Streaker Ramblings - Newhaven & Seaford SC - 20/06/2015

Cloudy and with some drizzle in the air as I set off for NSSC from Hove – thankfully just over 25 minutes away. On arrival it turned out that apart from myself there was only one other visitior and with the one local boat the fleet was to be three strong (or weak in real terms). Luckily there were two other fleets, 10 Lasers and 9 Toppers in the joint event, otherwise it could have been a total non-event.

The Race Officer, Rupert Smith, had set a ‘P’ course, from a Committee boat anchored in Seaford Bay with the windward leg heading almost dead offshore (South West) fairly close inshore and well clear of the Cross Channel Ferries out of the harbour. The breeze was initially  light, force 2 to 3 and increased slightly over the day. 

Three races were planned, one before lunch and two back to back afterwards with the Streakers first away.

At the gun it was James Dawes (Redditch SC) who was first across the line with Laurence Veunus (Newhaven & Seaford SC) next and lastly Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) bringing up the rear by a couple of seconds. Up the first beat Laurence slipped into the lead and was first to round the windward mark and set off down the first reach. James was next to round closely followed by Alan but Laurence commenced to pull away from the trailing pair. James continued to lead Alan who stayed not far behind but unable to catch up and the order stayed the same for the rest of the race with Laurence taking the gun with a substantial lead.

After lunch Race2 got underway in a slightly stronger breeze, middle force 3, from the same direction but with a bit more chop on the sea. Once again it was James first off the blocks with Alan next and then Laurence. James was first to the windward mark and off along the reach with Alan in pursuit and Laurence just behind. Down the next reach all three boats were but a couple of lengths apart and on the following run Laurence squeezed past Alan.

 On the subsequent upwind leg Laurence was unable to pass James before going through the gate for the start of the second lap. Alan made a hash of his tack for the line and went into irons and by the time he got back in control had dropped well back. James continued to pull away ahead and Laurence was unable to catch him before the end of the fourth and final lap.

Race 3, back to back with race 2, saw Laurence away first just ahead of James with Alan still last man to go but all three boats in close company all round the first lap until James suffered a capsize on the run towards the shore letting Alan through to second place. Yet again Laurence began to establish a good lead which he held to the finish and James was unable to catch up with Alan.

 

At the prize giving it was Laurence who took first place with two wins under his belt, James was second and Alan brought up the rear.

Results (c/o NSSC):-

Streaker.Open 2015

Overall

Sailed: 3, Discards: 1, To count: 2, Entries: 3, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank	Boat	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Total	Nett
						20.6.15	20.6.15	20.6.15
1st	Mistyblue	Streaker	1706	N S S C	Laurence Venus	1.0	(2.0)	1.0	4.0	2.0
2nd		Streaker	1892	Redditch S C	James Dawes	2.0	1.0	(3.0)	6.0	3.0
3rd	Last Bash	Streaker	1700	L S C	Alan Simmons	(3.0)	3.0	2.0	8.0	5.0

A good day’s sailing for all three competitors, shame that more visitors did not turn up, with ideal wind and sea conditions.

Alan.S 1700