Streaker Open at Greensforge Sailing Club
by Ian Cooper 4 Apr 2010 15:32 HKT
3 April 2010
Streakers at Greensforge © Ian Cooper
Over the Easter weekend three visiting boats came to Calf Heath Reservoir, just south of Stafford, home to Greensforge Sailing Club to compete in the club’s eighth annual Streaker Open Meeting. There was a light wind, a little shifty, just like it normally is on our pool, but the weather was fair and the sun broke through, giving the prospect of a grand day’s sailing for these select five competitors.
Race one commenced from a transit start and GSC sailor Peter Baker had the perfect position on the pin end of the line. Ian Bradley from Ouse Amateur SC was having none of this and soon broke away, to lead at the windward mark. Peter didn’t improve his chances by hitting this mark, positioned in full view in front of the clubhouse. Alan Simmons, our regular long-distance visitor from Lancing S.C came through to second place, followed by Gary Hogan from Haversham. The fleet was well spaced apart by the end of the six laps, with Ian in a commanding lead and our Greensforge youth sailor Sam Frost-Huskisson not fully enjoying his first experience in a Streaker, bringing up the rear.
Lunch was taken, then race two began with dark clouds gathering, though the wind was still ‘variable’, though this was not the description used by some of the competitors. Again, this didn’t faze Mr Bradley, who once more got the little clean air to be had, and was away. He maintained he was lucky but it looked a pretty convincing display from this onlooker in the safety boat. The wind faded away to nothing and the OOD, Lyndon Beasley, took the sensible decision to abandon the last race, to the relief of the fleet.
Over the day’s racing Ian took the first place. With Alan and Gary both having a third and second place apiece, the rulebook states the best position in the last race sailed, takes the honours, so Gary was awarded second overall.
We have put in an order for a steady westerly Force 3 to 4 for next year – just like we did last year – but even in testing conditions those racing today had an enjoyable sail, or so they said as they headed home clutching their Easter Eggs and cut glass…
Overall Results:
1st Ian Bradley, 1619 (Ouse Amateur S.C.)
2nd Gary Hogan, 1687 (Faversham)
3rd Alan Simmons, 1700 (Lancing S.C.)
4th Peter Baker, 1508 (Greensforge S.C.)
5th Sam Frost-Huskisson, 176 (Greensforge S.C.)