly average start and not a brilliant first lap I managed to pull up to finish Fourth with quite a gap to fifth placed M. Wayland (Broxbourne S C)
A break was then taken for lunch after which the next two races were to be back to back. The wind had built a little in strength for race two and this time it was Ian.B who quickly climbed into top spot with Frank.C and Ian.P both dicing it out behind. On the leg across the top of the water the gusts were sometimes enough to plane in. This time I got quite a good start and finished the race again in fourth place with Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) behind me in fifth.
For the final race the breeze was even a touch stronger and it was Ian.B who was soon in the lead and soon established a considerable lead ahead of Ian.P. I managed to hold onto third spot for a few laps before Frank.C passed me and then he went on to catch Ian.P. I held onto 4th position until the final lap when I miss read the shifts and let Gary.H and also P.Selway (Broxbourne) – both of whom had been harrying me – pass and thus I had a 6th place to discard.

Results: - 1st.Ian Bradley, 2nd. Frank Catt, 3rd. Ian Parish, 4th. Alan Simmons (and 1st Master), 5th. Gary Hogan, 6th. P Selway, 7th. M Wayland, 8th.Bill Strange, 9th. Geoff Town, 10th I.Nash, 11th. Primrose.Salt (and 1st Lady Helm), 12th. J. Wolsoncroft, 13th. A.Smith, 14th. N.Hayes.

A very pleasant sail, extremely hot, but perfectly organised by the club – for which my gratefull thanks. There were a few shouts on the water and Ian.B and Frank C had a near coming together at one of the marks in race one which resulted in Frank doing turns. I think it was the final race when I got a shift/gust near a mark, hit it and had to quickly turn around and there was one noticed capsize plus a reed job. Otherwise it seemed to be a well behaved fleet.
Now it is back to sea sailing for a week or so then off to Bosham and swishing tides. This is yet another new venue this year and for those who know it right next door to Cobnor.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker open at Ouse ASC 19/06/2010

2010-06-20T21:20:00.001+01:00

Bett and I with boat in tow left home at noon for the trip up the M25, M11, A14 and A10 to Saddlebow the home of Ouse ASC dinghy racing. There were road works on the M25 north of the Dartford tunnel and we crept along. We stopped for a short convenience break at the Services at Bishop Strortford which was packed to the gills and took us 20 minutes from the main road to a parking space. We finally arrived on site and began to set up camp to be joined in about ten minutes by Gary Hogan from Haversham and later in the evening by Ian Bradley from the home club (and now it’s Sailing Sec).

It was blowing old boots and cold with it so whilst those two went off for Fish and Chips in Kings Lynn Bett and I esconced ourselves in the club house with the Daily Telegraph and a good book. We hit the hay about 11.00pm and tried to sleep but the noise (wind on tent) was horrendous – even with my deaf ear uppermost – and we both had little sleep.

Saturday dawned grey and still very windy. Age does bring a small dose of wisdom – when it is wiser to stay ashore and watch the toughies, the chancers and the not too sures – so I waited to see if it would ease a bit after lunch. It did not so I never even entred the event.

Ian.B and Gary.H were joined on the water by Nick Lovell (also from Ouse ASC) for the first race of the event which was held jointly with the Supernova Class – of whom there were some 11 entrants.

I mention these fellows as there were quite a few upside down before the start and the rest were all a bit anxious to get things going - in their haste caused a general recall on their first aborted start. As a result when the Streaker start came on line, Nick was half way down the cut and still waiting for the Supernova start. Ian was the only one near the line and frantically waving to Nick who took no notice – he was too far away. Gary may well have been having second thoughts but he crossed the line to start the beat to the top mark near the sluice and then passed it on the wrong side.

Nick finally got going, by which time he was half a lap behind Ian. It did not help that he too went the wrong side of the mark but half way back to the start/finish line he saw the error of his ways, turned back and rounded correctly.

I am not sure if it was on the first or second lap that Ian.B pulled off an impressive capsize at the bottom gybe mark, turned turtle and even lost his mast head burgee. Nick saw this happening and could not believe his luck, not only catching up but even passing Ian to win the race.

The course must have been a nightmare to sail, not only crossing all the Supernovas – well those left not upside down or stuck in the reeds. The wind was good top end force four and huge gusts kept charging down the cut in all sorts of different angles. There were even white horses on the water most of the time.

After lunch, heroically served up by the ladies in the canteen initially without the gas cooker (who’s incoming gas supply pipe had been stolen) the wind – to my mind – was no less vigorous and Bett and I decided to call it a day. We saw the second start in which Ian was just ahead but to leeward of Nick just before we left. Ian tells me that Nick won this and the subsequent final race. Gary.H bravely also went afloat for these two afternoon races and started but regetably finished none during the day. His tenacity is to be praised, he is not exactly an experienced Streaker sailor – I wonder if he had second thoughts at the end of the day.

We should have gone, on Sunday, to Hunstanton. I am subsequently advised that (in line with the previous day’s forcast) it was blowing at least force five and there were heavy breakers on the beach and the meeting was abandoned before any one went afloat. I think I made the right decision to come home early – and not have to face another windy/noisy night in the tent.

I however went to Lancing and sailed in four races in a force 3 to 4 – a beautiful planning reach parallel with the beach in the first two races before lunch which I managed to win from a fleet largely composed of Lasers. After lunch I was beaten in both races by a Laser 4.7, in one on the water and could only get a 3rd and 4th spot.

Next Saturday it is off again, this time to Broxbourne, for the Streaker Southern Area Champs.

Alan.S 1700

2010 Streaker Nationals - Stewartby

2010-06-16T15:57:00.001+01:00

A three hour drive from Hove – should have been 2.5 but for the road works on then M1 and then again on the A 421 had a 40mph limit whilst they build the adjacent new high speed link to Bedford. It was raining when we left home – Sussex had more rain overnight Thursday/Friday than in April and May put together. By the time Bett and I got north of the Thames on the M25 the rain had ceased however and it was a straight forward run through. The lake at Stewartby is normally split in half for sailing and power boat/ski boat use but this weekend we had the use of the entire water area, plus plenty of room for the boats, cars and the tents/motor caravans.
On arrival we were not sure how many entrants there might be but it turned out that there would be 48 competitors. This is a pretty good turn out for a southerly event, with the greatest concentration of boats in the north – well north of Birmingham – but a decided lack of enthusiasm for travelling south – there was however at least one guy from Scotland however.
Day one (Friday 11th June) was listed as a training event and about a dozen boats took to the water with Ian Bradley – the departing Hon Sec – taking charge rather than Steve Cockerill who for his pains was nursing a broken hand from a recent Mountain bike accident.
I was busy measuring sails, mostly Pinnel and Bax brand – and even managed to measure Steve C’s boat and sail. Nobody asked me if there was a charge, well there wasn’t but I would hope that all those concerned (even if I did not mention it at the time) would make a small donation to the RNLI.
In the early evening we had the AGM which I will not go into except to repeat the fact that no one has been elected as Hon Sec following Ian Bradley now standing down. Details of that and the official reports (sailing too) will appear on the Streaker web site very shortly.
At the end of the day the bar was open – with the ‘Footie TV show’ for those interested and the canteen going great guns with a goodly choice of food available. For those camping the the glorious sunset belied the serious drop in temperature that was to follow leaving all shivering. Those who had chosen to slum it at the Holiday Inn or Travel Lodge were gloating Saturday morning!

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and with a nice little breeze – about force three – blowing from the north east – across the shortest span of the water. Three races were planned, one before lunch and then two back to back in the afternoon. Race one went off like clockwork, on time, with Tom Gillard leading almost from the gun off the somewhat congested start line. Surprise second boat – perhaps even to himself – was Michael Hines (from Deben) ahead of last year’s (and the year before) National Champ, Steve Cockerill.

Race two, after lunch, on an almost identical course started with a general recall and in the subsequent starting period a number of boats were disqualified for being in the prohibited area. Again it was Tom Gillard who had the speed and ability to extricate himself from the line and establish yet another unassailable lead. He was literally streets in front of the second placed Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) and third man Ian Jones (Dovestone) even before the finish.
Race three back to back with the previous saw Tom Gillard pull out ahead yet again. This time he led from Ian Jones and Chris Catt and finished with yet another considerable margin.
On this first day of the competiton proper my personal performance was not exactly outstanding with a 29th and two 22nd placings – still worse was yet to come – the breeze was constantly changing in pressure and direction and I always seemed to be on the wrong side of the breeze/course unable to accurately read the shifts.
Did you see (and hear) the Helicopter paying Stewartby a visit? Later in the day one of the occupants, Bett’s nephew (with wife and youngest daughter) come over to see us at the club.
Saturday evening we had a Hog Roast – the real hot pig – provided by outside professional caterers, luverly grub! This was followed by more Footie TV in the bar and music for dancing or listening in the main club room. As a final ‘treat’ we had a ‘Nursery Rhyme’ quiz in the bar.
Sunday dawned almost breathless and with a good shower of rain which made us all apprehensive as to the day’s sailing. Once afloat for the racing a little breeze did fill in but from about 180 degrees from Saturday’s but at under force 2.

Race 4 got underway with Tom Gillard showing yet again his dominance of the fleet and taking yet another top gun place with Ian Jones yet again in second and Chris Catt third. Steve Cockerill had his worst race of the weekend so far finishing 15th.
The last and final race, sailed back to back, commenced with another general recall. The strength did increase to about force 3 but it was very shifty and patchy in strength. Would you believe it Tom Gillard was out in front again in no time and it was the same duo – Ian Jones and Chris Catt who filled the next two spots. Steve Cockerill was fifth with his broken wrist obviously having its effect but all praise to him for attempting to defend his champion status.
So that was it for the racing, a splendid National Championship, all five planned races sailed, good courses, terrific organisation with trolley ‘dollies’ ( M & F), lovely food and drink (nice an inexpensive) good weather (bright and mostly sunny), loads of room for camping and parking. All at Stewartby Water Sports deserve a well earned vote of thanks for an excellent event. Even the wind was reasonable – well at an inland venue it is always going to be a bit more variable and most of the competitors were inland sailors anyway. Every one participating in the event seemed to thoroughly enjoy the weekend – especially Graham Butler who had recently purchased my previous boat 1567 and carried a grin of pleasure from ear to ear all the time.
I heard of only one rule infringement of any consequence during the racing when a Port tacker called for water, resulting in a few bumps the outgoing Hon Sec got pulled into that but presumably the offender's error was pointed out and he took his penalty – the were no protest meeting that I am aware of.
Congratulations go to Tom Gillard for an impeccable series with a pole positon result in every race and to the runner up, Ian Jones, never out of the top three and also to third overall placed Chris Catt for a similarly consistent set of results. My results were somewhat poorer and I just managed to scrape into 26th position overall, I had hoped to get into the top 20 or so.
A visit to the nationals gives one a chance to meet up with old friends who one sees at the various open meetings during the year – most of whom know me by name (and repute – infamous) but whom I just cannot recall their names. I apologise to any Streaker sailors I know by sight but fail to correctly address.
Next weekend there are two more consecutive days of sailing , at Ouse ASC (near Kings Lynn) and then at Hunstanton on the Wash and the weekend after that there is the Streaker Southerns at Broxbourne – if I can survive all that travelling.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings 3 – Weston SC - 17th April 2010

2010-04-19T10:56:00.002+01:00

A ‘local’ event for Bett and I this weekend, a mere 58 miles away, and it started off with bright sunshine, clear blue skies and just a zephyr of breeze. The meeting – a joint event with Supernovas, Lightnings and Streakers - was a late start, planned for 12 noon.
The Streaker event was proposed by Ian Morgan (sailmaker for Rooster sailing), a Weston club member, so I expected to have at least another Streaker to sail against and he said there were a couple of other Streakers at Weston. Just down the road there are a several other Streakers at Bosham and now one at Mengham Rythe, plus interest was shown by the Whitfields from Tamworth and Ian Bradley from Ouse.A.S.C , so I expected a goodly fleet.
As it turned out there were precisely two Streakers, myself and Gary Hogan from Haversham – he hails from Milton Keynes - Ian Morgan had decided to sail a Supernova!

A nice force 3 sea breeze eventually set in with a flat sea, the only waves created by the fast rescue boats and we sailed off for the starting area, to the north of the club up Southampton Water, for a trapezoidal course. First fleet away were the Supernovas (about 15 boats) and then the two Streakers with the Lightnings (six boats) following up in the rear. The plan was for three back to back races of approximately 45 minutes each – 3 or 4 laps.

In race one I was soon into the lead boat position, and pointing slightly higher than Gary, gradually began to pull away and hold my lead to the finish. The five minute start sequences ensured that there was no mixing of the fleets and the course size also helped maintain this situation for all three races.

For race 2 (and 3) the RO decided to start the Streakers and Lightnings at the same time. I got quite a good start and was soon in the lead of the mixed fleet whilst Gary got a bit stuffed at first. The breeze filled in a trifle higher for this race and I was able to plane for a few yards on the two reaching legs. Again I finished in front whilst Gary was stuck behind a pair of Lightnings.
In race 3 it was the previous race leading Lightning who was first off the line with myself close on his heels and it was not until the beat in lap two that I bested him and began to pull away and draw out into a goodly lead. Gary had to be satisfied with two Lightnings ahead of him at the finish.
At the ‘Prize giving’ I was obliged to appologise for the decided lack of support by the Streakers – for which I was truly embarrassed - but was assured that Weston would be willing to give us another event next year in spite of this poor attendance.

Results:-

1st. Alan Simmons (Lancing S C), 2nd Gary Hogan (Haversham).

Regretably I did not see Gary before I left for home and therefore take this opportunity to thank him for making the not inconsiderable effort to make it to Weston. To the rest of you, who indicated you might come, you missed an excellent/ideal set of racing conditions. I must blow my own trumpet by saying that I was sailing quite well for a change and would have welcomed far more competition. I just hope that the Nationals and then next Southern Paddle event will show a bit better support.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings – Tamworth 10th April 2010

2010-04-13T12:05:00.001+01:00

Another early start – 6.00am – from Hove and back up the same route as last week, well nearly. This time it was only 186 miles (each way) but it was a pleasant drive with not too much Commercial traffic and just the one comfort stop. The sun was out, the skies were blue but the breeze was not present. On arrival at Tamworth there was a small group of youngsters out trying to train but they all ended up paddling their boats back ashore after a few minutes, there was just nothing blowing.

By the time the racing of the joint Laser and Streaker fleets were due to start there was but a tiny whisper but as that kept changing direction through 180 degrees the starts were postponed. Finally both fleets got away on the original course with local sailer Paul Burgoine (Tamworth) taking the lead and Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) following with Debbie Degge (Bartley SC)behind him. At one point all the rest of the 12 strong fleet came together at the ‘Church’ mark with quite a bit of ‘light’ banging, barging. and calling which resulted in Matt Whitfield (Tamworth) pulling out ahead of the rest into 5th place behind John Burgoine (Tamworth). I also managed to extricate myself and finished 6th in that race.

Race two, after a lunch break started in not much more breeze than the first however Ian.B managed to find enough to put him into a commanding lead by the first mark. Deddie.D was in close attendance but Paul.B had to make do with 3rd spot. John .B was consistant in 4th position and Matt.W was again 5th. This time I dropped down a place to 7th.

Race 3, after another short shore break, started in similar conditions to the first two except that the direction had change by at least 90 degrees so we were off to ‘Church’ on the first leg. Debbie.D got there first but was swiftly overtaken by Paul.B. These two opened up a goodly lead from the pack and were not challenged. Ian.B, John.B, myself and Matt.W were all in a tight group until the leg before the final beat. Ian and John had a bit of a luffing match and I followed their direction – the wrong one of course – only to see Matt go the right way and take 3rd positon. Ian managed to hold off John but I could not seem to find the right shifts – of which there were many and significant one throughout the day – so ended up 6th once more.

The overall winner was Paul Burgoine with Ian Bradley second and Debbie Degge third. Matt Whifield took 4th spot on equal points, but with a better last race finshing postion, with John Burgione and I ended up in my usual mid fleet position at 6th.

Ian Whitfield (Tamworth) did not find the conditions at all to his liking and failed to keep up with his son Matt in any of the three races finshing 9th overall. Likewise Ann Burgoine had to settle for 8th place behind the rest of her family.

For details – the official event report – go to http://www.intersail.co.uk/news/?article=151200 (Yachts and Yachting) or the Streaker web site.

I knew I would be in trouble after two weekends sitting crouched in the boat for nearly 3 hours (Tamworth) and 2 hours (Greensforge) even after a b…… good blow back at Lancing. Sure enough the muscles at the top, front, of my legs caused me agony on Monday morning. I had to come down the stairs, from our loft bedroom, sideways to ease the pain.

At Lancing , sailing in the ‘Medium’ fleet against Lasers – full rig, Radials and 4.7s – the legs got stretched in the top end force 4 of the first race on Sunday. I did manage to gain a second spot with only one Laser ahead of me but in the second race I managed to get stuck in irons seconds before the start leaving me to be last to get going and then subsequently capsized after a gybe mid way through the race, only to finish 5th out of the 9 starters, in which the wind got up to about force 6 by the finish. All that still did not prevent the leg pain, refered to above, the next day.

Next Saturday it is off to Weston, on Southampton water, a new Southern area venue. I wonder what the wind will be this time – please can I have a nice force 3!

Alan.S 1700

2010 Season Streaker Open Meetings - Greensforge April 3rd.

2010-04-05T18:24:00.001+01:00

The Streaker Southern Area Open Meeting Season began with a trip to Greensforge, north of Birmingham which required getting up at 5am, leaving home at 6am and finally arriving at the club after a 3.3/4 hour drive – including a couple of comfort stops.
Calf Heath reservoir is a small lake with trees on three sides and the breezes are either light and fickle or strong and gusty. Sunday was the former and regrettably the fleet was conspicuous by its lack of numbers, there being only five boats, two from the club and three visitors.
For the first race there was a little breeze (force 1-2) and Ian Bradley (Ouse A S C) led off the line to the first mark near the clubhouse and slowly began to pull away from the rest. It was here that the second boat, helmed by Peter Baker (Greensforge) firstly tried to round it on the wrong side – taking Alan Simmons (Lancing) with him – and then hit it. Alan untangled himself, rounded correctly and set off in pursuit of Ian.
The breeze eased off and became very fickle in strength and direction which saw Gary Hogan (Haversham) catch and pass Alan although not for long before the positions were reversed again.
Sam Frost-Huskinson (Greensforge- youth sailor) was having his first sail in a Streaker but not enjoying the conditions and sadly bringing up the rear.
Ian.B was the runaway winner of race 1 and started race two, after the lunch break, in front place again. Alan.S found a breezeless hole at the start and was left floundering, he did manage to get into third spot but far too far behind Gary.H to make any impression and as the breeze died away to almost nothing was lapped by Ian. B.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the RO decided to shorten the course and call all ashore. Regretably the breeze then disappeared completely and it was concluded that no further racing was possible.
Having had a short rain shower on the way up, via the M23,M25,M40, M42 and M6, it seemed to rain all the way back home although the sun had shone throughout the sailing bit.

Results:-
1st.Ian Bradley, 2nd. Gary Hogan, 3rd. Alan Simmons, 4th, Peter Baker, 5th Sam Frost-Huskisson.

There is a full (official) report on the Greensforge web site ( http://www.greensforge.org/) including Pictures and some video clips, no pics here - Bett forgot to take her Camera!
Alan.S 1700