Streaker Open at Rotherham Sailing Club
22nd September 2007 by Peter Cogill

12 visitors joined the Rotherham Sailing Club sailors in the club’s 50th Anniversary year Streaker Open which was the final event of the Streaker Northern Paddle Series. Everyone enjoyed a day of close racing in a steady breeze that was much stronger than the forecast 2mph.

In the first race Ian Bradley tried to gain the lead by starting on the wrong inner mark ahead of the rest of the fleet, but the OODs were awake and forced him to restart. Nick Lovell rounded the first mark in the lead from Tom Gillard last year’s open meeting winner, and Dav Smith. Tom Gillard eventually passed Nick Lovell and went on to win with the other two staying second and third. Behind these three, Mike and Dan Rimmer and Peter Cogill had a close race. Meanwhile Ian Bradley was working his way through the fleet and finished fourth followed by Dan Rimmer and Peter Cogill.

In the second race Tom Gillard lead from the first mark and continually extended his lead; followed by Dave Smith, Nick Lovell and Ian Bradley. On the second beat Ian Bradley passed Nick Lovell, and on the next lap both passed Dave Smith. Dan and Mike Rimmer had a close race, Mike passing Dan on the third lap.

 

At the first mark in the final race Dave Smith lead from Tom Gillard, Nick Lovell and Ian Bradley. Tom Gillard passed Dave Smith on the next lap and both left the fleet to fight for position. Place changes came thick and fast as Dan Rimmer passed Ian Bradley with Nick Lovell dropping to fifth on the second beat and Mike Rimmer passed Nick Lovell on the folowing beat and Ian Bradley got past both of them. On the fifth lap Nick Lovell passed both Rimmers to regain fourth and on the final lap Ian Bradley caught and passed Dave Smith to take second.

The clear winner was Tom Gillard (Sheffield Viking) 2pts with three bullets, Ian Bradley (Ouse Amateur SC) 4pts, Nick Lovell (Ouse Amateur SC) 5pts, Dave Smith (Welton) 6pts and Mike Rimmer (Hykeham) 9pts.

Finally Nick Lovell (last years Paddle Winner) presented The Streaker Class Northern Paddle to Ian Bradley (Ouse Amateur) who had amassed 16 first places during the year. Nick finished second with only a few less.