Streaker Southern Championships at Alton Water Sports Centre
by Veronica Falat 15 Oct 2013 19:57 BST
12 October 2013
Streakers at Alton Water © Karen Langston
First the weather forecast was for gales and then for a flat calm so it was not surprising that the entry for the Streaker Southern Championships at Alton Water on Saturday 12th October had a disappointingly low entry of just 7 boats. However, the conditions turned out to be really quite pleasant (if you like light and shifty!) so those of us who did turn up were treated to a very nice day's racing. This was also the last event in this year's Pinnell & Bax sponsored Southern Paddle travellers series and Ian Bradley and Veronica Falat arrived as joint leaders, with exactly the same results to count.
In race 1 Alex Reindorp from Chipstead led at the first mark. Veronica rounded next with Ian Bradley close behind and these two were then involved in various luffing matches. As the race progressed Veronica pulled clear of Ian but couldn't catch Alex who took the win in fine style.
Race 2 was sailed in a slightly stronger breeze and the fleet was closely bunched for the first lap. Ian Bradley was the leader but couldn't open up a very safe margin and was constantly challenged by Mark Langston from Beccles. At the finish Mark was just inches behind Ian, with Veronica in third place and Ian Mansfield of the home club fourth.
After a short lunch break the deciding race of the series saw Ian Bradley and Veronica battling for the lead. For a brief period Veronica got ahead on a beat but couldn't keep Ian behind and eventually Ian took the win and so secured both the Southern Area Championship and the Southern Paddle. At the prize-giving the draw was made for the Pinnell & Bax Streaker sail; all class members had been awarded raffle tickets according to the number of Southern Paddle races they had entered this year and the lucky winner turned out to be one of the sailors present, Alan Simmons from Lancing SC. Veronica was runner-up in the Paddle series and Mark Langston was 3rd.
Alton Water did a great job in providing good racing and making the day so enjoyable.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Ian Bradley | 1817 | Ouse Amateur SC | ‑3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Alex Reindorp | 1819 | Chipstead SC | 1 | ‑6 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | Veronica Falat | 1654 | Waveney & Oulton Broad YC | 2 | ‑3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Mark Langston | 1789 | Beccles Amateur SC | (RET) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 5 | Ian Mansfield | 1723 | Alton Water SC | 4 | 4 | ‑7 | 8 |
| 6 | Alan Simmons | 1700 | Lancing SC | ‑5 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 7 | Nick Carter | 1828 | Burghfield SC | 6 | ‑7 | 6 | 12 |