Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Races 3 & 4 - 09/11/2014

After Saturday’s almost continuous rain and strong wind it was a very pleasant surprise to awake on Sunday Morning to bright clear and sunny blue skies. The lack of breeze at Hove was slightly worrying although the Wind Finder and Windguru forecasts for Seaford indicated 8 to 9 knots by 10.00 am.

On arrival at Piddinghoe the pond was found to be like glass with not even a tiny ripple. With the boat rigged it was still difficult to find a whisper although the breeze was forecast to be from the north west and that was the way the boat was pointed to hoist the sail.

More in hope than anger the RO, Charles Humphries, sought out the more experienced helms for aid in setting a viable course. Finally it was decided to set a basic, simple but short, rounding – no loops/ sausages to be included.

Being Remembrance Sunday all competitors were asked to stay ashore until after the two minutes silence had been held, and to congregate near the main flagpole on the south shore at 11.00 am.
At 11.15am Race 3 of the series was set to go with a reaching/running start, from close to the clubhouse on the south west shore thence off towards the Fisherman’s bay before turning eastwards to a mark midway along the east shore. From there it was to be east of the Island, not to the corner mark, but one laid a little further west for the final beat up to the mark in the south west corner just off the clubhouse.

Some 16 boats took to the water and at the start gun it was Laurence Venus (Streaker) who led off the middle of the line. A touch to windward the second boat away was Alan Simmons (also in a Streaker) with Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS200) next up and the rest of the fleet in a very tight bunch just above the mark at the end of the line. By the Fisherman’s bay mark Alan was inside Laurence and rounded ahead and led him past the Island. Several of the rest of the pursuing fleet found the ‘pudding’ even though they thought they had cleared the Island – its remnants still lie hidden under water some distance to the south. At the next mark Alan tacked, as he thought, towards the middle of the pond for more breeze whilst Laurence held on to close with the south shore. He found the breeze first as Alan tacked back towards the shore only to see Laurence steaming away. To add to the insult Rupert Smith and Chris Turner (Vago), having caught up behind the Island by using their Gennaker also caught up with Alan as did Graham Hardy (Laser full rig) – the Streaker and Vago finishing the first lap simultaneously. Next to cross the line, after Graham was Michael in the RS 200, then Tiger Cox (Laser full rig) followed by Julian Dobson (Laser full rig).

Apart from Laurence, who seemed un-phased by the fickle shifting breeze and continued to pull away, the rest of the front of the fleet continuously changed with Michael up to second place in the second lap, Alan having dropped back to 9^th? (according to the lap sheet). Rupert still held 3^rd place and Graham 4^th whilst John Nash (Laser full rig) had climbed to 5^th from his previous 8^th place, as Julian.D climbed up to 6^th and Tiger dropped back one position to 7^th. Darren Field and Louise Currell (RS200) also pulled up from 11^th to 8^th. Whilst between the Island and the mark denoting the start of the windward leg Jamie Smith (Laser 4.7) had a coming together with Darren which resulted him capsizing – in no wind!

In the third and final lap position changes were still the name of the game – except for Laurence who continued to pull away from the rest of the fleet. Darren jumped up the score board to finish some two and a half minutes behind but in second place on the water ¾ minutes in front of Alan who had also climbed back up the fleet to 3rd. Michael dropped down to 4^th Having been passed by these two and with Julian also climbing up and Graham dropping back a place.

With the handicaps applied Laurence was the winner with Alan second and Darren third. Julian.D took fourth place, Graham fifth and Tiger sixth.

R3

11	Vago	808	NSSC	Rupert Smith	Chris Turner	1064	38.10	0.07.53	10.0
12	Laser Radial	142208	NSSC	David Murley		1122	43.30	0.11.34	11.0
Rank	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1146	32.37	0.00.00	1.0
2	Streaker	1700	Lancing	Alan Simmons		1146	35.49	0.03.12	2.0
3	Laser		NSSC	Jo Whitehead		1088	OOD		3.0
3	RS 200	285	NSSC	Darren Field	Lousie Currel	1051	35.00	0.05.05	3.0
5	Laser	7	NSSC	Julian Dobson		1088	36.51	0.05.53	4.0
6	Laser	163443	NSSC	Graham Hardy		1088	37.10	0.06.12	5.0
7	Laser	5	NSSC	Tiger Cox		1088	37.12	0.06.14	6.0
8	Laser	136424	NSSC	John Nash		1088	37.15	0.06.17	7.0
9	Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1088	37.30	0.06.32	8.0
10	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1051	36.37	0.06.42	9.0
13	Laser	30678	NSSC	Terry Jones		1088	30.48	0.10.09	12.0
14	Topper		NSSC	Jasper Thorp		1322	40.12	0.15.07	13.0
15	Laser Fun	7729	NSSC	Julian Stephens	Paul Vincent	1055	33.1	0.13.00	14.0
16	Laser 4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith		1185	53.20	0.30.51	15.0
17	Laser	207509	NSSC	Alex Mills-Barton		1088	DNS		17.0
18	Pico	No No	NSSC	Charlie Rigg		1335	DSQ		27.0

  

Race 4 Commenced at 12.20 after awaiting the finishes of Charlie Rigg(Peco), David Murley (Laser Radial, and Jamie Smith.

The same course was used and it was Terry Jones (Laser full rig) who shot out in front from the middle of the line with Julian.D down to leeward and Jasper Thorp (Topper) third away. Alan was nearer the west bank with little breeze and Laurence, to windward of a substantial bunch near the far end of the line, caught the puff first. Very quickly Laurence began to pull up and although Terry was first to round the Fisherman’s bay mark Laurence was soon in the lead. Alan seemed to have four or five boats ahead of him at this mark but began to pick up places when he sailed close behind the Island – with plate half up and then got the inside at the mark beginning the first beat. Just before they got behind the Island Rupert and Chris had a catastrophe when he overbalanced and the Vago capsized. At the end of the lap the order was Laurence, Julian.D, Alan, Darren, Terry and Michael.

By the end of the second lap Laurence was still ahead and the next four positions remained unchanged. John still held 7^th place but Tiger had overtaken Rupert to lie 8^th and Graham had passed Bill Wates (Laser full rig) , David and Juilan Stephens (Laser Fun) to lie 10^th. Jasper was unchanged at 14^th
Lap 3 saw Laurence continuing to romp out in front – a lead of two and a half minute at the line. Alan was still challenging Julian for second place but not quite able to pass him yet although just one second behind at the end of the lap. Meanwhile Terry dropped back to 7^th having been overtaken by both Michael and John. Graham also pulled back from 10^th to 8^th taking the scalps of Rupert and Tiger on the way. David also gained a place to lie 11^th having overtaken Bill Wates (Laser full rig)
So to the final lap, lap 4, and there was no challenging Laurence’s substantial lead as Alan finally got past Julian.D but with both Darren and then Michael closing in on him to take 4^th and fifth positions at the line
With the handicaps applied it was another Streaker one, two finish with Julian.D 3^rd, Darren 4^th and Michael fifth.

R4

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1146	32.50	0.00.00	1.0
2	Streaker	1700	Lancing	Alan Simmons		1146	35.50	0.03.00	2.0
3	Laser		NSSC	Jo Whitehead		1088	OOD		3.0
3	Laser	7	NSSC	Julian Dobson		1088	36.35	0.05.25	3.0
5	RS 200	285	NSSC	Darren Field	Lousie Currel	1051	36.54	0.06.47	4.0
6	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1051	39.50	0.09.43	5.0
7	Laser	136424	NSSC	John Nash		1088	33.1	0.09.38	6.0
8	Laser	30678	NSSC	Terry Jones		1088	33.20	0.09.57	7.0
9	Laser	163443	NSSC	Graham Hardy		1088	33.22	0.09.59	8.0
10	Laser Radial	142208	NSSC	David Murley		1122	34.29	0.10.22	9.0
11	Laser	5	NSSC	Tiger Cox		1088	33.30	0.10.07	10.0
12	Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1088	34.38	0.11.15	11.0
13	Vago	808	NSSC	Rupert Smith	Chris Turner	1064	34.02	0.11.10	12.0
14	Laser Fun	7729	NSSC	Julian Stephens	Paul Vincent	1055	38.05	0.15.25	13.0
15	Topper		NSSC	Jasper Thorp		1322	32.24	0.13.28	14.0
16	Pico	No No	NSSC	Charlie Rigg		1335	39.45	0.20.38	15.0
17	Laser 4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith		1185	DSQ		27.0

With the breeze not exceeding force 1 all morning and with big holes and shifts to contend with it was a difficult day's sailing - except for Laurence who seemed to revel in it - but was overall a pleasant sail, especially compared with the near horrendous winds of last Sunday (2nd Nov)

 

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg races 1 & 2 - 02/11/2014

It was blowing a gale - so said the Shoreham beach weather station - before we left home for Piddinghoe this morning for the first race(s) of the 2014 Freeman Iceberg Series. On arrival at the pond it was still blowing hard - top end force 4 with gusts in the force six region. It was not appealing to yours truly so having 'unpacked' and fixed the mast in position it was a case of finding a suitable place to berth the boat, put the cover on and tie it down very firmly.
There was a bit of activity in the dinghy berth area with Michael Veale (RS 200)  just about to go afloat, a threesome of Toppers and a few Lasers getting ready. The signing on sheet had twelve names on it including Alex Mills-Barton (full rig Laser), the NSSC's Olympic hopeful.
Eventually some nine boats went afloat on the RO's defined course. With the start line just north of the clubhouse and a short beat to the mark in the south west corner followed by a broad reach to the south east corner. After a gybe the next leg, behind the Island, was another hairy reach to a mark midway along the east side of the pond and then a beat back to a mark in the middle. Following that there was another very broad reach/run to the  Fisherman's bay area and a final beat back to the start line.

The start at 1100 hours was rather ragged with only a couple of boats near the line and moving very gingerly in the huge gusts that came through. First away were Michael and Mike in the RS200, to windward of Jo West (Pico), with John Nash (Laser full rig) behind her and Tim Cox (Laser Radial) just astern of them. By the time they sorted themselves out it was Jo who led down the first broad reach. Alex however was still on his way to the start line. By the time the leaders reached the first gybe Tim was out in front , followed by Jo and then Michael and Mike. Unfortunately Tim had failed to read the course board correctly and passed the middle east side mark heading on to the Fisherman's bay mark. The two Mikes suffered the first of their several capsizes along that second reach (using their Gennaker as on all the off-wind legs) as did John. Eddie Lansley (Laser Radial) who had been on of the late starters was now up to second place along that bottom reach  with Alex beginning to catch up too.

The third reach, from the mark in the middle of the pond to the one off the fisherman's bay led to more capsizes, Tim being one. By the end of the lap Alex was out in front, Edddie second, John third, Jo fourth and Tim fifth ahead of Michael and Mike. Jasper Thorp (Topper) held seventh ahead of Paul Langford (Topper) and Bill Hudson (Topper), Charlie Rigg (Topper) being nowhere to be seen.
By the end of the second lap the capsizes came thick and fast with Alex out ahead , then Eddie as Tim clawed back to third ahead of Michael and Mike. Jo had a very lengthy spell out of her Pico and in the oggin with Jasper and Bill not making it round the course.

Lap 4 saw no change in Alex's lead and Eddie and Tim were still second and third followed by Michael and Paul who had also had some swimming practice. The order was unchanged for the fourth lap by which time Jo and Paul had finished - it being an 'average lap time' series. Only Alex was left to complete the fifth lap, the results after handicaps had been applied, was a win for Alex, with Eddie second, Tim third, Michael fourth, Paul  fifth and Jo sixth.

Race 2 started at noon with just four entrants and of those it was Paul, having lost the outhaul fastening of his sail,  who failed to make the start. On an identical course, it was Michael who led off the line having squeezed Alex out at the windward end of the line, contacting him and pushing him into the mark. Alex was thus forced to do several turns although it did not slow him down for long. Second away, and the only other starter was Eddie. The gusts seem to have reduced a little in strength and frequency although there was more than enough breeze to get the boats up on the plane. This was still especially so on the reach up the east side.
By the end of the first lap Alex was in front of Michael with Eddie lying third and this order remained unchanged throughout all five laps sailed - well four for Eddie. After applying the handicaps Alex was the clear winner but Eddie took second place in front of Michael.
It had been a very breezy sail with  Alex the only sailor  not to take a dip - close on a couple of occasions - but all had had to work very hard. Holding the second race was a bit in doubt at first and took some by surprise.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Mengeham Rythe - 13.09.2014

We left home just after 9.00 am with the radio warning of delays for the Goodwood Revival meeting on the route – for which there was really no alternative – and sure enough we got locked into a slow moving queue several miles from the turn off. On the road side was a prominent notice – ‘Do not use you GPS if going to Goodwood’. The hold-up added at least 30 minutes to the journey time but as the briefing was not until 12 noon we were still in plenty of time. It took a good 20 minutes to sail down the rythe to the main area for Chichester harbour but once close to where the Committee boat was moored there was another delay – about as long – whilst the course was laid. The meeting was a joint affair with 5 Streakers and 25 Solos on the water in a reasonable force 3 to 4 breeze from the east, sunny and warm with intermittent dark cloud cover.

The Solo fleet started first, and the Streakers some 5 minutes behind, on an Olympic style course of Triangle and Sausage. The Streaker ‘fleet’ was closely bunched but with Graham Butler (Frensham Pond) first away and just ahead of Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad). These two soon established a, close fought, gap ahead of Alan Simmons (Lancing), Penny Dormer and Frank Fern (both from the home club). The course did not require boats to go through a gate on each windward leg so individual lap positions were not recorded. At the commencement (Leeward Mark) sound signals were made indicating a ‘new’ windward mark and Alan mistook this for a finishing signal consequently stopping for a drink and a bite to eat. This was rather costly as both Penny and Frank passed him and by the time he realised his error they were streets ahead and were not far off the lead pair. At the gun (real one) it was Veronica just ahead of Graham then Penny and Frank with Alan in last place.

Although the races were programmed to be ‘back to back’ there was yet another delay whilst the course was adjusted as the wind failed to settle down and had shifted by about 90 degrees. Finally race 2 started with Graham again first away hotly pursued by Veronica and then Penny. Halfway up the first beat Veronica and Graham, still in very close contact, tacked off to port whilst Penny, Alan and Frank held on for a while and benefitted from a large wind shift. They closed up on the leading pair, Veronica by now just in front of Graham but with Alan at the head of the other three boats. At the finish Veronica was yet again the leader with Graham second and Alan third. Penny came home 4th with Frank 5th.
Before race 3 the course was re-set yet again as the tide had also by then started to ebb. At the gun it was Alan who was first away but was very soon overtaken by the other four boats. At the front it was Veronica who held on ahead of Graham after a series of place changes and Frank who found great speed which took him to third place in ahead of Penny and lastly Alan.

With three pips it was Veronica who took the meeting first prize with Graham Second and Frank third. By the time the Streakers were back ashore it was close to 5.00pm. A very long, close fought and enjoyable day on the water for all five helms.

Results:-

Posn	Helm	Club	Sail No	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	points
1	Veronica Falat	W & OB	1829	(1)	1	1	2
2	Graham Butler	Frensham	1760	(2)	2	2	4
3	Frank Fern	MRSC	1705	4	(5)	3	7
4	Penny Dormer	MRSC	1666	3	(4)	4	7
5	Alan Simmons	Lancing	1700	(5)	3	5	8

 

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Broxbourne SC - 07.09.2104

Bright blue, clear skies – no wind – as we left home at the reasonable hour of 7.30 am for the journey to Broxbourne SC at Nazeing in the Lea Valley north of London. Apart from the roadworks at Handcross (due for completion at the end of October ?) and then another lot on the M25 the far side of the Dartford Crossing. It was a smooth ride with arrival at about 9.30 am. A very light shower was falling just before we arrived at the club but there was no more wind apparent  and the forecast was for a maximum of 6 knots – which occurred for about two minutes during the day, then at Lunch time!

This was a joint Open meeting with some dozen Lasers and as it turned out eight Streakers, three from the home club and the rest visitors.
After a postponement by the RO, for a touch of breeze to set in, the Lasers were set off five minutes before the Streakers on an ‘X’ shaped course with the windward mark towards the North West corner of the main water body – the other ‘Box’ was omitted for all races – thence south westerly to number one mark (very close reach). The next leg was a broad reach to a mark adjacent to the ‘Box’ and after a gybe a broad reach back to a mark close to the southern corner with a short windward leg to finish back at the committee boat line.

The Streakers were the second fleet away, after the Laser start and Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC), having spotted the potential at the port hand end  (and port tack) just nudged over the line ahead of Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) who in turn was just to windward and ahead of Veronica Falat (Waveney and Oulton Broad SC). The rest of the fleet started close by the committee boat and had some catching up to do by the time these three reached the windward mark. Ian began to stretch his lead ahead of Alan who in turn pulled away from Veronica. By the end of the first lap both Roger Platt (Draycote) and Bill Strange (Stewartby) had  passed Veronica. Jane Hill (Broxbourne was in 6^th place, Geoff Town (Broxbourne) was 7^th and Richard Dean (Broxbourne) was 8^th.

In lap 2 Ian retained his lead but Alan had caught up a bit and Bill was closing on him, having caught and passed Roger. Veronica still languished in fifth place. By the end of the lap Ian was still top dog and although Bill almost caught up with Alan it was the latter who took second place after getting a clear inside berth at the final mark by the clubhouse.

After the lunch break the second race was also postponed whilst the RO adjusted the marks for a similar ‘X’ type course. Not only was the little breeze up and down in strength but also in direction. At the start the port hand end was favoured once again and Ian was off like a shot. Veronica, who had changed sails to her old Dacron version from the Mylar one used for the first race, was away in front of Roger who in turn was ahead of Alan. There was little place changing in the first lap, mostly occurring at the windward and little 'Box' areas where the little breeze on the rest of the course seemed to fade away to nothing and hitting the mark was distinct possibility it taken too close. The front of the fleet was also catching up with the tail end Lasers adding more hazards!. Lap 2 was more of the same with Ian just out in front and Bill passing Alan to relegate him to 5^th. Once more it was the penultimate leg and mark rounding which allowed Alan to squeeze through thos in front of him to take a second 2^nd place finish with Bill third again Roger 4^th and Veronica 5^th. Jane, Geoff and Richard kept their relative places from the first lap at 6^th,7th and 8^th.

Race three, programmed to be back to back with race two was again postponed for about fifteen minutes. The breeze kept dying and altering its angle of ‘attack’ but finally the fleet was off with Ian again snapping into the lead from the port hand end. Veronica came home at the end of the lap in second place ahead of Bill whilst Alan found himself unable to improve from fourth with Jane not far behind. Geoff held 6^th whilst Roger stayed firmly in 7^th place  and Richard last.

In lap 2 Ian did not have it all his way however as Jane, staying well on the starboard side of the leg, got a massive lift and rounded well and truly in second place. Bill was next to round and Alan was fourth. Once more the shifty conditions did not help as Alan was also passed by Veronica who had lost ground  to fourth and sailed the last broad reach alongside him only to take the inside berth at the mark near the small ‘Box’. Finally there was another curfuffle at the last mark allowing Alan to regain a place to finish fourth.

With the discards applied (and positions in the final race applied) the overall winner was Ian Bradley with Alan Simmons second, Bill Strange third and Veronica Falat fourth. It had been a trying day for all, from the RO downwards, but it had been rain free and largely bright and sunny, the breeze however did not match up to the forecast.

Results:-

Sail	Helm	Club	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Posn
1817	Ian Bradley	Ouse ASC	1	1	(1)	1
1700	Alan Simmons	Lancing SC	2	2	(4)	2
1791	Bill Strange	Stewartby SC	3	(3)	2	3
1829	Veronica Falat	WOBYC	5	(5)	3	3
1867	Roger Pratt	Draycote SC	4	4	(6)	5
1691	Jane Hill	Broxbourne	6	(6)	5	6
1634	Geoff Town	Broxbourne	7	7	(7)	7
1607	Richard Dean	Broxbourne	8	8	(8)	8

Alan.S 1700