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The course for the weekend was to be a triangle, sausage course with finish adjacent to the leeward mark, for quick race turn round. Unfortunately the wind direction for Saturdays racing meant the upwind leg was across the lake giving a relatively short beat.

Race 1 started at the 1st attempt with those boats at the pin end making the best start. Mike Hanes from Deben YC, took advantage of the swing of the wind to the port side of the course to round the 1st mark with a comfortable lead. Not comfortable enough as lying in 2nd was Tom Gillard from Sheffield Viking SC, who closed Mike down on the downwind legs before taking the lead up the 2nd beat. Tom and Mike held there positions to the finish. Behind, Steve Cockerill from Stokes Bay SC had been steadily improving his position in the race, although then he made an error going for a 5th lap when the leaders had already finished. This enabled Chris Catt from Downs SC to claim 3rd.

The civility of returning to shore for lunch was taken. Stewartby had arranged for a beach party, who found and brought to each sailor their trolley for easy recovery. Already, after just one race, stories of large wind shifts and holes in the wind where being talked about over lunch.

Race 2 was started under black flag. Who knows it could have been the chocolate cake at lunch that upset the Streaker sailor’s concentration for the 1st attempt at Race 2? When we did get going Dave Smith from Welton SC was leading over the starboard side of the course (club side) looking good on a starboard shift in his Lime Green Streaker (what was he thinking?); this was also being enjoyed (not the boat colour) by Ian Jones from Dovestone SC and Steve Cockerill. Closer to the windward mark and Tom Gillard had managed to play a couple of shifts himself which, enabled him to cross Dave, Steve and Ian and round the 1st mark in the lead. This was the last they and the rest of us saw of Tom Gillard who did a horizon job on the rest of the fleet. Dave Smith held onto 2nd place for a couple more laps but eventually Steve and Ian out shifted Dave on the penultimate beat. Tom won from Steve and then Ian, Dave finishing a well deserved 4th.

Race 3 sailed back to back with Race 2. There was a major shift on the 1st attempt so again away 2nd attempt although not under black flag. Well we were getting used to the sight of young Tom’s transom by now. That’s the way it turned out although Tom had left himself open on the 2nd beat when the wind disappeared and filled back in again just where Ian Jones happened to be. This reduced Tom’s lead for a while, but still won comfortably. Ian claimed 2nd by a good margin from Chris Catt who had worked his way through the fleet. Steve Cockerill had an indifferent race though, having retrieved his tiller extension which fell off the tiller on the 1st beat, he sailed well to claim 4th.

Day one over, thoughts turned to the footy later that evening. Stewartby had arranged for big screen in the bar so we could all cheer on our boys against the USA. A full on Hog Roast was on the menu, ample was served and eaten with relish, washed down with the local brew. The evening festivities completed by a quiz in the bar.

Day 2, Sunday and the wind had done a 180 degree turn, and had dropped to under a Force 2. A short delay whilst a cloud with some rain in it passed by that flattened the wind, only for the wind to then return.

Race 4, the fleet got away 1st time, the committee boat end being favourite. Robin Parsons from Deben YC took an early lead up a very light 1st beat. Ian Jones; OCS at the start recovered well with a quick loop around the committee boat and a tack to the right enabling him to pick up the filling in breeze. Not far behind but more to the middle of the course was Tom playing the shifts as usual too eventually around the 1st mark just in front of Robin and Ian. Tom did well to hold his lead down the next 2 legs as the wind filled in with the fleet. Robin got swallowed up by a group. Ian managed to stay out of trouble, enough for him to establish 2nd as he rounded inside Paul Burgoine from Tamworth SC and Alan Gillard from Sheffield Viking SC at the leeward mark. The wind was starting to establish itself a little more as the race progressed. Chris Catt pulled through to take 3rd behind Tom 1st and Ian 2nd. Paul held 4th and Alan got his best result of the weekend at 5th.

Race 5 and the Streaker fleet forgot its manners. To many boats reaching down the line caused a general recall. Under black flag the race got away at the 2nd attempt. The wind had started to increase to a good force 3. Steve Cockerill made the best start although also looking good for a second race was Robin Parsons and Dave Smith. Even so Tom Gillard was making sure he was to win all the races, he lead around the windward mark and did another disappearing act.

Ian Jones pulled through to finish 2nd whilst Chris Catt claimed 3rd. Paul Burgoine was enjoying the extra breeze in this race to finish 4th.

So the Streaker Nationals came to a close. For the 1st time in 3 years the class enjoyed all the races being sailed.

The Streaker Class has gained a new National Champion. Tom Gillard who with out any doubt, not only mastered the tricky conditions but showed he had boat speed to spare, many congratulations. The Streaker Class though can be proud of the quality of racing it is now becoming accustomed to through out the fleet.

The class trophies ensure that prizes are presented through out the fleet.

Trophies presented:

1st Overall, 1st Tom Gillard (Sheffield Viking SC)
1st Over 45, 4th Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay SC)
1st Over 55, 11th Dave Shuster (Deben YC)
1st Over 65, 7th Dave Smith (Welton SC)
1st Over 75, 36th Geoff Town (Broxbourne SC)
1st Lady, 15th Ruth Baker (Deben YC)
1st Silver Fleet, 20th Peter Collier (Bartley Green SC)
Altogether Shield, Deben YC Most improved, 8th Michael Hanes (Deben YC)
Concourse d’elegance, 21st Hugh Ambery (Blakeney SC)

The first 10 boats all received the customary glass tankards. Our extended thanks to all at Stewartby Water SC for the hard work and hospitality extended to the Streaker Fleet.

Overall Results: