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