Streaker Ramblings - Frensham Pond - 19/04/2015

A bright sunny morning, with a cool north easterly breeze, as we set off for Frensham Pond SC. A nice country drive through Steyning, Storrington, Petworth and Pulborough to Midhurst on a familiar route. Leaving Midhurst, where the turn off was closed, we had to go into the town before heading for Fernhurst, Shottermill, Hindhead and then Churt. We then missed the turn off into Pond Lane and had to quickly turn round and finally got to the club with plenty of time to spare before rigging the boat in the car park amongst the trees.

This was to be a joint event with Solos (18 boats) and small Streaker contingent of just 5 boats. The North easterly was still blowing, straight down the longest axis of the water and at a good force 4 (about in line with the forecast seen just before departure). Once afloat, with difficult launching from the lee shore slipways, a complex course as set with the details only available from the committee boat – see the course chart(s).

 

The Solos had the first start and were well clear before the Streaker first race count down. First away, at the pin end was Veronica Falat (Waveney and Oulton Broad) with Alan Simmons (Lancing) at the committee boat end then Hugh Marston (Frensham Pond ) just to windward of Graham Butler (Frensham Pond). Last to start was Nick Carter (Burghfield). Veronica was first to round the windward mark ahead of Graham, then Hugh followed by Alan. On the following long run (to mark 7) Graham took the lead from Veronica with the other two hard on their heels. Meanwhile Nick got caught out by the gusts on the windward leg and capsized, after assistance from the safety boat he retired from the race.

On the third leg (second Beat) Graham, who had been leading, lost the pin securing his mainsheet jammer to the thwart and also had to retire. Veronica as now in the lead and continued, through the remaining legs and lap to pull away from Hugh who likewise left Alan well behind.

Race 2 was held over the same course with once more all five boats coming to the line for the start. Veronica as again first cross the line in mid line this time with Hugh next away whilst pushing Alan hard up to the committee boat.

 

Alan tacked away and lost out to the leading trio with Graham soon in the lead which he held to the finish. Alan began to make up some lost ground until, on the reach from mark 3 to mark 5, he succumbed to a heavy gust and took a swim. A battle for second place ensued in the latter part of the race with Hugh finally passing Veronica (who also had a dip) to take second place.

 

After lunch the RO decided that the wind had swung a little and set a new course ( see above). The breeze had also faded somewhat. Alan again chose the committee boat end and was first away ahead of Graham with Veronica once more at the pin end. Hugh was well on the course side of the line at the gun and whilst retuning to the correct side he collided with Nick and capsized as a result.

Going up the windward first leg Graham was just ahead of Alan when he was caught by a massive header, he bore away and tried to catch the resultant wind load by sitting out hard. However he missed his toe straps and performed a spectacular back flip into the oggin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the windward mark Alan found himself in the lead which he maintained for the entire first lap only to be overtaken eventually by Veronica with Graham coming home behind the pair but ahead of Hugh who recovered sufficiently to pass Nick in the later stage of the race.

The fourth and final race, on the same course as the third, saw Veronica soon take the lead in the slightly stronger breeze that had developed again. Alan was in close pursuit and held on until the final stages when Graham managed to get past and take second place. Hugh was somewhat behind and Nick did not take part in the race – three races in one day having been ‘enough for me’ as he put it when we met up ashore.

With three first places (and discarding a third place) Veronica was the winner of the meeting. Graham took second place with Hugh third, Alan fourth and Nick fifth.

Results:-

Sail No	Helm	Club	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race4	Posn
1829	Veronica Falat	W & OB	1	(3)	1	1	1
1760	Graham Butler	Frensham Pond	(Retd)	1	3	2	2
1824	Hugh Marston	Frensham Pond	2	2	4	(4)	3
1700	Alan Simmons	Lancing	3	(4)	2	3	4
1828	Nick Carter	Burgfield	(Retd)	5	5	DNC	5

 Alan.S 1700