Bewl Valley SC Streaker Open 28 th October

…and they say sailing in October can’t be fun.

The occasion of the BVSC Open Handicap had been selected as the final event of the Streaker Southern Paddle for the year. Perhaps the forecast had put some people off, but personally I thought 20mph+ was worth turning out for even if it was promised to rain a bit. The Race Officer set a trapezoidal course which gave good sailing, with the occasional hazard of a capsized RS to avoid.

The Streakers had to negotiate their starting positions with the rest of the entrants for the handicap fleet, from a Gull to a bevy of Flying Fifteens. In the event, Ian Bradley, Graham Nelson and Ian Mansfield all got flying starts but a second gun drew Mansfield and Nelson back again allowing Bradley to establish a commanding lead up the first beat which was never threatened. Some keen racing took place for the other places, with Ian Mansfield showing good downwind speed to take second by a convincing margin. Race one was the only race where the rest of the handicap fleet got a look in, but the first three positions still went to our heroes. Local sailor Alex Reindoris found the conditions testing but acquitted himself well.

Race 2 saw Graham get another good start, with Ian Mansfield and Alan in close pursuit. The second beat saw Ian Bradley come through from fourth to second and then a missed tack by Graham allowed him to sneak into a lead which he stretched out to 2 minutes by virtue of good downwind speed. No-one is completely sure what happened to Alex, but we think he finished this race as well as Alan helped him to recover his boat.

After a fairly quick but excellent lunch it was back out to a little more wind which persuaded everyone except the Streakers to stay ashore. Another fine start from Graham and good upwind speed came to nought as his downwind speed was lacking compared to everyone else. Alan Simmons showed that he still enjoyed a blow by taking second from Ian Mansfield, but Ian Bradley scored a third win despite an impressive capsize to windward on the close reach. After this, the opportunity of a F6 lump of wind allowed Ian B to clock 16.0mph on his GPS over a considerable length of the pond.

The last race would decide second and third places. Graham decided that a hot cup of tea would be more fun than another race and headed in. The racing was much closer than in the earlier bouts, with Ian Bradley gradually pulling away while Alan and Ian battled it out. At the finish line it was so close that less than a boat length separated them, but Alan’s second place gave him second overall on placing in the final race. Alex had braved the water for the final race, and went well until a final capsize and inversion told him it was time to call it a day – keep practicing those gybes!

The prize giving was a little surprising as we all knew how we’d done, but the prizes were awarded in a wholly different order! The issues were resolved without strife however, and all parted amicably after Ian Bradley had been presented with the Southern Paddle for a second year. Despite the rather grotty weather, a good day’s racing was had by all on a good stretch of water which the locals regard as shifty: there were certainly some shifts, but I recommend they try South Yorkshire or Ulley sometime!

Results

1st Ian Bradley Ouse Amateur
2nd Alan Simmons Lancing
3rd Ian Mansfield Ardleigh
4th Graham Nelson Ouse Amateur
5th Alex Reindoris Bewl