Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech Sailing Club

Ian Gore leading the fleet - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech © Sarah Seddon

A fleet of 20 Streakers - almost all visiting boats - joined a similarly sized Solo turnout for the HD Sails Southern Paddle Series Open Meeting at Bough Beech SC on 18 April.

Competitors were greeted by sunshine and a light westerly, a notoriously fickle direction at this venue. Conditions proved as challenging as expected with large shifts as clouds passed through and wind strength ranging from fully hiked to near calm - placing a premium on both skill and good fortune.

James Dawes, second overall - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech - photo © Sarah Seddon

Race 1 got away on schedule under the U flag. James Dawes (Redditch SC), trialling a new HD sail, made an early break and was never headed. Ian Gore (Up River YC) worked through the fleet to secure second by mid-race and held the position to the finish. Behind them, Andy McIvor (Stone SC) and Lee Goodey (Broadstairs SC), sailing a brand-new Hartley for the first time, traded places throughout with McIvor just edging Goodey for third.

Ben Harris (Up River YC) dominated Race 2, stretching away to a commanding win. Behind him, Dawes, Goodey, Class Chair Neil Firth (Banbury SC), and Gore formed the main chasing pack. Gore again secured second, while Simon Beddows (Burghfield SC) sailed through to take third.

Ben Harris, third overall - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech - photo © Sarah Seddon

After lunch ashore, the fleet assembled for what proved to be a tricky third race. The wind collapsed moments before the start, leaving much of the fleet struggling to get off the line. As boats drifted up the beat, a new northerly breeze filled in from the right, threatening to eliminate the windward leg entirely. The Race Officer wisely abandoned.

Following a 30-minute delay, racing resumed, but with the 3:30pm last start deadline looming the race was shortened to two laps. In the compressed contest that followed, Gore took a narrow win from Harris, with Matt Whitfield (Tamworth SC) third.

Strong turnout - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech - photo © Sarah Seddon

The final race sequence began as soon as the last boat finished, just before the cut-off, under a Black Flag. This caught out Harris and spoiled the chance of him improving on some excellent earlier results. Gore finished an excellent day with a start-to-finish victory. Dawes took second and Firth third, the pair of them having sailed most of the race in those positions.

With counting scores of 2,1,1, Gore secured overall victory. Dawes (1,4,2) finished second, with Harris (6,1,2) completing the podium. Firth was fourth overall and Goodey placed fifth. The results count towards the Streaker Southern Paddle and South East series.

Excellent racing - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech - photo © Sarah Seddon

Our thanks go to all the organisers and volunteers at Bough Beech SC for hosting a very well run and enjoyable event.

Next up:

• 25 April - Hornsea SC - North Sails Northern Paddle Series
• 9 May - Hunts SC - Midland Series and East Anglian Series
• 9 May - Margate YC - South East Series
• 9 May - Ripon SC - North Sails Northern Paddle Series

Ian Gore, overall winner - Streaker HD Sails Southern Paddle Series at Bough Beech - photo © Sarah Seddon

Overall Results: