Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 15 - 23/02/2014

Grey broken clouds with tiny patches of blue sky peeking through and the odd flash of Sunshine was the order of the day as we set off to Piddinghoe for the final race (Race 15) of the Numbum series. There was a very fresh breeze blowing from the south west as we arrived. The strongest recorded on his hand held anemometer (which wethink reads rather low) was 18 knots (top end of force 5) and it did not look too inviting to Alan Simmons (Streaker). A very quick decision was made – do not even think about sailing and pack up the boat to travel home - and that is what he did.

Roger McCall (Laser full rig) soon arrived and decided it was not for him either. There were a couple of further entries on the signing on form but which were then erased.
Laurence Venus (Streaker) had elected to act as RO – he was to compile the race and series results – and was assisted by Rupert Smith (Byte CII) and Roger on the safety boat. A course was laid with a simple rounding of the pond, outside all the marks which meant just one gybe to be completed each lap. Before the start sequence commenced ten boats launched – several capsized, including Jamie Smith (Topper) who very quickly also inverted and got the top of his mast stuck in the mud, leaving nine boats to start.

At the gun Jazz Sayed (Laser 4.7) was first away on the short beat to the mark off the clubhouse. Next up, but several lengths behind, were Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS200). Next away were John Smith (Laser Radial), Zoe McCaig (Laser Radial), Bea Cameron (Topper) and Dave Murley (Pico). In the rear at this point were Bill Wates (Laser full rig), Colin Cryer (Otter, single sail - reefed) and Charlie Rigg (Topper, reefed).

Jazz and the two Michaels survived the long broad reach down the southern side but the RS200 up-ended following the gybe in the south east corner whilst Jazz charged on along the following closer reach. There were a few more capsizes at this mark, Zoe, John, and Bill – at one point there were four upturned boats entertaining the fisherman on the nearby bank. The safety boat crew certainly earned their hot coffees.

The order at the end of the first lap was Jazz, in top spot, with the RS already 2.25 minutes behind, Bill in third, John fourth, David fifth and Bea sixth. Colin and Charlie did not feature in the end of lap chart either by not correctly rounding the course or calling it a day before doing so.

Lap two saw Jazz maintain a lead of ¾ of a lap ahead of the RS. She did not avoid capsizing but was able to get up and going again very quickly. She was fine off wind and gybed excellently but was almost totally overpowered in the huge gusts going to windward. Bill continued to have the odd break from sailing by going for a swim and was five minutes behind the RS at the end of this lap. Likewise John did a fair bit of bottom of pond surveying and became disorientated and failed to complete the course. Dave also capsized but overall maintained his 7 minute lap time being fourth to cross the line. Zoe fell in yet again for a fourth time and having discovered that she had not properly done up her dry suit, decided that enough was enough and headed for shore.

Lap 3 saw just four boats still racing with Jazz still in front by some 2 minutes from the RS200. Bill continued his swimming practice crossing the line nearly 7 minutes behind the RS and Dave a further 3 minutes behind Bill, the remainder having withdrawn at the end of lap 2, Bea being towed back in by Rupert and Roger after four capsizes – that she could recall.

Lap 4, and then there were three, Jazz still in front and the two Michaels still two and a bit minutes adrift. Bill finally crossed some 11 minutes astern of the RS to end his race for the day. He said that he was not really sure of the times he had capsized but reckoned three per lap – total a round dozen.

The final Lap, lap 5 was sailed by Jazz and the RS with Jazz finishing nearly four minutes in front and with a capsize figure of four for the race, the same rate as the RS owned up to.

Jazz had sailed a blinding race in these conditions and was duly declared the winner. The RS had been pushing its luck with the use of their Gennaker on the off wind legs and swam for their pains but still hoisted it again for another blast after the race was over. Dave, who owned up to a single swim was third placed ahead the only other finisher Bill. Almost certainly all those who went afloat enjoyed themselves and were just about exhausted once they had finished – and probably went home and crashed out!

Results:-                  R15

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1		Laser 4.7	206330	NSSC	Jasmin Sayed	c	1180	26.50	0.00.00	1.0
2	Hot Toddy	RS 200	582	NSSC	Micheal Veale	Mike Rosier	1053	30.47	0.06.50	2.0
3	Mistyblue	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1148	OOD		3.0
3		Laser	191067	Pevensey SC	Roger McCall		1087	OOD		3.0
3		Pico 2	2072	NSSC	David Murley		1332	27.05	0.08.55	3.0
3		Byte CII	2941	NSSC	Rupert Smith		1146	OOD		3.0
7		Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1087	35.54	0.16.08	4.0
8		Laser Radial	177611	NSSC	John Smith		1117	DNF		10.0
8		Laser Radial	64200	NSSC	Zoe McCaig		1117	DNF		10.0
8		Topper	7	NSSC	Bea Cameron	c	1313	DNF		10.0
8		Topper	4	NSSC	Jamie Smith	c	1313	DNS		10.0
8		Otter	981	NSSC	Colin Cryer		1385	DNF		10.0
8		Topper	11	NSSC	Charlie Rigg	c	1313	DNF		10.0

This being the last race in the series Laurence then worked out the places for the Elford Numbum event.

 At the prizegiving the winner was Laurence himself – even if Alan and Roger had sailed in that last race they could not have caught him.  Alan was second placed – on equal points with Roger but having beaten him in race 14. Michael Veale and Mike Rosier were 4^th, Dave  Murley 5^th, Darren Field and Louise Cullen 6^th, Bill Wates 7^th,  Jazz Sayed 8^th, John Smith 9^th and Zoe McCaig 10^th. The best placed cadet was Jazz, Bea Cameron 2^nd and Jamie Smith 3^rd.

 A Tankard was presented to Nobby, from the galley, for his splendid work providing hot drinks and Bacon Rolls.

The series had all types of weather, almost flat calms, bruising hard blows and the in-betweens. Only two races were lost however (Races 11 & 12) when it was blowing old boots and although three boats went on the water they were not there all at the same time.

The next event on the Calendar is the Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace next Saturday and Sunday. After that it will be work parties, in part to clear the damage caused in the recent storms and then it will be almost time for the start on the main 2014 sailing season.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Races 13 & 14 - 16/02/2014

Clear Blue Sky, not a cloud in sight, a rustle of breeze and in the sunshine it was even warm dare I say as we left Hove for Piddinghoe, arriving in identical conditions. What a change from the last few days of storm force winds, pouring rain and, at Seaford, Brighton and other parts of the Sussex coast, enormous seas.

Michael Veale and Mike Rosier were RO and AOD for the day’s races and set a ‘W’ shaped course with the start line midway along the southern shore with a beat to the mark in the South West corner, just off the clubhouse followed by a broad reach to the mark off the Fisherman’s bay. After a gybe the next leg was a very close reach, nearly a beat, to the start mark with another gybe and run to the mark midway along the east side. Yet another gybe and a close reach behind the Island led to a mark in the South east corner and a beat back through the start (and Finish) line and back to the clubhouse mark.

Thirteen boats came to the line with Bea Cameron and Jamie Smith both sailing Toppers and Steve and Penelope Duncan back out on their Fireball. At the start it was Laurence Venus (Streaker) leading a small group comprising Alan Simmons (Streaker), Roger McCall (Laser full rig) and Zoe McCaig (Laser Radial) at the shore end of the line, who was first away. Towards the Pin end, John Smith (Laser Radial) and Steve were first to cross the line at that end.
Laurence was first to round the windward mark followed by Roger and then Alan and then Jazz Sayed (Laser 4.7) not too far behind.  With John Smith (Laser Radial) next up and followed closely by Zoe.  Laurence managed to catch the Start mark mooring warp with his rudder and pulled the mark onto his hull. Whilst he was doing his turn Roger briefly took the lead with Alan also picking up a place only to lose it again as Laurence passed him on the running leg. He, Laurence, caught up and passed Roger to go back in front up the subsequent beat. By the end of the first lap Laurence was just ahead  of Roger by 3  second with Alan some 30 seconds adrift of Roger. Jazz was lying 4^th in front of John, by five seconds, and then Zoe eight seconds further back with Steve behind her. Next up was Bill Wates (Laser full rig) with Chas Humphries (Laser full rig), then Dave Murley (Pico), Colin Cryer (Otter), Bea and lastly Jamie.

Lap two saw Laurence still out in front and extending his lead to lie 22 seconds in front of Roger with Alan a further 15 seconds behind .with Steve pulling back to lie third having gained 3 places. Zoe was lying 5^th having overtaken John, who dropped back three. Bill was up to 6^th behind Zoe having passed Jon and Jazz whilst Chas remained 9^th ahead of Colin, Bea and Jamie.
In lap 3 Alan briefly passed Roger at the gybe at Fisherman’s bay only to drop back on the ensuing close reach whilst Laurence increased his lead and Steve, even with the use of his Spinnaker, slipped back behind Alan by a further 7 seconds. Bill overtook Zoe to lie 5^th but Chas passed both Jazz and John.
By the end of the fourth lap Laurence was almost a minute ahead of second placed Roger with Alan half a minute behind him and 6^th behind Bill with Steve still fourth but falling back. Chas passed Zoe to lie 6^th. The order in the rear pack remained unchanged both Bea and Jamie having finished in their third lap.
Laurence crossed the line an impressive two minutes ahead of Roger, having found all the right shifts up the beat and with impressive off wind speed. Alan came home a minute and a quarter behind Roger with Steve still fourth but having dropped back to be 58 seconds adrift of Alan.
With the handicaps applied Laurence was the clear winner with Alan second, Roger third and Jazz fourth. Fifth place went to Bill and Zoe tied with John.

Race 14, starting at 12.05 over the same course, was held in slight increase wind, now just about up to force 3.Once again a small group led across the line from the shore end with Laurence leading Steve, Roger and Alan up the first beat but it was Steve who led round the windward mark and holding in second place for the lap. Roger was lying third with Alan behind him. Zoe was lying fifth ahead of John, then Bill and then Chas. Jazz was next in ninth whilst Dave and Bea crossed the line simultaneously with Jamie leading Colin.

By the end of the second lap Laurence had overtaken Steve but Roger was still ahead of fourth placed Alan. Bill also passed John to lie sixth and Chas had climbed up behind Bill. Jazz came next in front of Dave, Bea and Colin, Jamie having dropped back a position.
Lap 3 saw Laurence still out ahead but both Roger and Alan passed Steve with Alan gaining some eighteen seconds advantage. Zoe stayed in front of Bill whilst the remainder stayed in the same order.

Lap 4 Saw Laurence losing some of his lead over both Roger, to just 10 seconds, and Alan, whilst Steve overtook Alan to lead him by four seconds. The staus quo held in the rest of the fleet with Zoe maintain her fifth place.
The final, fifth lap was a fight to the finish with Laurence crossing the line just two seconds in front of Roger and Alan retaking third place 27 seconds behind Roger but fifty seconds ahead of Steve. Zoe was fifth and Chas overtook Bill to enjoy sixth place with John bringing up the tail 8^th, Jazz and Dave having finished at the end of their fourth lap.
After applying the handicap, Laurence was the winner, with Alan second, Roger third – as in the previous race - and Zoe fourth (her best ever result, at which she jumped and screamed for joy).

It was a beautiful day with adequate, if shifty, breeze. Blue skies and warm enough to raise sweat in all, whether they were wearing Wet or Dry suits. Much enjoyed after recent weather events. Next Sunday sees the final race of the series, with Laurence as RO, who is the outright winner of the Elford Numbum Trophy thanks to his two bullets today. Alan and Roger are both in contention for second place overall with just two points separating them so all is down to that final race – watch this space. Thanks go to Bett, my wife, and her exploits with her Nikon (42x Zoom) camera for the shots include in all my blogs – come rain or shine. She tries to get a shot of every one taking part in the races and I have to try to select just a few to include.
Alan.S 1700.
PS. Bill Wates wished to get his picture in this blog so he 'fell/jumped' into the pond between races.

PS. The Winter series may be over next weekend but don’t forget the Dighy Show, at Alexandra Palace, in two week’s time on Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd March

Results:- 

R13

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Mistyblue	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1148	43.47	0.00.00	1.0
2	Last Bash	Streaker	1700	Lancing SC	Alan Simmons		1148	47.01	0.03.14	2.0
3		Laser	191067	Pevensey SC	Roger McCall		1087	45.45	0.04.18	3.0
3	Hot Toddy	RS 200	582	NSSC	Micheal Veale	Mike Rosier	1053	OOD		3.0
5		Laser 4.7	206330	NSSC	Jasmin Sayed	c	1180	52.26	0.07.26	4.0
6		Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1087	50.13	0.08.46	5.0
7		Laser Radial	177611	NSSC	John Smith		1117	52.00	0.09.24	6.5
7		Laser Radial	64200	NSSC	Zoe McCaig		1117	52.00	0.09.24	6.5
9	Gay Amigo Won	Laser	175741	NSSC	Chas Humphries		1087	50.52	0.09.25	8.0
10		Otter	981	NSSC	Colin Cryer		1385	54.10	0.11.55	9.0
11		Fireball	15021	NSSC	Steve Duncan	Penelope Duncan	980	48.03	0.10.40	10.0
12		Pico 2	2072	NSSC	David Murley		1332	54.06	0.13.28	11.0
13		Topper	7	NSSC	Bea Cameron	c	1313	44.35	0.14.32	12.0
14		Topper	4	NSSC	Jamie Smith	c	1313	52.07	0.22.04	13.0

R14

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	Mistyblue	Streaker	1706	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1148	42.15	0.00.00	1.0
2	Last Bash	Streaker	1700	Lancing SC	Alan Simmons		1148	42.44	0.00.29	2.0
3		Laser	191067	Pevensey SC	Roger McCall		1087	42.17	0.02.17	3.0
3	Hot Toddy	RS 200	582	NSSC	Micheal Veale	Mike Rosier	1053	OOD		3.0
5		Laser Radial	64200	NSSC	Zoe McCaig		1117	45.24	0.04.17	4.0
6		Laser 4.7	206330	NSSC	Jasmin Sayed	c	1180	39.16	0.04.31	5.0
7	Gay Amigo Won	Laser	175741	NSSC	Chas Humphries		1087	45.41	0.05.41	6.0
8		Laser Radial	177611	NSSC	John Smith		1117	47.15	0.06.08	7.0
9		Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1087	46.36	0.06.36	8.0
10		Fireball	15021	NSSC	Steve Duncan	Penelope Duncan	980	43.34	0.07.30	9.0
11		Otter	981	NSSC	Colin Cryer		1385	40.38	0.10.03	10.0
12		Topper	7	NSSC	Bea Cameron	c	1313	38.50	0.09.50	11.0
13		Topper	4	NSSC	Jamie Smith	c	1313	30.34	0.11.14	12.0
14		Pico 2	2072	NSSC	David Murley		1332	48.18	0.18.53	13.0