Streaker Northern Paddle and Yorkshire Series Open at Ripon Sailing Club

Three visiting boats from Rutland, Girton and Beaver SC joined 16 home boats for Ripon SC's annual Streaker Open, which was being run as part of the Northern Paddle and Yorkshire Series on Saturday 5th April.

Blue skies and sunshine greeted competitors along with a pleasant Force1-2 wind. The only problem was the direction, which was from the north, swinging easterly as the day went on. This made it hard for race officer Bernard Clark to set a long beat, but he made up for it by setting courses that utilised the whole of Farnham lake to give a challenge for everyone.

Close action at the windward mark during the Ripon Sailing Club Streaker Open - photo © Graham Lamond

The fleet got a clean getaway in the first race and a lucky break by Giles Therkelson-Smith from Beaver SC saw him first to the windward mark and escape downwind, hotly pursued by Alan Bishop from Girton SC. Although challenged at times by the chasing pack as everyone fell into and out of the various wind holes around the lake, they consolidated their positions at the finish, with Helen Voisey from Ripon SC in her new boat clinching third place.

There was a break for lunch and competitors were able to enjoy their meal sitting outside on the club verandah.

The wind had shifted over the break and the RO chose to move the start to the far end of the lake with the course again using all of the available water. This time it was Alan Bishop who triumphed over Giles Therkelson-Smith with Richard Brook from Ripon taking third.

Alan Bishop (2198) and Giles Therkelson-Smith (1982) battle it out in the final race of the Ripon Sailing Club Streaker Open - photo © Graham Lamond

It was all to play for going into the final race and Alan and Giles knew it. In a spectacular display, they both broke away from the fleet after the start and extended away for a thrilling duel with never more than a couple of boat lengths between them for the remainder of the race. Such was the intensity of their battle that they had extended a 400-yard lead over the rest of the fleet by the finish. In the end, wily experience saw Alan just clinch it from the youthful energy of Giles to give him the overall win. This time third was taken by former class chairman Ian Priest.

At the prize-giving, winner Alan Bishop thanked Ripon for hosting the event, especially the race and catering teams who had worked so hard to put on a great event. The day closed with competitors sharing a special birthday cake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this exciting and popular single-hander which still retains its appeal for both young and old around the country.

Overall Results:

Prize winners (l-r) James Ricketts (4th) Giles Therkelson-Smith (2nd) Alan Bishop (1st) Ian Priest (3rd) Richard Brook (5th) in the Ripon Sailing Club Streaker Open - photo © Graham Lamond