by Veronica Falat
This year’s Streaker open meeting at Downs S.C. in Kent counted as the class’s Coastal Championships. This is held in years when the Nationals is held at an inland venue, as is the case in 2023.
The forecast was for a stiff breeze on Saturday and most of us decided on arrival to give it a miss! The northerly wind was already strong and really rather uninviting. However, some of the Downs Streaker fleet are made of sterner stuff and 3 of them launched, along with some intrepid Phantom sailors, for an afternoon of exciting sailing (and some swimming!). Simon Cory showed his mastery of the conditions with 3 race wins, ahead of Simon Herrington. Phil Halldron suffered a capsize in the first race and retired.
Fortunately conditions were much gentler on Sunday and the fleet of 12 Streakers took to the water in a very light north-easterly. The worry now was that the breeze would fade away completely and, on the sail out to the starting area, this seemed to be happening. However, it picked up again and the first race of the day was sailed in a patchy, shifty breeze. Chris Smith made an excellent start and was the early leader but, by the first mark, Simon Cory was leading with Veronica Falat close behind. These two gradually pulled away from the rest, with Veronica sneaking into the lead at the start of the second lap. The fitful breeze continued to favour her and she eventually won by a sizeable margin, while Simon had to hold off a challenge from Phil Halldron.
The race team reset the course for the next race as the breeze was clocking round to the east. This meant we were now beating across the tide rather than into it, so tidal considerations were becoming more complicated. Several boats were over the line at the start. Veronica saw some return but the recall flag stayed up, so rather late she sailed back to restart too and indeed she was the person they were waiting for! At the first mark Simon Cory was leading followed by a bunch including Simon Herrington, Julia Blackman and Richard White. Veronica was in the bunch behind that but was catching up and, on the run, managed to come through to 2nd place. The race was shortened part way through the second lap with Simon Cory 1st, Veronica 2nd and Julia a close 3rd.
For the final race the breeze had veered even further and again the course was reset. This time Veronica nailed the start and led throughout but Simon Cory was always close behind. Unfortunately for him the windward legs were now rather processional with the cross-tide helping the leader keep a cover on boats behind. Phil Halldron finished 3rd and Jeremy Daniell was 4th.
Overall, Simon Cory was the very worthy winner of the event with his 3 wins in the fresh conditions on Saturday plus a win and 2 seconds in Sunday’s light winds, and he was presented with the trophy by fellow competitor Julia Blackman (the club’s Rear Commodore) while Simon himself is the Commodore!
Thank you to all at Downs SC. The Saturday evening BBQ was excellent, as was the race team, and a special thank you to everyone who helped with the launching and recovery of boats. | 
