Streaker Open at Bartley Sailing Club

Debbie Degge, winner of the Bartley Streaker Open © Neil Firth

Sunday 16th May was the first hosting of a Streaker Open at Bartley Sailing Club and the opening event of the 2021 Streaker North Sails Southern Paddle Series. The day was shared with the Albacore fleet, also a first for BSC.

The forecast of south to south east winds and showers meant the day was always going to be tricky for both the competitors and the race officer and team, and so it proved. Race 1 started with a huge wind shift whilst in sequence but was allowed to run. We started with the fleet on port fetching the windward mark followed by further off wind legs and finished after 1 lap. Debbie Degge won followed by Nigel Pepperdine and Colin Staite with Jasper Barnham and Neil Firth rounding out the top five.

Race 2 eventually got under way once the wind settled long enough to get the Albacores and Streakers away. At the windward mark Nigel led followed by Jasper and Colin. By the end of the run Colin led followed by Debbie and Jasper with Neil in fourth. After much place changing amongst the top five Colin won followed by Nigel, James Dawes, Jasper and Debbie.

After lunch battle was resumed with the same protagonists (minus Debbie). At the end of the first lap Colin led with a hard chasing pack of 4 boats close behind. After 2 1/2 laps Jasper won closely followed by Pete Gray and Colin with James 4th and Neil 5th, Howard Eeles finishing a credible 6th guesting in a borrowed boat.

Race 4 and there was all to play for especially with Debbie coming back out meaning there could be a number of different winners. Debbie got the jump on everyone to lead at the windward mark never to relinquish the lead, going on to a comfortable win. The chasing pack of Nigel, James, Colin, Jasper, Pete, Matt Whitfield, Neil Firth, Roger Pass and John Taylor did much place changing down the run in an increasing breeze and after 2 laps Jasper won the battle for second followed by Pete.

Overall after a tight days racing Debbie won with Jasper and Colin all tied on 7 points with Nigel on 9, James on 11 and Pete on 12. 5 points separated the top 6 proving how good the racing was in tricky conditions.

Thanks must go to Bartley Sailing Club for hosting the event and Mark Reddington for all of the organisation.

Overall Results: