Streaker Open at Hunstanton Sailing Club

A long walk home across the sand as the fleet returns at dead low water during the Streaker open at Hunstanton © Bett Simmons

Nine Streakers journeyed to Hunstanton for the first of two days sailing in Norfolk, joining a fleet of Supernovas containing many friendly faces from last year's Nationals at Rutland.

In race one Tom Gillard set the tone by storming up the first beat to establish a lead of over a minute by the windward mark which he maintained for the rest of the race. Ian Bradley and Dave Smith kept each other amused throughout the race swapping places on a number of occasions with Bradley taking second at the line by a nose. Behind them Nick Lovell and Alan Gillard fought it out until Gillard got clear on the last downwind leg. The pack enjoyed close racing with numerous place changes, but the heat took its toll, the main victim being Graham Nelson who had to retire due to having locked his hat in the car.

After a significant delay while the fleet whistled for wind, race two saw Tom Gillard, Alan Gillard and Dave Smith sail away from the pack. Gary Hogan was relearning his boat having completely retuned his rig on the water while there was no wind, and as a result stayed in close contact with the pack.

With the tide fully out due to the delay between the first races, the race officer was concerned about the lack of water around the course but managed to lay on a single lap to decide the day between the three boats on equal points for second place overall. Everyone was very focussed on the start, meaning the fleet started even closer together than usual. It was neck and neck up the first beat with Tom Gillard, Ian Bradley and Nick Lovell being the close order at the windward mark closely followed by Dave Smith and Alan Gillard. At the wing mark the order remained the same, but seeing the supernovas tacking downwind ahead, Alan Gillard carried on at the gybe mark to look for a better downwind angle and suffered the frustration of watching the wind freshen to windward giving the rest of the streakers a reach to the final mark while he sat without wind. At the line, Tom gained his third bullet followed by Bradley.

Overall Results: