Streaker Southern Championship 2026 at Burghfield Sailing Club

Enjoying the sunshine - Streaker Southern Championship at Burghfield © John Grey

It was tight at the top... three sailors all in contention right up to the final race of the 2026 Streaker Southern Championships at Burghfield Sailing Club, an event in the Rooster Super Series and HD Sails Southern Paddle Series.

Saturday 8 August dawned at Burghfield SC to clear blue skies and no wind. The forecast promised that the breeze was on its way and as the fifteen entrants rigged up in front of the clubhouse, the zephyrs were already starting to show across the lake.

By the time Rob Starling, Senior Race Officer, was giving his briefing under the club balcony, the wind had already swung round to the forecast southerly direction and was recording 8-10, gusting 10-12 knots. Out on the water it was a bit more variable and stability was the big issue for the SRO. A thirty minute on-the-water postponement was needed until the SRO could finally set the beat and start line and get the fleet under way.

Race One: Home club sailor John Cooper is new to the Streaker and was sailing a borrowed boat. For his first race, he got away quickly and by the time he reached the windward mark he had pulled out a commanding lead on the rest of the fleet. However, his inexperience in getting the most from a Streaker downwind showed, allowing the experienced chasing pack of James Dawes (Redditch SC), Neil Firth (Banbury SC) and Duncan Glen (Spinnaker SC) to wind him in and overtake him.

By the end of the second lap the fleet had pretty much split into two halves with James, Neil, Duncan and John being joined by Simon Beddows (Burghfield SC), Brenda Hoult (Hayling Island SC) in her new boat and Peter Blackman (Burghfield SC) in the front group. James took the lead and managed to fend off Duncan and Neil to take the first win of the day, with Duncan second and Neil third.

The intention was to complete two races before lunch, but after the delayed start and a good length first race, the SRO opted to send the fleet back in for a quick lunch and 'rehydration break'. That proved to be a good decision as the wind built further before the fleet returned to the water for what was now to be three afternoon races.

Race Two: With some jostling for position on the line, the fleet got away to a clean start and James, Neil and Duncan quickly established themselves at the front, with Brenda, Peter and John all in hot pursuit. The gusts were now more powerful and with occasional full planing conditions and several gybes, the downwind legs were tight and competitive.

This time, Neil established himself at the front taking line honours ahead of Duncan and James in second and third respectively. Brenda showed some strong downwind speed to overtake Peter and take fourth.

Race Three: Going into the third race it was all to play for, with the top three on equal points and the next three also only separated by a single point. The Committee Boat end of the line was hotly contested, and the race crew held their breath as some boats miraculously avoided contact at the start. Duncan and Neil got away well, with James, Brenda and Simon chasing hard.

This time it was Duncan's turn to take the bullet, closely followed by Neil in second. James would have taken third but did a penalty turn after touching the final leeward mark and slipped back down the order. Brenda, Simon, John and Peter all fought it out as they rounded the bottom mark for the last time to head up and cross the line, with Brenda taking third and Simon fourth.

Race Four: Going into the final race of the day it was 'winner takes all' for Neil, Duncan or James, as a win for any of them would secure overall victory. But, James's seventh in the third race meant that Brenda could now potentially topple him off the podium. Things were looking tense!!

As the fleet got away for the last time and rounded the windward mark, the wind started to ease. With a more shifty and variable beat, gaps started to open up. Neil Firth pulled out in front to take his second bullet of the day and with it overall victory in the Championship. Brenda crossed in second, her best result of the day, but with James crossing in third he had done enough to keep his podium place in third overall. Simon took a well earned fourth place, his second of the day.

(L-R) James Dawes 3rd, Neil Firth 1st, Duncan Glen 2nd - Streaker Southern Championship at Burghfield - photo © Peter Blackman

Duncan Glen only managed a fifth in the final race, but his previous win and two second places were enough for him to retain second place overall, ahead of James Dawes in third and Brenda Hoult in fourth.

Back in the clubhouse, Neil Firth (Banbury SC) was awarded the trophy and named 2026 Streaker Southern Champion. As the competitors downed the tea and cakes, everyone agreed that SRO Rob Starling and the Burghfield SC team had put on a great day of Streaker sailing both on and off the water. There were close battles taking place throughout the fleet in some exciting and sometimes testing conditions. Well done everyone!

Next up for Streaker travellers:

• 22 Aug - Arun YC - South East Series
• 5 Sep - Downs SC - HD Sails Southern Paddle Series
• 6 Sep - Ouse Amateur SC - East Anglian Series
• 12 Sep - Loch Tummel SC - HD Sails Scottish Series
• 19-20 Sep - Inland Championships at Grafham Water SC - Rooster Super Series

Southern Championship Results:

Rigged and ready - Streaker Southern Championship at Burghfield - photo © Peter Blackman