Sail Register Streaker Northern Paddle Series at Hornsea Sailing Club

Round 2 of the Sail Register Northern Paddle Series © D Berger / C Cartwright

Round 2 of the Sail Register Northern Paddle Series © D Berger / C Cartwright

Saturday 20th April saw 21 travelling Streaker sailors join 6 from the host club for round 2 of the Sail Register sponsored Streaker Class Owners Association Northern Paddle Series. The event was blessed with sunshine and winds which varied in direction and strength from force 2 to a solid force 5.

There was a General recall on race 1; mainly caused by a significant wind shift and quite a short start line for the 27 eager Streaker sailors. After resetting his line PRO Dave Berger got the fleet away, John Burgoine, Phillip David and Stuart Hoare were all in contention at the 1st mark. There was a raft of Streakers as they all attempted to round the 2nd mark, the wind having strengthened from behind allowing for the fleet to close up. There were plenty of changes on the 2nd beat as the wind continued to shift; Alan Gillard played the left side to pull through and round in 2nd behind John. Phillip was holding on to 3rd although there was quite a battle close behind lead by Ian Lees and his club mate Ben Ratcliffe. On the final lap it was Alan that claimed the 1st with Philip David also pulling through John in the beat to the finish.

Race 2 was even shiftier than race 1; a change of course was not respected by the shifting breeze. Initially off the start line it looked as if the starboard end would be favoured, but as the gun went a major shift came in which saw the guys who were at the port end all cross the fleet on port. Dan Phillips took full advantage and sailed off from the rest to win the race convincingly. The wind though after this major shift continued to strengthen as the race progressed, by the time lap 1 was completed it was up to a solid force 5, white tops and all.

The race for a good number became survival stuff, whilst others were revelling in the conditions. Alan Gillard, one of those caught out by the wind shift at the start slowly pulled through to claim 2nd, followed by the consistent John Burgoine, Phillip David and Nick Lovell.

Again the race officer needed to change the course for race 3. A number of sailors decided that 2 races was enough for them but it was all still to be decided at the front.

The wind had finally steadied its self in direction, so what was the intended beat stayed that way. The race was away 1st time, lead by Nick Lovell at the windward mark closely followed by John Burgoine, Ian Whitfield and Alan Gillard. Alan passed Ian on the 1st reach. Whilst Nick and John battled for the lead they forgot which mark they should be going to next, advantage was fully taken by Alan who sailed off for the rest of the race to win by a comfortable margin. John won the battle with Nick to claim 2nd.

Yet again Hornsea SC on the east coast of Yorkshire showed what an excellent place Hornsea Mere is to sail, sunshine, wind and hospitality all in one event; fabulous.

Overall Results: