North West Norfolk Week 2023 Day 5

North West Norfolk Week 2023 day 5 © OASC

Day 5 of Norfolk Week saw the two fleets of National 12s and Allcomers sail in the morning and afternoon respectively at Ouse Amateur SC. Shifty and unreliable wind at points created challenging conditions for both fleets, with the course being a majority of reaches with a couple of very small upwind legs.

National 12s - Race 1:

The fifth day of racing at Norfolk Week saw 12-19kts, and nine National 12s set out onto the water at Ouse Amateur SC. Challenging wind conditions meant a rather chaotic start line which saw a great start from locals Dave Cooper and Joseph Pembrey (N3294) and they began to sail away from the fleet but were quickly overtaken by Alex and Ian Gore in N3551. (Despite Ian & Alex breaking their mast yesterday, George & Lucy Finch offered them N3551 - George & Lucy are "on a family holiday in Norfolk at the same time as Norfolk Week, so aren't doing all the sailing).

They quickly gathered a lead which extended throughout the race. After snagging the mainsheet on a block, N3531 (Steve and Joanne Sallis) had a disappointing start, however managed to recover to a second place finish after an impressive sail from the back. A battle for third between N3502 (Tim and Chris Hampshire) and N3528 (Pete Miatt and Sam Harris) led to Pete and Sam gaining a 3rd place finish. N3502 (Tim and Chris Hampshire) finished closely behind and 5th place was N3499 (Philip David and Rosie Gore).

Rob and Harley Ford (N3459) followed closely behind in 6th place after losing out due to hitting a buoy earlier in the race. Heading up the back of the fleet was N3524 (Graham Ireland and Susie Sallis) and N2957 (John and Catherine Sears).

National 12s - Race 2:

Some confusion between races saw N3502 (Tim and Chris Hampshire) and N3499 (Philip David and Rosie Gore) complete an extra unneeded lap and miss the second start however they soon caught up to the rest of the fleet. Following a great start, Ian and Alex Gore (N3551) once again gathered a lengthy lead. Despite Steve falling out of the boat on the start line, N3531 (Steve and Joanne Sallis) quickly overtook the fleet and went into second again. s

A battle for third between N3502 (Tim and Chris Hampshire) and N3499 (Philip David and Rosie Gore) ultimately resulted in N3502 securing third place with N3499 close behind. A tie resulted in joint 6th place with N3459 (Rob and Harley Ford) and N2957 (John and Catherine Sears). Overall great sailing was had by all with close racing and an interesting course.

Allcomers:

The allcomers fleet set off in the afternoon, after the 12s launching and racing in the morning. The fleet consisted of an 14 boats, with a varied selection of designs consisting of Solo, Streaker, Laser, Supernova, OK, Europe, RS300 and RS Aero 7.

The first race saw a full start line, with a large collection of boats heading towards the first mark. Streaker 833, sailed by Ian Gore (borrowing a Streaker from Ouse), made a good start, with Streaker 1734 (Jack Gore) hot on his heels. Duncan Ellis also made a good start, with the fleet being quickly led by RS300 sailor Sam Davey. RS Aero 7 (Hugh Jones) then led the small group of Streakers, a Europe (Jospeh Pembery) and an OK (Duncan Ellis).

The first 2 marks, (a reach, before hardening up by around 80 degrees then to bear around again about 10 metres up) then created some carnage. Streaker 1564 hit Laser 215377 (on Starboard) and had to do turns. Jack Gore (1734) also hit the first mark and had to do a 360. The wind periodically dropped and gusted in certain places, leading to place changes happening all over the course.

Supernova 1020 (Stuart Moore) sailed through the fleet after a disappointing start, however, couldn't quite pip Streaker 1734 to 5thon the water. The RS300 did an extra lap, with the rest of the boats doing 4 laps. Ian Bradley and Duncan Ellis began to catch Ian Gore before the line, but 833 retained the place. Rs Aero 7 won the first race, with Sam Davy in 2ndin his RS300, with Streaker 833 (Ian Gore) rounding off the top 3.

Race 2 saw the same course and similar conditions to R1. Jack Gore and Duncan Ellis (Streaker and OK respectively) had fantastic starts, however, were both quickly caught and overtaken by the RS300 and Aero 7 (1492). Streaker 833 also began to catch up the group in front. Solo 4278 (Harry Yarwood) made an initially good start, but sadly quickly fell behind due to the boat's ideal conditions not being those of Ouse.

Streaker 2121 (Ian Bradley) was over the line by what must've been an inch, however, didn't hear the horn until the SB notified him at the other end of the course, leading to his ultimate retirement from R2. Streaker 833 managed to pass 1734 after a capsize, with the Supernova of 1020 also getting past. The group behind 1734 also began to catch as the race continued but couldn't quite pass.

Local sailor 199 in the Europe did well in the race, keeping pace with Graham Ireland and Richard Major in the lasers. The same results as R1 showed the skill of these sailors in the tricky conditions.

Sadly the racing for Day 6 at Overy Staithe was cancelled due to a very strong northerly wind and big tide.

Find the results here: www.norfolkweek.co.uk/results-2023