Streaker and Solution Open at Hykeham Sailing Club

Streakers and Solutions at Hykeham © Sam Mason

Streakers and Solutions at Hykeham © Sam Mason

Streakers and Solutions at Hykeham © Sam Mason

A windy and wet forecast probably kept numbers down for Hykehams Streaker open, this year shared with the Solution class. As it was eight Streakers and four Solutions from as far apart as Bough Beech in the south to Clevedon in the north came under starters orders with others never getting off their trailers.

Race one was sailed in a brisk 3-4 westerly breeze with threatening clouds and fairly major gusts. In the Solution fleet Nathan Batchelor,Clevedon, made the best of the start with Sam Davy, Hykeham, snapping at his heels and a slightly under the weather Kevin Clark, Delph in close attendance. Batchelor and Davy pulled away swapping positions all the time until the finish when Davy crossed the line marginally in front,

In the Streaker fleet Jonti Mason,Hykeham, demonstrated exactly how to start and led round the windward mark. unfortunately he could not withstand the pressure applied by first Ian Bradley Ouse amateur, then Steve Garrett, Bough Beech and the most of the fleet. Matt Whitfield after an indifferent start pulled through to third by the finish.

Race two saw more wind from the same direction and heavy rain (There's a surprise) at the start..

In the Solutions Sam Davy carried on from the previous race by taking an early lead this time hounded by local RS300 ace Luke Pepper sailing Batchelor's boat. This pair match raced for most of the race Until pepper felt the need to test the water quality at the gybe mark allowing Davy to cruise to victory.

The Streakers saw Bradley make an impeccable start only to be confounded by a huge and unkind windshift early in the first beat this allowed Steve Garrett to take a lead which he held until the finish Matt Whitfield secured second spot and held on to it despite pressure from the charging Bradley and Pete Tyerman, Pennine these four held those positions until the end. Increasing wind and yet more rain saw gear failure and retirements further back in the fleet.

Race three in the Solutions saw National 12 superstar Steve Sallis, Hykeham, sail Nathan Batchelor's boat while Batchelor sailed Kathryn Hayfield's and Pepper sailed Kevin Clarks. While the race team struggled with who was who Sallis sailed off into the distance while the others dropped out one at a time allowing Sallis to finish in splendid isolation

The Streakers had it all to play for and Whitfield made no mistake to lead from start to finish. Garrett and Bradley tussled in the early part of the race until youth and fittness triumphed and Garrett pulled away from Bradley to secure second place.

Overall results in the Streakers went to countback with Whitfield taking the meeting from Garrett and a tired Ian Bradley.

Overall Results:

Solutions
1st Sam Davey (Hykeham)
2nd Nathan Batchelor (Clevedon)

Streakers
1st Matt Whitfield (Tamworth)
2nd Steve Garrett (Bough Beech)
3rd Ian Bradley (Ouse Amateur)
4th Pete Tyerman (Pennine)