Streaker Ramblings - Bosham SC -23/07/2011

Bosham is a ‘local’ club for us so we did not have to leave until 7.45am, with bright blue skies, a light breeze and no hint of rain on our journey down to Chichester Harbour. Having arrived and found no access to the ‘Green’ we drove to the dinghy park and rigged the boat, then drove back down to the quay, dropped it off and took the car to the car park on the other side of the village.

By the time the briefing took place at the club house there were nine Streakers present. The courses being well down the harbour all set off by about 10.30am on a pleasant and uneventfull ½ hour sail, down past Cobnor, then Itchenor and into the Thorney channel. The committee boat moored fairly close to the East Head buoy and the first chosen course was a triangle/sausage affair heading back the way we had come down from Bosham.

The first start, on a fairly short, heavily port biased line was almost chaos as some three Solent Sunbeams – rather large keel boats – decided to charge straight through our line seconds after our gun had ‘fired’.  As it happened there were no actual collisions but apart from it being appallingly bad manners on their behalf it rather up-set our start. Thereafter it was Paul Burgoyne (Tamworth SC), who had attempted a port hand start, who went into the lead. Close behind him was his father John (Tamworth SC) and then Dave Cockerill (Emsworth SC). Tucked in behind these three was Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) then Gary Hogan (Haversham SC), John Smith (Bosham SC), Michael Camps (Bosham SC) and bring up the tail end Richard Felstead (Lymington TSC). By the finish Paul.B had pulled out a fair lead over his dad John.B  but Dave.C was close behind.
Race two, over a similar type course – adjusted for a swing in the breeze further to the west and this time 2 courses long – went off without hitch this time. Dave.C was first away and although challenged by both the Burgoynes held his lead to the finish.
Alan.S was not far back on the leaders but was overtaken on the fourth beat by Michael.C and was unable to get fourth spot back. Behind Alan it was Gary.H, then John. Richard.F improved by one place on the previous race whilst Hugh.G took over the tail end spot. In second spot in this race it was Paul.B again ahead of John.B.

A break was then taken – afloat – for lunch before the final race. Yet again the course was swung to compensate for the wind directional change – much further west this time and over towards the Emsworth channel and again two long triangles and two long sausages. This time it was John Burgoyne who won the start and chose the correct way to go up the first beat, not far behind was Paul.B and mixing it with him was Alan.S. Richard.F had begun to get the hang of things, perhaps it was down to the slight increase in wind strength but for a while he was ahead of Alan. Behind this pair Dave.C was not – initially – making waves.

In the final windward beat, close to the top mark, Dave.C squeezed past Alan.S into third place. John.B held off a late challenge from Paul to take top spot in this race. Next home was Dave.C then Alan.S then Richard.F followed by Michael.C, Gary.H (who was disqualified for failing to go through the course gate at one point) John.S and finally Hugh.G.
At the end of the racing there was a zippy ½ hour sail back to Bosham – good job somebody knew the way as Alan would have sailed on up towards Dell Quay instead of turning left opposite Itchenor. A long, but very pleasant, day with some 6.1/2 hours on the water.
At the prizegiving it was Paul Burgoyne in first place ahead of dad John – who would have won had it not been that all races counted – with Dave Cockerill in third place.

Results (Unofficial):-

1^st Paul Burgoyne, 2^nd. John Burgoyne, 3^rd. Dave Cockerill, 4^th Alan Simmons, 5^th.Michael Camps, 6^th. Gary Hogan, 7^th. Richard Felstead, 8^th. John Smith, 9^th.Hugh Garety.

   

PS. Appologies for lack of photos – the sailing was way out of sight of the club and Bett declined to go afloat.

PPS. Whilst I did not in the end attend, I had intended to go to Deben, would have thus been able to get results and make a ‘blog’. However I am still awaiting info from the club – I do not even know who the prize winners were!

Streaker Ramblings - Stewartby WSC 2nd July 2011

Bright blue sunlit skies and no breeze as we set off at 7.30am on the 115 mile trip up the M23,M25 and M1 to Stewartby just south of Bedford. We arrived at 9.30am, quite good considering all the road works on the route with the usual 50 mph speed limits, luckily the variable speed limits around the M25 were not functioning.

Once rigged and after the shore-side briefing the 8 Streakers, in company with eleven Solos, took to the water. There was a bit of a delay before the Solos got away on their first start whilst the RO waited for what little breezethere was to materialise sufficiently for him to choose a direction in which to send them.

The Streakers started their sequence a minute or so after the Solos had left on the short leg to the first mark near the clubhouse and launching area. The first half of the fleet, Barney Proud (Stewartby WSP), Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad SC), Bill Strange (Stewartby) and Nigel Denchfield (Stewartby) managed to round the widward mark before the breeze died completelty whilst the second half - David New (Paxton Lakes), Alan Simmons (Lancing SC), Ian Parish (Stewartby) and Peter Billington (Stewartby) – all clustered around the mark, Alan.S being rammed (gently) and then hitting the mark and requiring to re-round it. By the end of the first lap Barney.P led Bill.S and Veronica.F with Alan.S in 7^th position. In the second lap Veronica got ahead of Barney and Bill and Alan moved up one place. By the end of the third (and last) lap the lead had changed yet again with Barney in front of Veronica and then Nigel.D. Bill.S had lost out one place and Alan.S had pulled up another to fifth. Even at the back it was all change with David.N going from 5^th to 7^th then back to 6^th however Peter.B stayed firmly in last spot at the end of each lap.

After Lunch, with a similar course and just a tiny bit more breeze, the Streakers set off again. It was Barney who once again took the lead (and managed to hold it to the finish), whilst Ian.P was close behind him, then Veronica and Nigel in fourth. Alan.S who had yet to get a reasonable start had pulled through to 5^th by the end of the first lap with Peter .B just behind him. By the end of the second lap Veronica had passed Ian and Alan was ahead of Nigel. By the beginning of the third and last running leg Alan got into 3^rd spot only to lose out to Ian again by the end of the leg. So the finish order was Barney.P 1^st , Veronica.F 2^nd, Ian.P 3^rd and Alan.S 4^th.

Just prior to the final race the wind died almost completely but the RO persisted with a change of course – a little longer than before – and obligingly the wind began to fill in. Alan still failed to get a good start but Barney, Bill  and Veronica did and that was the order for those three with Alan second to last in 6^th. In lap 2 Veronica got in front of Barney and Alan had sneaked through to be in 3^rd place. In the final lap Veronica still held off Barney’s challenge and Alan could catch neither but held on in third. Peter.B had not sailed the last race but there was still a tussle between Bill, Ian, Nigel and David which was resolved in that order.

So three races planned and in spite of the lack of breeze three races completed. The low strength and shifts made for difficult sailing necessitating constant concentration with a good deal of luck to be in the right spot at the right time thrown in. Alan was delighted to find himself in 3^rd spot overall having had a 5^th, a 4^th and then finally a 3^rd place in the racing. A good day’s sport with very tricky conditions facing the RO with which he coped admirably.

Results :-

1^st Barney Proud, 2^nd Veronica Falat, 3^rd Alan Simmons, 4^th Ian Parish, 5^th Nigel Denchfield, 6^th  Bill Strange, 7^th David New, 8^th Peter Billington - fourth ,fifth and sixth positions were all on equal points with identical discards and required intricate settlement on count back.

Alan.S 1700
PS. For the official (SCOA) race report follow the link http://www.streaker-class.org.uk

Streaker Ramblings- Pennine SC, National Championships. 25/26th June 2011

We left home at 10.30am on Friday morning 24^th June for the 258 mile trip up to Pennine SC – Winscar Reservoir, Dunsford Bridge, near Barnsley for the National Championships - sponsored again this year by Noble Marine. It was dry but largely overcast although the odd occasional glimpse of blue sky did occur on the somewhat lengthy drive and after a couple of comfort/coffee stops we arrived at 4.15pm. It was still dry after we had erected the tent close to the clubhouse and after a few beers we attended the Class AGM with about thirty other members. Nothing too contentious but we have now got a Class Secretary – Veronica Falat from Waveny and Oulton Broad SC. The local youngsters were by then out sailing in virtually no wind – my, how things would change. Throughout the night it poured with rain and leaked in on one camper so much that he had to pack up and go home without even going on the water.
For day one of the Nationals, just before a Bacon Butty breakfast, it was grey, raining solidly, blowing half a gale and chilly with it – not conducive to the writer’s preferred sailing conditions. Some 48 boats, below recent averages, had entered although not all went afloat for the first race which consisted of a basic triangle. There was a beat up to the western end of the water followed by a reach back towards the east and then a turn north thence back southwards to the start line. Both the Reach and the northerly, near Run, were very hairy with large gusts on top of the force 5 main breeze.

The line was very biased and the fleet lined up almost parallel on Starboard tack with most boats just making it across the line after the gun. Steve Cockerill (Hill Head SC) soon established a lead pursued by Ian Jones (Dovestones SC) with Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC) in third ans Ian Lees (Scammonden)in fourth slot. In the strong winds Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) could not get any speed out of his boat going to windward and finished the race in 28^th position.
Race two, after lunch, was held in similar conditions, but over a slightly adjusted course, of solid rain and a good force 5. This time, and after one general recall, Tom Gillard (Sheffield Vikings SC), the defending Champion, was on the water having just returned from the Fireball Worlds at Sligo in Ireland. He had had a good series there,  just missing out on top spot due to a count back. In the Streaker fleet race however he could not catch Steve.C and had to accept second place ahead of Ian.J in 3^rd with Alan.G in 4th.  Alan.S struggled round and, in spite of needing to do turns when in the wrong in a port and starboard situation, made up one place to 27^th
Race three, after another short spell ashore and on another variation of course, seemed likely to be more of the same – strong wind and rain – and again the top three were Tom.G, in first place this time, ahead of Steve.C and Ian Jones with Alan.G yet again in 4^th spot. In lap two the breeze died quite a bit on the upwind leg allowing Alan.S to make up quite a few places – it did not last however and as the wind rose he dropped back to 30^th at the finish.

In the evening there was a great meal provided by the girls and guys in the galley followed by a Skiffle group – the ‘Yorkshire Tea Bags’ – with a little help from one of the Streaker sailors and his guitar and of course plenty of beer. After the day’s exertions it was a relatively early night for Alan.S and Bett.S. It blew and rained all night although we did get a bit of sleep.
Sunday dawned sunny but with the wind still blowing hard, so much so that there were white horses on the water. Alan.S was not keen to even bother going afloat, after yet another Bacon Buttie breakfast. With about an hour to go to the start of the first race of the day Alan Gillard offered the use of the reduced area SCOA owned ‘Wave’ sail and Alan.S  reluctantly decided to try it out. Once changed and with the boat almost ready to go he decided to use his full rig after all.
Race four started on time on yet another configuration of course but by the time the leader had finished his first lap the RO abandoned the race. At the top of the initial beat there was a rescue boat moored almost on the mark. Alan S when he reached it was forced to go outside the moored boat taking John Hollis (Pennine SC) with him due to the mass of boats on the inside close to the mark. At the restart it was the usual group who got out up front although Steve.C had taken Tom. G out of the running in the prestart manoeuvring. By the finish Tom.G was up to 2^nd again behind Steve.C but ahead of Ian.J. and with his dad Alan.G in 4^th . Alan.S found the easing wind more to his liking, and whether or not  it was due to fewer starters, he had his best result thus far at 26^th.

Race five, the final of the champs, set off after lunch, on yet another course with an initial beat up to a mark in the south west corner of the reservoir. The wind had increased a bit yet again and whilst the usual group of four were out in front  Alan.S thought he was reasonably well up the order. On approaching the windward mark there were several wind shifts of differing ferocity and direction and Alan.S ended up in the water. He righted the boat by holding onto the centreboard as it flew over him and finally got back on board. By this time however he was truely last with even a ‘Wave’ sail ahead. With a bit of luck he managed to claw back a few places and ended up in 25^th, his best result of the weekend.

At the top of the fleet it was yet another win for Steve.C with Tom.G 2^nd and Ian.J 3^rd. Alan.G did not finish this race, fourth place going to Matt Jenkins (Sheffield Vikings)

So that was the champs over, the overall winner was Steve.C with Tom.G as runner with Ian.J third and Alan.G in 4^th positon.

At the other end of the scale Alan.S could do no better than 31^st overall – given kinder lighter winds it might have been a place or two higher. He found the sailing very hard going on the Saturday and only slightly less so on Sunday, must be age showing but overall had an enjoyable weekend with the chance to catch up with quite a few friends and acquaintances.

The prize giving was performed out of doors, in the sunshine, and as usual was quite extensive with the overall Trophy, one for the winner of each race, for the first lady, for the under 18s, the over 45, the over 55s, the over 65s, the over 75s, for the club team, for the highest place home club helm and for most attractive boat. Finally there was a free raffle draw for a Boat Cover and a Sailing Bag plus the Usual Mug commemorating the event and a bottle of Sparkling Cider for all entrants.
After that and having already packed up the boat it was off home at 4.45pm finally arriving back in Hove just before 10.00pm.

Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Ouse A S C - 18th June 2011

6.05 am start on the 3 hour plus drive to the club at Saddle Bow just south of Kings Lynn. Grey overcast skies with a force 4‘ish breeze with just the hint of blue skies occasionally on the way up.  This was a combined Streaker and Supernova Open meeting with some nine and ten boats in their respective fleets.
  The breeze at the site was a good force 4 touching 5 and more of a westerly than anything blowing across the ‘cut’ (30 yards wide x ½ mile long) leading the RO to set a course down the full length with a couple of diversions across the water, one on the way down and the other on the return leg.
  For race one the first fleet away should have been the Supernovas, however they cocked it up with a mass premature start and had to do a new one (two as it happened) after the Streakers were on their way.
  The entire Streaker fleet was on the line together and it was Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) and then Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings) who first got just out in front from Veronica Falat (W & OB SC) and Alan Simmons (Lancing SC). Alan.G and Ian.B had a very close tussle for the first full lap before Alan.G finally pulled through into the lead. Nick Lovell (Ouse A S C) and Graham Nelson (Ouse ASC) both passed Alan.S  leaving Gary Hogan (Haversham SC), Roger Wallis (South Yorkshire SC) and David New (Paxton Lakes) in the end positions, Roger.W and David.N battling it out throughout the four laps.

  Alan.G crossed the line in first place - without a sound signal - and on coming ashore  discovered he had been OCS. Somewhat annoyed that he had not been informed earlier he took no further part in the event. This left Ian.B to take the honours ahead of Veronica.F and Nick.L
  Race two, after a lunch break, was run over a slightly adjusted course – the wind having made a minor shift in direction but still at the top end of a force four. Ian Bradley was first to start and pulled out fair lead from Veronica Falat With Nick Lovell in third spot. In fourth position Graham Nelson stayed ahead of Gary Hogan whilst Alan Simmons finally got past David New in lap three and Roger Wallis brought up the rear.

  After a short break race three got under way with a further small tweak to the course. Ian Bradley shot over the start line with Veronica.F and then Nick.L both in close contention. At the back both Alan.S and Graham.N  got stuck in irons in some very strong (force six?) gusts. These gusts continued down the course to the second gybe and first Ian.B then just about every one bar Veronica.F went for a swim. Alan.S lost his daggerboard and was unable to right his dinghy – until helped into the reeds by the rescue boat. Gary.H also had several capsizes and gave it best as did David New and Roger Wallis.
  Nick Lovell, having recovered from his dip, went on to pass Veronica.F and win the race. Ian.B also got sailing again but could not improve on third place whilst Graham.N took fourth and, as it happens, last place.
  Ian B was overall winner of the meeting with Nick L in second spot on equal points with Veronica.F. Nick, having won the final race, clinched the higher standing.

Results:-

 1 ^st. Ian Bradley, 2^nd. Nick Lovell, 3^rd.Veronica Falat,  4^th Graham Nelson,  5^th. GaryHogan,  6^th. Alan Simmons, 7^th.David New, 8^th. Roger Wallis, 9^th. Alan Gillard.

Streaker Ramblings - Weston SC Streaker Open 22nd May 2011

In the middle of the night there were several almighty gusts of wind- nearly strong enough to knock us out of bed in our'Penthouse' suite. The morning looked a bit kinder with a fiar bit of blue sky but as we set off for the Solent I was rather doubtfull that I would go afloat today. The tops of the trees were bending almost to the ground. On arrival at the club we spotted at least one other Streaker, hitched to a rather large wagon that I did not recognise. A qiuck dash to the clubhouse - for a bit of light relief - found quite a few bodies there already.
Saturday had been the first of what was to be a two day event for Lasers, Supernovas, Lightnings and Europes - as we were to learn later they all managed three races in a nice top end force 3.
So there was yours truely, Gary Hogan from Haversham SC  and Helen Audsley from Hill Head SC and like the rest assembled no one was that keen to sail. The reports were for gust up to 30 knots and the steadier breeze of 17/18 knots. Using my hand held device I registerd up to 15 knots at the sea end of the slipway adjacent to the clubhouse. Shortly after 12 noon the race officer, have taken a straw poll, decided that there would be no sailing and that other than waiting for the Saturday's racing prizes, we could all go home.
There were quite a few yachts going up and down Southampton water

 - including this tall ship - quite a large proportion under foresail only. On reaching Lancing  SC - to repark the boat - we learned that there had been no sailing either in the Laser Open planned for the day.
Hopefully we shall have more suitable weather for the next meet on the Calandar at Ouse ASC.
Alan.S 1700

Streaker Ramblings - Bough Beech SC 26.03.2011

Sorry that this is a bit late coming but apart from failing to bring home the results on the day we have been off on the Trent & Mersey canal for a week’s break – even got suntanned!

There was a grey overcast sky and no breeze as we set off from Hove, on 26th March, to take the ‘country’ route up to Bough Beech for the opening Streaker Southern Area Paddle event. On arrival, for this meeting held in conjunction with a Laser event, we found seven other Streakers present – Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) finally arrived, just in the nick of time. There was just the hint of a breeze blowing from the launching area straight across the lake – east to west – with the committee boat moored on the far side. A slightly strange course was laid with an initial beat followed by a short run back towards the start - but short of it – then a further beat and two reaches.

Most of the nine strong Streaker fleet started towards the port end of the line but Alan Simmons(Lancing SC) was at the committee boat end and tacked off on the starboard side of the beat to arrive at the top mark just ahead of Frank Catt (Downs SC). Unfortunately he then headed for the wrong mark at the end of the run - the real one was partly obscured by Lasers on their way back up to the top mark - and ended up losing three places from which he never recovered. Ian Bradley ended up chasing Frank Catt and Veronica.Falat (W&OB YC) who had all slipped through Alan.S. Ian.B eventually caught and passingFrank C and Veronica.F to take first place across the line at the conclusion of two laps – this after recovering from a capsize and inversion when he got caught up in his mainsheet.

Race 2, back to back, started with Ian.B taking an early lead and pulling away from Veronica.F who was having her own tusssle with Alan.S. Frank.C meanwhile had an early case of 720 degree turns and then got caught out by the wind shifts finishing in 5th place behind Steve Garrett (BBSC). It was ian who took top spot once more.
Race 3, after a break for lunch and in little better breeze, was delayed whilst the somewhat over anxious Lasers had a general recall and they had to re-start before the Streaker fleet. Ian.B soon took the lead followed by Frank.C just ahead of Veronica.F. Matthew Whitield (Tamworth) slipped in to 4th spot with Alan.S left in 5th in the very slightly stronger breeze.

These three races constituted the Paddle races but there was to be a fourth race back to back with the third and yet again it was Ian.B who soon took and held the lead to the finish. Second and third places were hot contested between Frank.C and Veronica.F who finished in that order whilst Ian Whitfield (Tamworth) took 4th place ahead of son Matthew and Steve.G leaving Alan.S to plod home in 7th.
It had been a pleasant if somewhat trying day with very shifty conditions which left the two remaining competitiors, Jeremey Daniel(BBSC) and Gary Hogan (HavershamSC), somewhat adrift at the back of the fleet although Jeremy.D did get a 5th place in the first race of the day.

Results:-
1st. Ian Bradley, 2nd, Frank Catt, 3rd Veronica Falat, 4th Alan Simmons, 5th Matthew Whitfield, 6th Steve Garrett, 7th Ian Whitfield, 8th Jeremy Daniel, 9th Gary Hogan.

My next report/blog should have been for Tamworth on 9th of April but we did not attend, being not too far away but on the canal near Burton on Trent. You should find a report on the Streaker web site or on the Yachts and Yachting site (http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=156554)
Alan.S 1700
PS. Rooster Sailing are sponsoring the Southern Area Paddle series and a new sail is to be won in the free lottery for which a ticket is given to each competitor in each race sailed – the more races sailed the greater the chance of winning.
The next event on the Southern Calendar is Weston SC (Southampton Water) on Sunday 22nd May – watch this space.

Elford Numbum Race 9 -27-02-2011

Bluish Skies with 80% high grey clouds, not very warm in a Norterly breeze as we headed off to Piddinghoe for the final race of this year’s Numbum series.
Kay set the course, in a breeze of force 2 to 3, with the first leg along the northern side of the pond (more like a close fetch) to a turning buoy in the north east corner – by the bay – followed by a run to the south of the Island. Turning the mark there it was a beat back towards the north east and turning that mark it was off, east of the Island to the south east corner. From there to the finish it was a beat – one legged for the most close winded boats.
With the start in the shadow of the club room it was a bit ragged at the gun, only Roger McAll (Laser full rig- NSSC) was actually going in the correct direction and carrying enough momentum. Next off was Darren Field (Laser Radial – NSSC) and then , a little to windward, Michael Veale and Mike Rosier in their RS200 (NSSC). Bill Wates (NSSC), sailing a full rig Laser for a change was next ahead of Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) and bringing up the rear was Chas Humphries (NSSC) sailing his Laser also with a changed rig – the Radial one this time.

Paul.R had a lot of catching up to do and it was not until lap 4 that he finally caught and passed the leader Roger.Mc. In the meanwhile Darren.F was having a battle royal with Michael.V in the RS 200 – using his spinnaker on the two downwind legs – first one then the other ahead until lap 5 when Darren began to pull away.
The pair at the rear were also having a bit of a ding dong with Bill ahead of Chas initially, being passed in lap 3 and then losing out again on the following lap.
Having passed Roger, Paul began to pull away at the front of the fleet but in the final lap his mainsheet block decided it had had enough and pulled out of it’s swivel fitting on the deck. This slowed Paul down quite a bit but he just managed to hold Roger off at the finish. Next home was Darren with Michael a little way behind, then Chas and finally Bill. No capsizes in this race although there were a couple of near misses but not from Bill this time, so that Alan.S in the safety boat had little to do.

Result (Preliminary/Unofficial) :-

1st. Paul Ryan, 2nd. Roger McAll, 3rd. Darren Field, 4th. Michael Veale, 5th.
Chas Humphries, 6th. Bill Wates,

At the prize giving which followed the racing it was Alan Simmons (Steaker – Lancing SC) who took the overall 1st Prize – the Elford Numbum Trophy - ahead of Paul Ryan in 2nd and third place went to Michael Veale who just pipped Bill Wates.

Bill, who ended out of main the prize list was a very worthy competitor (and Novice), having entered all nine races, only missing out a position in one when he failed to cross the finish line in error. Was awarded the RO’s special Trophy for his valliant efforts.

Our gratefull thanks were expressed to Kay our indefatigable (and long suffering) Race Officer (and Time Keeper) for her sterling efforts every week – since the beginning of last November - and she was presented with a floral tribute and a bottle of wine.
So that is the end of racing at Piddinghoe until next November. This series, unlike the pre Christmas Freeman Iceberg, had been Ice free, no races lost to foul wind or weather although some what stiffer breezes in the majority of races.

Alan.S 1700

PS. Those of you who have been kind enough to read my incessant spiels may be pleased to know that you are in for a short break – until the Streaker Southern Area Opens start with a meeting at Bough Beech in late March.
This blogsite was started initially, to cover my exploits/visits to away ‘games’ on the Streaker circuit to keep his fellow members at Lancing SC aware that there was life beyond the club boundaries.It seemed appropriate, however, to incorporate the summer and winter events at NSSC that he visited each year.

Elford Numbum Race 8 - 20.02.2011

Totally grey and fully overcast as we left Hove this morning. The Seaford Windguru was forecasting an easterly force 3 to 4 and for once this proved to be the case on arrival at Piddinghoe. It was cold but it stayed dry through the racing.
The course, starting at the twin buoys off the clubhouse consisted of an initial beat to the north east corner thence off on a run to the southern side of the Island. Following this there was a second beat, leaving the Island to starboard, to a mark towards the north east corner and then a second run to the south east corner of the pond to a a yellow mark. The final leg was a long fetch/reach up the southern side of the pond to the start mark.

Six boats went afloat and at the start it was Michael Veale (NSSC) sailing single handed in his RS 200 at the shore end with Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) to weather and Roger McAll (Laser full rig – NSSC) at the pin end - all in a line. Just behind were Laurence Venus (Streaker –NSSC), Darren Field (Laser Radial - NSSC) and Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC).
By the end of lap one Roger.Mc had taken the lead with Alan.S behind and Laurence.V very close behind with Darren.F in fourth spot.
By the end of the second lap Laurence had passed Alan and was in hot pursuit of Roger and after three laps caught and passed him on the second run. He also caught a bit of breeze and began to pull out a goodly lead leaving him unchallenged to the finish.
Meanwhile Alan kept catching up with Roger on the offwind legs only to lose out again upwind, where the Laser pointed so much higher, with Alan getting ahead in lap 4 only to drop back in lap 5, but finally climbing back in front for the critical laps 7 and 8.

Just behind, by mid race, Darren.F was being challenged by Michael.V but again the gap between them kept varying. Michael was using his Spinnaker but things did not always go quite right and he nearly had a spill in the final lap allowing Darren to pull well out ahead of him.
Bill W was plugging away in the background – no capsizes this week – and is gradually getting the hang of things, the lighter breezes of the day being much to his liking.
At the close of the race it was Laurence.V some 3.1/2 minutes out in front followed by Alan.S with Roger.Mc ½ minute behind him.
Results:- 1st Laurence Venus, 2nd. Alan Simmons, 3rd. Darren Field, 4th. Roger McAll,
5th. Michael Veale, 6th Bill Wates.
A very enjoyable race, not too much effort needed to keep the boats going – not exactly survival conditions – and time to concentrate on tactics a little. The breeze did begin to drop off a little as the race progressed so that the odd spurt no longer became possible.
Next Sunday – 27th February – is the final race of the series. – and Prizegiving.
Yours truly will be in the Safety boat.
Alan.S 1700.

Elford Numbum Race 7 - 13.02.2011

100% overcast, grey and with a sharp Southerly breeze blowing as we left home for Piddinghoe this morning. On the final approach there was a brightness in the sky to the south but it came to nothing and then we had rain during the racing. The breeze was forecast – Winguru – as force 5 but apart from in the gusts it was a, more manageable, top end 4.

The course was a short beat to the twin buoys off the club house in the north west corner (Entry Gate area) of the pond followed by a long fetch (should have been a reach but the wind changed after it had been laid) with a gybe round a mark south of the Island. Thence it was off on a dead run northwards, leaving the Island to starboard, to a mark well up the east side. Rounding that began a beat back, leaving the Island to port this time, to a mark in the far south corner of the pond. After another gybe round that it was back to the far north east corner and then a single sided beat back to the double buoy finish.

Five boats went afloat and at the start it was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) first away. At the double buoy Paul Ryan (Hardway SC) in his full rig Laser made a timely (just) tack onto starboard as Alan, also on starboard by then, had left just too much room. Just behind this pair Michael Veale with crew Mike Rosier (NSSC) in their RS 200 were up to windward but ahead of Roger McAll (NSSC) in his full rig Laser with Bill Wates (NSSC) in his Laser Radial bringing up the rear.
Paul.R led down the first fetch, in some very telling gusts, just ahead of Alan.S – who was in control of his boat some of the time – with Mike.V by then close behind. All three boats were initially on Port tack necessitating a gybe to round the next mark.

As this was being approached Paul.R gybed and snapped his tiller extension, leaving only 8” or 9” to handle his boat with. He headed for the south shore to try to find a replacement. Meanwhile Michael.V was also in trouble and gybed more than once before rounding the mark to start up the beat. Alan.S had no problems at this point and went into the lead. The gusty breeze also played havoc with both Roger.Mc and Bill.W who were both laid flat near the mark on this downwind leg.
Paul R found a replacement tiller with extension and re entered the race, having been effectively lapped by the rest of the fleet.
It was on the same leg and at the same mark that the next ‘incident’ occurred when Alan.S, in lap 2, having gybed onto Starboard to round the mark was almost attacked by Michael. V charging in on port tack. These two boats rounded the mark in very close proximity with Alan, obviously a bit miffed at the intrusion, calling for Michael to do turns - he not having right of way.
The boats separated, Alan holding on on Starboard, before tacking to pass the Island on its starboard side. Michael also tacked, a bit higher to windward but a bit further back, and fell in, leaving Alan to pull away and allowing Roger.Mc to also pass the RS 200.
This windward leg appears to have been Alan’s nemesis too as Roger.Mc , being able to sail a bit closer to the wind, passed him in lap 5 to take pole position, albeit 25 seconds ahead . Roger continued to pull away and was first to cross the line after 8 laps, some 1.1/2 minutes ahead. Alan also had a fright when a big gust nearly had him swimming on the penultimate fetch.

Alan was next home followed by Paul.R – Kay (RO) having taken mercy upon him and finished him at the end of his 7th lap – and then Michael.V. Last to finish was Bill.W but he reckoned that he could count his capsizes on one hand, rather than two last week.

Results (Unofficial/preliminary) :-

1st. Alan Simmons, 2nd. Roger McAll, 3rd. Micheal Veale and Mike Rosier, 4th. Bill Wates, 5th. Paul Ryan.

An enjoyable, if blustery race, a bit short on support entry wise but as usual excellently run by Kay and with Ian Lambert doing a great job single handedly on the safety boat.

With two more races to go in the series Alan.S is in the lead by 7.6 points from Paul.R with Bill.W in 3rd place ahead of Michael.V

Alan.S 1700

Elford Numbum Race 6 - 06.02.2011

At 9.00 am, normal leaving time for the trip to Piddinghoe, it was completely grey overcast and a stiff breeze was blowing from the South West. The ‘Windguru’ forecast for the day was 19 knots (a good top end force 5) and it was raining lightly, not an auspicious start. On arrival at the pond the safety boat crew were there and one other ‘potential’ sailor, Bill Wates. Alan Simmons fetched out his anenometer which read up to12 knots by the flagpole but one could see the gusts across the water and it was not inviting and he was not convinced that sailing, for him, was a good idea.. A hot coffee was called for and then Rupert Smith arrived – ‘but I haven’t got a boat’ were his first words. Just before 10.30 Paul Ryan arrived and it did appear that the wind had eased so there was a rush for the four of them to rig and sail.

The course Kay set was another figure of eight, similar to last Sunday, starting with a short beat (3 metres?) and then a run across the pond to the eastern side – dead downwind – to a mark just off the shore but north of the Island. The next leg was a beat to a mark in the southeast corner of the pond, followed by a very brisk reach towards the north east. The lap concluded with another beat along the northern side to the finish just off the clubhouse.

The start sequence commenced with Bill Wates (Laser Radial – NSSC) capsizing between the five and one minute sound signals. He recovered in time for the off but nobody else was really ready for it anyway. The first boat actually away was Rupert Smith (NSSC) sailing single handed in his Mirror but within seconds Paul Ryan (Laser full rig – Hardway SC) had passed him and was off on the run. Just behind them was Alan Simmons (Streaker – Lancing SC) and bringing up the rear was Bill.W.The breeze, at first reasonable, soon began to build again and the gusts came fast and furious from ever changing directions. This made both the upwind and downwind legs quite twitchy.

Paul R began to pull away from Alan.S who was struggling to keep control of his boat most of the time but somehow succeeded in staying upright until the last beat of his 6th lap. He never saw the gust that tipped him in and whilst attempting to recover went over again. By that time Paul.R, who had been sailing each lap in about 7 minutes, lapped him but on his own final lap he too suffered a knock down from which he quickly recovered, although he had more than enough time to beat Alan, the only other finisher.

Rupert .S who had been in 3rd spot on the water suffered a broken Kicker during his fifth lap and rapidly retired ashore – too dodgy to go downwind without that. Bill .W who had suffered his first invertion before the real start continued to practice this acytivity, was seen in the reeds at least once, could not remember if it was 8 or 10 capsizes in total and then missed out the finish mark – so he learnt after coming ashore - but still bore a grin from ear to ear.

Results (Unofficial/Preliminary) :-

1st. Paul Ryan, 2nd. Alan Simmons. Both Rupert Smith and Bill Wates did not finish.

The consensus was that this had been a very hard race and that it was time to go home for a recovery snooze.

Alan.S 1700.