Streaker Northern & Southern Paddle Series at Tamworth Sailing Club
by Howard Frear 29 Mar 2012 13:39 BST
24 March 2012
The first race of both Northern and Southern Paddle Series got under way on Saturday 24th March 2012 at Tamworth Sailing Club. As the early morning fog began to lift, the Race Officer set a course to the wind which wasn’t coming from the forecasted direction. The wind, though fickle, continued to arrive in patches from the same general direction throughout the first race. This allowed several place changes including the top two boats swapping the lead 3 times and also allowed some of the Streakers to go and play with the Lasers who had started 5 minutes earlier. Alan Gillard took the finishing hoot with Paul Burgoine second.
Whilst sailors were enjoying an excellent lunchtime meal provided by TSC the wind swung to its forecasted direction much to the relief of the Race Officer who set a course which was used for races 2 and 3. Again the wind came and went, causing some close racing and some nerve-racking moments of never being quite far enough ahead to be safe.
Alan however, managed to gain an unassailable lead in race two and consequently decided to watch race three from the bankside.
The Burgoine family spread themselves through the fleet finishing 2nd Paul, 4th John, and 9th Ann. The Whitfields remained closer together with Matthew finishing one place ahead of Ian.
When all the sailors had settled down to their tea and cakes (or beer and crisps for the non-drivers), Tamworth Sailing Club awarded prizes to the top two boats in each fleet and fleet winners voiced their gratitude for Tamworth Sailing Club’s organising the event.
The Streaker Class Owners Association has decided to award a prize at each open meeting to the “first boat not awarded a prize by the host club and has not won this prize before”. Hence I am now the proud owner of the much coveted Streaker Burgee! Be warned however, this prize comes with an attached commitment – that you agree to writing the report on the day‘s racing for publication on the SCOA and YachtsandYachting.com websites.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm |
|---|
| 1 | 1691 | Alan Gillard |
| 2 | 1571 | Paul Burgoine |
| 3 | 1777 | Howard Frear |
| 4 | 1713 | John Burgoine |
| 5 | 1586 | Peter Tyerman |
| 6 | 1446 | Matthew Whitfield |
| 7 | 1548 | Ian Whitfield |
| 8 | 1757 | Gary Hogan |
| 9 | 1317 | Ann Burgoine |
| 10 | 1454 | Glyn Williams |
| 11 | 1255 | Rhea Burton |