Streaker Open at Yeadon Sailing Club

Streakers at Yeadon © Neil McInnes

Thirteen Streakers attended the Yeadon SC Open together with the Solos. The wind was cool and blustery from the North, gusting force 4 or 5, blowing straight down the tarn. Race Officer Howard Chadwick from the N12 fleet gave us some long beats (long for us!) towards the airport with corresponding often planing reaches and runs back down to the clubhouse again.

Nick Lovell (national champion in 2003) from Ouse Amateurs got off to a head start and held the lead throughout the race. Dave Butler from Welton trailed him all the way to the finish but couldn't quite catch him. Yeadon's John Goodyear sailing a borrowed boat established himself in third place for two laps, with Chris Wright from Ripon on his tail. But Pete Tyerman from Pennine was gaining rapidly and took a well deserved third.

After a satisfying lunch, race 2 began with a change of course and slightly less wind, although the East side of the tarn where the wind bounced off a belt of trees could always cause surprises. Pete Tyerman had a better start and behind him a duel began between David Butler and Nick, with Nick gradually achieving second place and eventually forging his way into the lead, which he then held. David had to accept second place with Peter in third.

In Race 3 the wind backed, a Yeadon perogative, making our visitors think hard. Nick and David established themselves in first and second from start to finish. Steve Chilton from Yorkshire Ouse fought bravely into third position, only to be overtaken by Peter, who kept that place to the finish.

Dave Hinks, the Streaker Captain presented the prizes, thanking those club members who had lent their boats to other helms, which had contributed to the meetings success, and Nick Lovell the winner paid tribute to the Race Team for the excellent conduct of the meeting and the sterling work of the ladies in the kitchen.

Overall Results:

1st 1541, Nick Lovell (Ouse Amateurs)
2nd 1618, Dave Butler (Welton)
3rd 1586, Pete Tyerman (Pennine)
4th 1374, Chris Wright (Ripon)
5th 1470, John Goodyear (Yeadon)
6th 1481, John Southall (Yeadon)

Domestic Report

As is often the case, the heroic efforts of our local heroes often go unsung, eclipsed by the necessity of formulating our Race Reports for national exposure, mainly for the benefit of our most welcome visitors, who are often almost full time sailors.

So what happened at the back of the Fleet?

The star was without question John Goodyear, who, in a borrowed boat, achieved 5th place throughout the three races. What a pity we had visitors!

Denis Beard showed great promise, until he tried to jibe his boat like an Enterprise. He must enter again next year, and be more careful.

John Southall, in spite of his great age, showed great consistency, and came 6th. It’s time he sold that Laser.

Tim Hattersley started off very well, but lost ground as the wind abated.

Trevor Smith was also very consistent, a bit like Ben Ainslie.

Paul Metcalfe was also very persistent, but perhaps the initial gusty conditions did not suit him.

Rob Crossland started off nicely, had a bit of a rest in the second race, but attacked the third with renewed energy.

And David Hinks was just settling down to it in the second race, then perhaps fatigue prevented him from doing all three.

The most significant feature was that most of our local lads were not proper Streakers, but sailing in borrowed boats, and so must be congratulated on their performances, even if they were coerced into entering, at great cost!

Well done, Chaps!