Streaker Open at Lancing Sailing Club

Due to grey skies, heavy drizzle, force 6 to 7 westerly winds and a very heavy surf, the Race Officer gathered potential competitor opinion and decided to postpone racing until after lunch in the hope of improving conditions.

At 2 pm the Laser IIs (joint meeting) were sent away on an Olympic style course and five minutes later the Streakers set off on a reduced inner course in a top end force 5 and decidedly lumpy seas.

Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) showed great speed upwind to round the windward mark ahead of Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) and roar off on the first reach.

Alastair Fry (Sheffield Vikings SC) experiencing his first taste of sea sailing discovered the disadvantage of his boat's lack of false floor when he was swamped by a huge breaking wave and eventually had to capsize to get rid of the water. His attempt to bear off with a boat full of sea had led to his boat starting to submarine! He eventually got back into the race only to succumb to another, unintended, capsize when he flipped during the downwind leg of the course.

Ian Bradley went on to win the race by a substantial margin ahead of Alan Simmons. Alastair Fly failed to finish and as the others had decided enough was enough for the day he was left to get ashore in the increasingly heavy surf only to broach on arrival (in spite of the efforts of the awaiting beach party) and suffer a bent mast.

Day two dawned looking just a little better - only middle force 5 but still grey and miserable. As the boats were rigging on the shore this got up to force 6 and began to raise yet another big sea.

Alister decided not to risk his boat further (with the nationals due at the end of the week) which left just Ian and Alan to start race 2 (together with a couple of club Laser Radials racing in the club's A & O Regatta).

Ian shot off again leaving Alan well in his wake and after some very exiciting reaches, and a somewhat terrifying run, took the finishing gun. Alan got the best of the start of the third (and final) race until, within a few yards, discovered that his traveller had become uncleated. Ian swiftly passed him to estasblish his usual impregnable lead.

The planned afternoon racing was abandoned, due to the wind strength staying the same and the increasing sea / surf state, leaving Ian as overall winner with three top places.

Overall Results:

1st Ian Bradley (Ouse ASC) 3 points
2nd Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) 6 points
3rd Alastair Fry (Sheffield Vikings SC) 17 points