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

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.