by Veronica Falat
On April 22nd, for the first time in four years, the Streaker class returned to Bough Beech for an open meeting and eleven boats made the journey to sail on one of the nicest stretches of water in southern England. Not only did this count towards the North Sails Southern Paddle series but also as the class's Southern Championship and so was the first of this year's Rooster Super Series events.
On arrival there was sunshine but no wind. Wisely the race officer delayed racing until after lunch when, right on cue, a breeze developed and off we set.
With three other classes also racing, this had a pleasant regatta-type atmosphere and the race team was very efficient in course setting and getting the fleets started with the minimum of fuss.
In race 1 the breeze was still light and patchy. It was very tricky picking your way to the first mark with the wind shifting again and again. Simon Gillow made the best job of this and rounded first, ahead of Veronica Falat and these two gradually pulled away from the rest of the fleet and had a close race for the lead.
Eventually, at the final mark, Simon was able to tack immediately and, with a starboard lift, got to the finish line without tacking and so took the win. Neil Firth finished 3rd and Simon Cory 4th.
The breeze was stronger for race 2 but still shifty. Veronica started at the pin end of the line and carried on to the left-hand side of the course and then picked up a good lift when she tacked back on port and crossed the fleet. She held the lead to the finish while Neil took 2nd and Simon Gillow 3rd.
This meant that with a 2nd and a 1st, Veronica was leading on points but Neil and Simon G could both win overall if they won the third and final race. This was sailed in bright sunshine and a breeze slightly less in strength than race 2. Veronica again started at the pin end but it didn't work out well and at the first mark she was in 6th or 7th place while Simon G was leading the fleet down the reach, with Neil in 2nd place. However, by the final lap, Neil had lost out to Ian Bradley who was now hot on the heels of Simon G, and Veronica had come through the fleet to fight for third place.
On the run Ian moved to windward of Simon G who then luffed him which gave the following boats a chance to catch up and at the final mark of the race there were some five boats all tightly bunched. Veronica rounded just behind Simon G and prevented him from tacking, while Ian tacked early in the hope of laying the finishing line. Unfortunately for Ian he got headed while Veronica was now on starboard too and she just squeezed round the finish mark while Ian had to avoid both her and Simon G.
This meant that Veronica was the overall winner and that Simon Gillow was runner-up at his first Streaker open meeting which was very impressive. Neil Firth was 3rd and two wooden boats tied on points for 4th place - Simon Cory (who won the Southern Championship last year) in his 2-year old boat and Ian Bradley who was sailing his 45-year old boat (but with a modern rig)!
The next Streaker events on the calendar are the P&B Northern Paddle open at Beaver SC on April 29th and the Coastal Championships at Downs SC on May 13th -14th. The Coastal Championships will be the second of this year's Rooster Super Series and the first 3 races in it will also count towards the North Sails Southern Paddle.
| 
