Windy Streaker nationals at a very friendly club
by Steve Cockerill, Rooster Sailing 23 Jul 2009 02:10 AEST
18-19 July 2009
A small club with a big heart meets a little boat with impeccable manners
The Noble Marine sponsored Streaker Nationals, this year at Lancing Sailing Club, saw many new faces, together with some high calibre names from Topper sailing, Laser sailing, Solo sailing, Enterprise sailing... and even Streaker sailing! Unashamedly designed by Jack Holt as a lightweight alternative to the Solo, it is this reason that the Streaker has more recently been recognised as the opportunity for top youth talent to pitch themselves against the collective experience of these seasoned sailors.
At £4750, the Rooster Epoxy Streaker offers exceptional value for money for a boat with many benefits over the other singlehanders on the market.
- Good inland and sea performance.
- Simple, functional design.
- Mainsail on a halyard for easy rigging.
- Light (48kg) hull weight.
- Easily handled in most conditions - read on!
The nationals at Lancing last weekend were a great success for the fleet and attracted some 42 boats, 38 entries (some did not even enter looking at the weather on Saturday. This was down a little on last year due to the poor forecast. 32 boats experienced high wind racing on the Saturday and the chance to use one of the Rooster storm sails which make the boat sailable in even the most extreme conditions. This really is a little boat, with exceptional manners, which can be successfully sailed to Handicap inland and on the open sea.
With difficult beach conditions the lovely lady commodore, Isabelle Jackson was one of the extremely competent and enthusiastic beach party launching each boat like a bullet for a bracing charge through the surf.
Race one - saw the last of wind against tide which made the sea large and difficult to manage in the solid 25 knots. With a 10 degree port bias on the start line and with current underneath the sailors, it was the youthful exuberance of Harry Allerston getting him the best start - but slightly too good, clearly one boatlength over the start line near the pin. Tom Gillard won the pin and was leading the charge to the left with Steve Cockerill able to hold his lane out to the left, perhaps more favourable side for helpful current. Tom was using his light frame to good effect trying to get the boat to plane to windward. However when he tacked near the port tack lay-line, it was Steve Cockerill who was able to tack under Tom's lee bow. Steve then put his bow down into the now more challenging, more head on, waves and extend into a comfortable lead at the first mark. Ian Morgan, an established South Coast Laser sailor and Rooster Sails sail designer was also working hard on port tack, to leeward of Steve Cockerill which helped him follow Steve round the first mark ahead of the rest of the pack. Ian Morgan�s chase was curtailed at the bottom of the fourth lap where he dropped it on the gybe, with the unfortunate combination of low water and rough sea contributed to his mast bending and his subsequent retirement. Ian Jones came out of the pack having nailed every gybe to take 2nd from Alan Gillard who had grannied round every time. The oldies are the wise ones! New comer Chris Catt took line honours from Tom Gillard who had not lost a race this year. Noteworthy last finisher in 14th was Michael Shuster who at 13 battled round in these extreme conditions.
After an equally straightforward surf-borne recovery, a fantastic lunch was laid on and a slightly diminished fleet faced the rising breeze for the second race.
With 6 ladies competing and 2 completing the first race, the Rooster armoury was disclosed to reveal 'storm sails'. Seen not to offer a speed advantage this smaller cut of sail inspires confidence to stay upright whilst still displaying the sprightly manners now expected of the Streaker. Two ladies were convinced to try these sails for the second race - it certainly looked like sailing in a storm!
Race two - with the wind increasing to a solid force 6 with perhaps some gusts to force 7. Sailing around before the start it was apparent that the current had changed direction with the wind so thankfully the waves were much smaller.
Pre-race compass checks showed that the pin was at least 18 degrees bias which with the current made it almost impossible to cross on starboard tack from anywhere near the middle of the line. No surprises saw Steve Cockerill start on port at the pin with Tom Gillard also close-by also on port. Interestingly the race was by no means going to be normal. It become apparent that weed, looking more like fish netting, was everywhere at all levels in the water and what started off as white foils, quickly became brown ones! As Steve rounded the top mark he was seen to lift of the dagger board and shake off the rudder, not for the first time. However, it was not enough to continue to sail downwind at top speed, let alone safely. He was not alone as others were seen to make various odd manoeuvres. Many commented afterwards how the boat would move off again at full speed, but not for long. It was like the boat metamorphosised from a Streaker to a Bosun - and that is damming for a Bosun! Gybing was not on the agenda for the race leader, Steve Cockerill, when a grannie would ensure the dagger board could be pulled out and the rudder could be backed off in the manoeuvre. Alan Gillard was also wise to the weed problems and he also grannied round to reduce the weed to good effect, passing Ian Jones who was focused on nailing every gybe. Despite Ian's best efforts Alan's grannie technique proved the quicker round the course - it was almost like pit stops in a Formula One Race! An ever consistent Chris Catt once again took line honours from Tom Gillard as they both scored a 4th and 5th again. Sarah Kennedy who was one of the two girls who had taken Rooster Sailing's offer to borrow a storm sail, got round in good shape finishing 6th just behind Tom Gillard and propelling her to 1st lady and 7th overall.
Day Two
With reports from the starting yacht choosing to turn back into harbour due to huge waves and with a force 7-8 forecast, it was a wise decision to bin the racing for the final day.
Generous sponsorship by Noble Marine saw the presentation of prizes with bottles down to 7th place.
Isn't it time that you tried the Streaker? Call the Rooster Sailing on 01243 389997 to arrange a no obligation demo. With Rooster Epoxy Streakers finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and first lady, you can be confident of good speed around the course. Two prefect condition second hand Rooster Epoxy Streakers are available now! Its time to join the fun!