In the end some 14 Streakers went afloat for the first of two back to back morning races. Starting from a committee boat in mid lake we were off on a windward leg almost to the south end of the lake, followed by a run back northand then a short reachbefor starting the windward leg again leading throught the gate at the committee boat. First away were Alan Gillard (Sheffield Vikings) and Mike Hanes (Deben YC) hotly pursued by Veronica Falat (Waveney & Oulton Broad YC), Ian and Mathew Whitfield (Tamworth SC), Nick Lovell (Ouse Ameteur SC) and Alan Robinson (Blakeney SC).
Alan. G and Mike.H were having a great battle, both pulling out well ahead of the pusuing bunch. Mike eventually got in front only to receive no signal as he crossed the finish line having been over at the start. Matthew.W was next home ahead of Veronica.F and then Nick. L Alan Simmons (Lancing SC) despite being fairly well up in the early stages of the race found the going rather too much and dropped back to 9th place behind Gary Hogan (Haversham SC) and Paul Cooper Alton Water SC). Chris Sear (Royal Harwich SC) in his rather elderly boat ( with original Holt allen Round section mast and boom) came in tenth with Steve Long (Alton Water SC) in an even older boat bringing up the rear.
Ian Mansfield (Alton Water SC) suffered a lost or broken mainsheet block meaning that he had to go ashore and miss the first race Whilst Roger Smith (Deben YC) did not start in the first race.
Race two started on a slightly modified course with the windward mark a wee bit north and east of the previous position. Again it was Alan.G taking the lead almost at the start with Nick. M in second spot with Matthew.W again ahead of his dad. Veronica. F was up in the leading pack until the penultimate lap when she lost her rudder just after the jybe onto the reach. It did not come right off but in a jamed position made it almos impossible for her to right the boat, even with eventually the help of the safety boat and she then failed to finish. Mike. H did not have such a good start and could do no better than 4th this time. Alan.S could only manage 8th place behind Ian.M but ahead of Gary.H this time and with a further three behind him.
The third race, after lunch was held in slightly less strong breezes, over the same course as previuosly, the direction had not altered. Yet once more Alan.G led from the front but having won the meeting quit the ‘field’ early leaving Mike.H to go in front with Veronica.F hard on his heels and Nick.L behind her. Yet again Matthew.W led his dad home. Alan.S had a lenghthy battle with Ian.M only to lose out in the last lap but still with four boats behind. Alan.R and Roger.S did not sail in this race.
Whilst Alan Gillard had convincingly won the event there were three helms on equal points vying for second place overall and is was down to the postions in the final race to sort out the order.
Reusults:-
1st. Alan Gillard, 2nd. Mike Hanes, 3rd. Veronica Falat, 4th Nick Lovel, 5th. Matthew Whitfield, 6th.Ian Whitfield, 7th. Alan Robinson, 8th. Ian Mansfield, 9th. Alan Simmons, 10th. Gary Hogan, 11th. Paul Cooper, 12th. Chris Sear, 13th. Steve Long, 14th Roger Smith.
As this was the last race in the Southern Area Paddle Series there were prizes to be awarded to those competitors who had sufficient race to qualify. Top spot went to the class Secretary Veronica Falat with Nick Lovell in second place, Alan Simmons in third and Gary Hogan in fourth.
This is my last Streaker Open Meeting blog for the year but starting on 6th November ( which I will prbably miss) is the Freeman Iceberg at Piddinghoe – a Menagerie Fleet Open Series which runs up to and including Boxing Day, After that a New Years Day race and then the Numbum Series in January and February, all or nearly all of which I hope to report on at this blog site.
Alan.S 1700
