Tuesday 14 August 2018

Streaker Ramblings - Broxbourne - 11/08/2018

 
A clear blue sky and complete lack of breeze as we set off for Broxbourne. As we drove up the M23 we hit road works and a 50mph speed limit at the turn off to Gatwick. This continued up to the junction with the M25. Needless to say there was not a sign of any work taking place. After navigating the Dartford tunnel and the A10 towards the north we found the turn off to Broxbourne closed off and had to go on to Hoddesdon and then turn south finally arriving at the club much later than anticipated. It was then a rush to get rigged, changed and on the water for the first race.

The race officer set a figure of eight shaped course, with a relatively short first windward leg – as shown below.
Veronica Falat (Waveney and Oulton Broad) was first away at the gun for Race1 in the middle of the line with Ian Bradley (Ouse) next off nearer to the pin end of the line and Phil Halldron (Downs) third away nearest to the committee boat. In the light breeze (3 to 4 knots) there was some close racing and frequent place changes as holes appeared and swallowed up competitors.

 The light and patchy breeze was to last throughout the day. Ian won the first and third laps with Veronica taking the middle lap and Duncan McDonald (NSSC) stayed in third place throughout as Graham Butler (Frensham Pond) held fourth place throughout.

Race 2, after the lunch break,  saw Veronica leading again in the first and third laps with Duncan behind her except for the second lap when he overtook her. Graham had a battle with Ian dropping to fourth in the second and third laps.

Race 3 started, back to back, in a little more breeze over the slightly adjusted course. Yet again Veronica led the fleet in top spot throughout with Duncan second and Ian third having overtaken Graham in the second lap.


The overall winner was Veronica, having discarded a second place with Ian second overall, Duncan third, on countback, and Graham fourth.

Results:-

Posn
Sail
Helm
Club
R1
R2
R3
Points
1
1972
Veronica Falat
Waveney & Oulton
(2)
1
1
2
2
1817
Ian Bradley
Ouse
1
3
(3)
4
3
2102
Duncan McDonald
NSSC
(3)
2
2
4
4
1760
Graham Butler
Frensham Pond
4
4
(4)
8
5
1920
Mark Langston
Beccles
5
5
(5)
10
6
1929
Peter Withrington
Burghfield
6
(8)
6
12
7
1902
Chris Abela
West Oxford
(8)
6
7
13
8
1700
Alan Simmons
Lancing
7
7
(9)
14
9
1905
Phil Halldron
Downs
10
(11)
8
18
10
1691
Jane Hill
Broxbourne
9
9
(10)
18
11
1611
Ceri Thomas
Broadstairs
11
10
DNS
21
12
1685
Rod Jeffreys
Blakeney
DNF
DNS
DNS
39


In spite of the lack of breeze there was some very competitive racing, even amongst those not in the leading group and a good day was experienced by all.
Alan.S 1700