Streaker open meeting at Yeadon Sailing Club

Northern Paddle Series comes to Yeadon © John Cheetham

Northern Paddle Series comes to Yeadon © John Cheetham

Northern Paddle Series comes to Yeadon © John Cheetham

A dull morning without much wind greeted a very good turnout of Streaker sailors. With eleven visitors representing eight clubs, these were Tees and Hartlepool, Welton, Pennine, Sheffield Viking, Hollingsworth, Ripon, Scammonden, and Rotherham plus four home sailors.

A well organised National Twelve fleet headed by Tim Gatti O.O.D and his assistants Tony Dufton (Heron fleet) and Howard Chadwick did a splendid if difficult job with the wind conditions and made for a good days racing.

Race one: As would be the pattern for the three races Alan Gillard Sheffield Viking S.C. dominated this race with some skilful sailing, but just behind him a battle was being closely fought for the remaining places between Sally Ratcliffe and Ian Lees ScammondenS.C, Chris Wright Ripon S.C. and Peter Tyerman Pennine S.C. Sally held her place for lap two but fell back to eventually finish third on the third and final lap, Ian moving to second and Chris holding on to fourth. It was now time for lunch, a very tasty hot meal was served by our usual four club ladies how they manage such splendid fare in such a small kitchen is remarkable.

Race two: The Easterly wind had strengthened and a change of course enabled us to complete five laps, Pete Cogill Rotherham S.C. had a great start but was unfortunate to sail to the wrong first mark and dropped back through the fleet, a problem perhaps of not knowing the Yeadon water. Past the line first for the part lap was Richard Long Hollingworth S.C. with Alan second, but by the end of lap one it was Alan and Ian first and second which they kept to the finish Alan with a very big lead. Peter together with Dave Smith Pennine third and fourth. Lap two saw Peter third again Dave had dropped back to be overtaken by Chris who had sailed well from eighth place on lap one, and by the finish overtook Peter for third place.

Race Three: The wind had dropped again after refreshments and a change of course, but it was still strong enough for a good race. From the first lap it was Alan and Chris a position they would keep to the finish. A battle was going on for the minor placing's, Dave Butler, Welton S.C. who was well down on the second lap pulled up to third on lap three but was beaten to fourth by Chris at the finish. Further down the race very close together for the second and third laps it was Pete, Dave Smith, Ian and Peter Kitchen Tees and Hartlepool, but this group had split up by the final lap.

Top 6 open meeting results:

1st 1832, Alan Gillard, Sheffield Viking S.C.
2nd 1754, Chris Wright, Ripon S.C.
3rd 1784, Ian Lees, Scammonden S.C.
4th 1801, Peter Tyerman, Pennine S.C.
5th 1691, Dave Butler, Welton S.C.
6th 1683, Peter Cogill, Rotherham S.C.

The Northern Paddle Series special prizes Sponsored by Sail Register:

Richard Long, Hollingworth S.C.
Paul Metcalfe, Yeadon S.C.