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 Streaker and Supernova Open - reports by David Baddeley

Streaker Open Saturday 14th June 2008

Eight visitors joined three club boats for the Ouse Amateur Streaker Open meeting sponsored by local brewer Elgoods of Wisbech with particularly appropriate prizes.
 

Sunshine and a light north westerly wind greeted the competitors as they arrived at the Saddlebow non-tidal sailing base of the club, one mile south of King’s Lynn and the main clubhouse of one of the oldest clubs that has been sailing continuously since it’s founding in 1881.

The first race got off to a good start with the three home boats leading the way. Positions were maintained by the first two boats but there was much changing of position in the rest of the fleet. Final positions were 1. 1541 Nick Lovell OASC, 2. 1619 Ian Bradley OASC 3. 1554 Mark Hill Welton SC.

(Photo by Bett Simmons)
After a break for lunch, the second and third races were sailed back to back. The wind shifted further to the west for the second race which necessitated a change of course. Ian Bradley made a perfect start sailing through a gap to cross the line at full speed. He led the fleet until rounding the last mark of the lap in the wrong direction left him working his way through the pack from last position to finally finish fourth. The wind picked up with some showers of rain bringing through a few squalls. As in the first race, the first couple of positions remained fixed with plenty of changes lower down the order. Final positions were 1. Mark Hill, 2. Nick Lovell, 3. 1591 Mike Hanes Deben YC.

The weather remained inconstant for the final race, the start of which was delayed due to a timing error which is becoming a tradition – the same thing happened during  last years Open. Mike Hanes led the fleet from the first mark to the finish line followed by half the fleet whose positions changed very little – all the action was at the back of the fleet in this race.A clap of thunder heralded the day’s biggest squall which was followed by the wind dropping sharply away to almost nothing, leaving the bottom half of the fleet to drift home. Final positions were 1. Mike Hanes 2. Nick Lovell 3. Ian Bradley.

Overall results:

Supernova Open Saturday 14th June 2008

Fifteen Supernovas made it to the start for an Open meeting sponsored, with particularly appropriate prizes, by local brewer Elgoods of Wisbech. Sailing was at the non-tidal sailing base of the club at  Saddlebow, one mile south of King’s Lynn and the main clubhouse of one of the oldest clubs that has been sailing continuously since its founding in 1881.
 

Pleasant sunshine and a light north westerly wind gave excellent conditions for the first race. Two boats were over at the first start in a close-packed fleet. By the end of the first lap the first three boats were firmly set in position with a few changes further down the fleet.  Final positions were:
1. 666 R. Pakes Haversham SC; 2. 687 M. Gibson Bartley SC; 3. 644 G. Tucker Haversham SC.

After a break for lunch, the second and third races were sailed back to back.

(Photo by Bett Simmons)
The second race was sailed to the accompaniment of rain and squalls. Tucker was first to the first mark but Pakes had established a good lead again by the end of the second lap, which he held to the line. The top three positions were exactly the same as in the first race.

A further change of wind to the south necessitated a change of course. Rain, lightning and a vicious squall enlivened the third race but this passed quickly leaving pleasant sun but almost no wind for the tail enders. Pakes had made a relaxed start – perhaps resting on his laurels – but worked his way steadily through the fleet to finish second, the fickle conditions proving a challenge to some. Final positions were 1. 687 M. Gibson Bartley SC 2. 666 R. Pakes Haversham SC,3. 644 G. Tucker Haversham SC.