Elford Numbum Races 1 & 2 – 08/01/2023

Overcast grey, a goodly breeze, dry, but not too cold as we left Hangleton for Piddinghoe this morning. The XCWeather forecast was for force 6 – 22-23 knots all morning and on arrival at the Pond there was very audible whistling in the rigging of the boats on the south bank, definitely a good force six. On the hopes that it would not be quite so strong on the water the writer changed into his dry suit and rigged his Streaker, and prepared - just - to give it a go.

Laurence Venus, as RO, was assisted by Darrell Topp. It should have been Connie Sturt but she stepped in as Safety boat crew as the person scheduled failed to make an appearance. Laurence set an ‘X’ shaped course, thereby eliminating any gybes (thank goodness) with the start from the small jetty to the north of the clubhouse - with a finish from the clubhouse – to the windward mark.

                                Photographs by Bett Simmons

At the gun there were 5 boats afloat and it was Alan Simmons (Streaker) who was first across the line, followed by Thomas Beck (Topper) and then Bill Waites (Laser Radial). Next came Michael Veale and Mike Rosier (RS 200) and finally Ed Thorburn (Finn).

These latter pair were first to round the windward mark with the RS 200 in the front spot, followed by Thomas, then Bill and lastly by Alan. On the next leg, a very broad run, Ed was unable to catch the RS with its Genniker flown but did catch and pass them on the beat behind the Island. 

Alan pulled up to just get his bow ahead of Bill on the run whilst Thomas having received the full strength of a huge gust temporarily  headed off towards the south bank, instead of the east one. He soon recovered however and passed Alan to lie behind Bill.

The reach from the mark south of the Island to that off the Fisherman’s Bay was frighteningly fast and furious but much to the delight of the pair in the RS 200. This was followed by a very shifty beat back to the southwest corner mark off the clubhouse. Ed crossed the line 55 seconds ahead of the R200 who in turn were 1 minute 16 seconds ahead of Bill with Alan a further 18 seconds astern and Thomas another 7 seconds behind. Alan decided that enough was enough, he was not enjoying the sailing and headed back ashore, nearly capsizing on the way.

Lap 2 Saw Ed still leading and increasing the gap from Michael and the pair pulling further ahead of Bill who in turn eased away from Thomas.

Lap 3 saw no place changes in the now four strong fleet, as Thomas was finished.

Lap 4 likewise had no position changes as Michael and Bill were then finished.

Lap 5 was a victory lap for Ed as he was the sole ‘competitor’ having sailed himself so far ahead.

With Handicaps applied and times corrected the winner of the race was Ed Thorburn with Thomas Beck second, Bill Wates third and Michael Veale fourth. Both Bill and Thomas had more than one spill but the RS and the Finn stayed upright throughout.

Race 1 - 08/01/2023

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Fleet	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Finish	Elapsed	Laps	Corrected	BCE	Points
1	Menagerie	FINN	595	NSSC	Ed Thorburn		1049		31.09	5	0.29.42	0.00.00	1.0
2	Menagerie	TOPPER	47124	NSSC	Thomas Beck		1365		27.12	3	0.33.13	0.02.53	2.0
3	Laser Hull	LASER RADIAL	26	NSSC	Bill Wates		1147		31.13	4	0.34.01	0.03.58	3.0
4	Menagerie	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1046		29.57	4	0.35.47	0.05.06	4.0
5	Menagerie	STREAKER	1832	Lancing	Alan Simmons		1128		DNF				13.0
5	Laser Hull	LASER RADIAL	217834	NSSC	Darrell Topp		1147		OOD				13.0
5	Menagerie	TOPPER		NSSC	Connie Sturt		1365		OOD				13.0
5				NSSC	Will Rowell				OOD				13.0
5	Menagerie	HADRON H2	138	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1037		OOD				13.0

 Race two was sailed over the same course with the now four strong fleet. 

At the gun it was Michael and Ed first and second off the line with Michael upwind, with the latter making the windward mark slightly ahead. 

With the Gennaker hoisted they steamed down the run towards the east shore, held on during the subsequent beat and then shot off on the long reach towards the Fisherman’s Bay. They held Ed off on the long beat back to the finish line crossing it 13 seconds in front. Bill was next to cross 45 seconds behind and Thomas crossed in fourth place nearly two minutes later.

Lap 2 saw the RS still in the lead until the last leg, the beat back along the west shore. They almost made it until a capsize ruled them out of the running for the lap and allowing Bill to pass them.

Lap 3 Ed continued to lead the pack but Michael pulled back ahead of Bill, to regain second place, who had had another capsize. Bill and Thomas were then finished.

Lap 4 Michael crossed the finish line nearly three minutes behind Ed but giving them third place in the race with Thomas beating Bill to second place.

Race 2 - 08/01/2023

Start: Start 1, Finishes: Place

Rank	Fleet	Class	SailNo	Club	HelmName	CrewName	PY	Finish	Elapsed	Laps	Corrected	BCE	Points
1	Menagerie	FINN	595	NSSC	Ed Thorburn		1049		25.47	4	0.24.35	0.00.00	1.0
2	Menagerie	TOPPER	47124	NSSC	Thomas Beck		1365		27.25	3	0.26.47	0.02.15	2.0
3	Menagerie	RS 200	582	NSSC	Michael Veale	Mike Rosier	1046		28.36	4	0.27.21	0.02.53	3.0
4	Laser Hull	LASER RADIAL	26	NSSC	Bill Wates		1147		24.52	3	0.28.54	0.03.43	4.0
5	Laser Hull	LASER RADIAL	217834	NSSC	Darrell Topp		1147		OOD				13.0
5	Menagerie	TOPPER		NSSC	Connie Sturt		1365		OOD				13.0
5				NSSC	Will Rowell				OOD				13.0
5	Menagerie	HADRON H2	138	NSSC	Laurence Venus		1037		OOD				13.0

 

With several more spills and thrills it was beginning to look to be a close race until Michael’s dip. He had a couple more when he went ‘free’ sailing after the race. For once the weather forecast were not too far off the actuality, yes there were the odd calmer patches but overall it was quite a ‘stiff’ breeze but the rain held off for the morning.

Alan.S 1832