Noble Marine Streaker National Championship 2026 at Sunderland Yacht Club - Form Guide
by Neil Firth 8 Jul 18:20 BST
10-12 July 2026
Martin Penty, the one to beat at the Noble Marine Streaker Nationals © Paul Sanwell / OPP
The Streaker fleet is heading to Sunderland Yacht Club this weekend to
escape the worst of the latest heatwave... and to contest the Noble
Marine Streaker National Championships. Here's our form guide, so you
can place your bets before the event kicks off on Friday.
Glancing at the entry list, it's hard to look past three-times
National Champion, Martin Penty (Beaver SC). On two of those
occasions he beat Tom Gillard to the title so, with Tom away at
Salcombe in his Merlin, there'll be plenty of people backing Martin to
win at Sunderland 2026.
But don't expect Martin to have it all his own way. His biggest
challenge is likely to come from Beaver's young(er) hot-shots, Ollie
Groves, Richard Hanby and Giles Therkelsen-Smith. Ollie is an
Endeavour Trophy winner; he and Richard both have top form in other
competitive classes, Ollie in the RS400 and the 2000 and Richard in
the RS300.
Meanwhile, Giles is a Streaker specialist, honing his
skills against the super-competitive Beaver fleet at every
opportunity. He knows he can take a race or two from Martin and at
some point the Apprentice will become the Master!
You'll have gathered by now, we expect a strong showing from Beaver
SC, with every possibility they could clean-sweep the podium. But who
could spoil their party?
Two-times Nationals Champion, Ian Jones (Dovestone SC), has been out
of the fleet for several years, focussing on (and winning) the ILCA
Masters. He could be one to watch, especially as he's sailing the
Gillard's Nationals-winning Streaker; no excuses, Ian!
We also reckon Pete Gray (Staunton Harold SC) and Steve Blackburn
(West Lancs YC) could cause an upset, although they both have form
more often as bridesmaids than brides! And how about the Broadstairs
SC gang? Lee Goodey and Dave Adams should be competitive on the open
waters of Seaburn Bay, as if it's their home event!
Elsewhere in the fleet, Allen Sailing will be supporting the Silver
and Bronze fleets, helping to ensure competitive and enjoyable racing
throughout the fleet. Wendy Jones (Dovestone SC) is our hot tip to
take First Lady and probably Silver fleet honours, although Ceri
Thomas (Broadstairs SC) and Neil Parkhurst (Beaver SC) may disagree!
The Bronze fleet looks wide-open, but if we had to pick a winner we
quite fancy Stuart Burnett (Beaver SC). A couple of other likely
contenders for Bronze fleet honours are Ian Whitfield (Tamworth SC)
and Sandy Mill (Shotwick Lake SC).
Of course the Streaker Nationals isn't only about the racing. The
social highlight will be Hartley Boats Bingo before World Cup football
on Saturday evening. The cup may (or may not) be 'coming home' but,
for one lucky sailor, a brand new Hartley Boats Streaker mainsail
definitely will be!
The Noble Marine Streaker National Championship runs over three days
from Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July. Our reporters will be there to
bring you news of all the action as it unfolds.