Elford Num Bum Race 4 - 23/01/2010

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