Streaker Ramblings - Freeman Iceberg Races 7 & 8 - 23.11.2014

Cold, Wet and windy as we left home, the skies solidly grey, to deliver the new boat to Piddinghoe. On arrival John Nash (Laser full rig) and Zoe McCaig (Laser Radial) helped us unload the trolley and boat from the Mini’s roof rack. We had hoped to use the roof rack for transport but have now decided to purchase a road Trailer – at considerable extra expense – together with an undercover.

Alan then proceeded to set the new ‘Aero 7’ up, getting soaked into the bargain in the constantly falling rain and strong wind, losing the main halyard and having to take the mast down to retrieve it. The conditions were not conducive to sailing a new, unfamiliar, boat so Alan then went on to pack up his Streaker for its return home to Hove and did not finish, cold and very wet, until the second race of the day had started.

Bill Giles, Ro for the day, set a crossover course with the first leg starting close to the clubhouse with a windward leg northwards to a mark off the Fisherman’s Bay. From there the next leg was a reach across the pond to a mark in the south east corner, taken to starboard before a second windward leg to a mark midway along the eastern shore before turning southwest to a mark in the southwest corner. After that there was a short windward leg to the start/finish line in front of the clubhouse.

Fourteen boats signed on but Laurence Venus (Streaker) and Graham Hardy (Laser full rig) thought better of it and did not after all go afloat.

To say that the first start was a bit ragged it to belie the fact that Michael Veale crewed by Mike Rosier (RS 200) were the only boat anywhere near the start line at the gun and was several seconds before Rupert Smith crewed by Penny Sprigall (Vago) were next away. In line to windward were Bill Wates (Laser full rig) and then Darren Field and Louise Currell (RS200). Tim Cox (Laser Radial) chose to start closer to the bank end of the line and was soon in the thick of some very heavy gusts. Rupert was second boat around the Fisherman,s Bay mark and like Mike ahead of him raised his Gennaker for the reach across the full width of the pond.

Next along that leg were John in his Laser just to windward but alongside Darren (who wisely kept his kite ‘in the bag’. Close on their heels was Zoe – with a big grin on her face. Upon rounding the south east mark for the second windward leg John had his first capsize whilst Michael stayed ahead of Rupert until succumbing to a capsize on the final leg back towards the clubhouse.

So the first lap went to Rupert followed by Michael and then Darren with Terry Jones (reefed down Laser full rig) just astern. John having recovered, somewhat, came through 5^th, Julian Dobson (reefed down Laser full rig) was 6^th, Zoe 7^th, Jasper Thorp (Topper) 8^th, Bill.W 9^th (having had at least one capsize), Tim10th and Jamie Smith (Laser 4.7) last – having had his mast head stuck in the mud well after the rest of the fleet had almost completed their first lap. Tiger Cox (Topper) was disqualified for missing a mark (not sure on which lap but guess it must have been the first.

Lap 2 saw some close racing in the leading pack with Darren taking the lead from Rupert and Michael also getting back ahead of the Vago..John pulled up to fourth as Terry capsized and had his mast ‘fall out’ of his Laser and ending his race. Julian also failed to complete the lap, the reefed sail beginning to unfold and bag behind the mast making the boat uncontrollable. So Zoe was up to 5^th, Tiger lying 6^th (on time but DSQ), Bill.W 7^th, Tim, just about back in control, 8^th and Jamie 9^th.
Lap 3 and there were changes at the front again as Michael took the lead from Rupert who also overtook Darren. John and Zoe remained 4^th and 5^th whilst Tim started a comeback passing Bill.W but unable to catch his DSQ son Tiger on the water.
The 4^th and final lap in this blisteringly speedy race saw Michael regain top spot with Darren back to second and Rupert relegated to 3^rd. Zoe came back to 4^th leading John over the line.
With the handicaps applied the results was as finishing order, Michael, Darren and Rupert.

For the second race the breeze had decreased a little – the forecast for the morning was the reverse, lower at first and then increasing. The fleet was now down to nine, Terry, Julian and Jasper not partaking. This time at the gun at least most of the starters were close to the line, just Zoe and Tiger a good bit behind. Rupert was first away at the leeward end, then Darren in mid line and thirdly Michael at the windward end. Michael was the first casualty with a capsize close to the mark at the Fisherman’s Bay allowing Rupert to take the lead. Darren was next up with John in hot pursuit once more on the long reach across the pond. It did not take long for Darren to catch up with and overtake Rupert, and by the end of the first lap John had also passed Rupert. Tim was lying 4^th with Zoe 5th^th, Tiger 6^th, Michael 7^th, Bill.W 8^th and Jamie 9^th.

In lap 2 Darren continued to pull away whilst Rupert was able to sail higher on the wind to overtake John. Michael regained a little of his deficit passing Zoe and Tiger and going into 5^th place. Bill remained in 8th place with Jamie having finished at the end of the previous lap.

Lap three and the final lap saw Darren maintain his lead and Rupert holding off John to take second place. Michael also got past Tim to finish 4^th with Zoe 6^th, Bill.W 7^th and Tiger 8^th.

After the handicaps had been worked out the finishing order was , Darren 1^st, Tiger 2^nd, Rupert 3^rd.

Two hard sailed races in testing , if not to say very wet, conditions but an enjoyable morning’s sail for just about everyone – especially the spectators!

Results (subject to confirmation) :-

2	RS 200	285	NSSC	Darren Field	Lousie Currel	1051	24.37	0.00.16	2.0
3	Vago	808	NSSC	Rupert Smith	Chris Turner/Penny Springall	1064	25.12	0.00.33	3.0
3	Laser Radial	142208	NSSC	David Murley		1122	OOD		3.0
3	Topper	7	NSSC	Charlie Rigg		1322	OOD		3.0
6	Laser Radial	64200	NSSC	Zoe McCaig		1122	30.42	0.04.42	4.0
7	Topper		NSSC	Jasper Thorp		1322	18.50	0.03.31	5.0
8	Laser	136424	NSSC	John Nash		1088	31.52	0.06.40	6.0
9	Laser Radial	16	NSSC	Tim Cox		1122	27.24	0.07.54	7.0
10	Laser 4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith		1185	29.43	0.09.08	8.0
11	Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1088	28.18	0.09.24	9.0
12	Laser	30678	NSSC	Terry Jones		1088	DNF		12.0
12	Laser	7/176670	NSSC	Julian Dobson		1088	DNF		12.0
14	Topper	26340	NSSC	Tiger Cox		1322	DSQ		37.0

R8

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY No	Elapsed	BCE	Points
1	RS 200	285	NSSC	Darren Field	Lousie Currel	1051	16.05	0.00.00	1.0
2	Topper	26340	NSSC	Tiger Cox		1322	22.47	0.02.33	2.0
3	Vago	808	NSSC	Rupert Smith	Chris Turner/Penny Springall	1064	18.54	0.02.37	3.0
3	Laser Radial	142208	NSSC	David Murley		1122	OOD		3.0
3	Topper	7	NSSC	Charlie Rigg		1322	OOD		3.0
6	Laser Radial	16	NSSC	Tim Cox		1122	19.59	0.02.49	4.0
7	Laser Radial	64200	NSSC	Zoe McCaig		1122	20.07	0.02.57	5.0
8	Laser	136424	NSSC	John Nash		1088	19.35	0.02.56	6.0
9	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1051	19.37	0.03.32	7.0
10	Laser	133416	NSSC	Bill Wates		1088	22.24	0.05.45	8.0
11	Laser 4.7	2063	NSSC	Jamie Smith		1185	17.03	0.11.00	9.0

 Alan.S 1700