On arising from bed just
before 8.00 am there were blue skies and just a light breeze – in spite of a
windy forecast. On arrival at Piddinghoe just before 9.30 am it was a different
story. Using a hand held anemometer the speeds were measured at between 16 and
26 knots and there were distinct, and breaking, waves ahead of a very gusty
wind from the eastern side of the pond and some nasty looking black clouds
overhead.
As normal in these conditions Michael Veale
and Mike Rosier began to prepare their RS 200 by which time Ed Thorburn acting
as RO, with Rupert Smith deciding it would be prudent to act as ARO, had
plotted a simple triangle course.
There were several other
helms present, Biill Wates, Roger McCall, Penelope Duncan and yours truly, all
thinking less about sailing and more about staying ashore. Paul Ryan turned up
a little later and also opted to ‘view’ rather than participate. Chris Foster
however decided to go afloat in his Laser – full rig - and young Ed Rollestone
reckoned that he could cope in his Oppie and thus with three signed on, the race
could proceed. With the RS 200 already
on the water and the other two launching the countdown went ahead at 10.30 am.
The two Mikes had been
storming around for quite a while and Chris had been round the pond once and
was just about to enter the starting area when his mast snapped off just above
deck. He was blown back onto the south shore.
Ed.R, in his Oppie, had launched
from the Windsurfer bay but then found it difficult, if not impossible, to
control his boat and ended up being blown onto the main pontoon on the south
bank. Ed.T then decided to abandon the start (and Race) as only the RS was
still sailing. The two Michaels continued to hare up and down – and over at
least once - before calling it a day.
This was not a good start
for the Elford Numbum Series but hopefully next Sunday will come with less
extreme winds, and perhaps a trifle warmer temperature.
Alan.S 1700
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