HD Sails Northern Paddle Series
Midland Series
North West Series
by Jim Murie
Winsford Flash Sailing Club held its first ever Streaker open meeting on 11 October. This event was part of the 2025 HD Sails Northern Paddle Series.
In the heart of Cheshire, Winsford Flash SC has a 90 acre lake fed by the River Weaver which runs to the west side of the lake, separated by a bund.
With light winds forecast from very early in the week a low attendance was anticipated but a total of nine helms took to the water, seven from the home club (WFSC) were joined by Martin McKettrick from Southport SC and Dave Borrett from Beaver SC.
Saturday morning and the race briefing was given by the Race Officer Zoe Gooden assisted throughout the day by Jon Close, both from WFSC. Zoe is currently taking part in an initiative from RYA Cymru Wales, "Merched Y Mor" (Women of the Sea), to get more female race officers involved in our sport. She regularly mark-lays at events in North Wales and is often Race Officer at WFSC.
Race one, held in the morning and starting promptly at 11.00, saw 8 boats compete. Light wind of around 4 knots from the north-west, so the wind was running almost straight down the lake from north to south, with WFSC holding onto its reputation for tricky shifts as is usually the case on the water. At the start, Dave Borrett (Beaver SC) in 1864 got off to a great start and led.
At Mark 1, windward, the lead was held by Dave who had sailed to the west side of the lake, followed by Pete Coop (WFSC) in 2177 who went to the east side looking for more wind but who remained in second place at Mark 2, being led by Dave. Steve Bellamy (WFSC) in 1868 took third position at Marks 1 and 2 with the rest of the fleet being strung out behind, all helms desperately looking for any additional breeze available.
After one lap, Dave's lead was extended to around 12 boat lengths ahead of Pete, with Steve in third, followed in very close succession by Rosemarie Benson 2195 and Dominic Oakeshott 2159 (both WFSC).
Only 4 laps were completed given the light winds. Dave never gave up the lead, finishing in 1st position followed by Pete, Rosemarie having passed Steve, Dominic, Sandy Mill (WFSC) 2165, with Martin McKettrick 1886 (Southport SC) finishing 7th followed by 1934 Rick Hough (WFSC) in 8th position.
During the afternoon two races were held ‘back to back’. The fleet were joined by Fiona Niddrie (WFSC) in 1702, again with light winds of around 4 knots from north west.
Race 2 saw Pete changing his tack from race one by going to the centre of the lake. This change of tactic paying off as Pete reached Mark one, clear of Rosemarie who had headed west clear of the fleet in general, most of whom did stay toward the middle of the lake. Pete retained the lead going to Mark 2, followed by Rosemarie who had opened up a gap to the rest of the fleet. There was some close racing mid-fleet between Fiona, Sandy and Rick.
Pete did not give up the lead finishing 1st, Rosemarie 2nd, Steve 3rd, Dominic 4th, with close finishing in the middle and end of the fleet between 5th Dave, Martin in 6th, Rick 7th, after a good start Fiona finished 8th, the race being completed by Sandy.
Race 3 saw Pete, Steve, Rosemarie and Rick all head on a starboard tack to the east of the lake, the remainder of the fleet heading on the opposite tack to the west. The eastern heading paid off with all 4 boats reaching mark one at least 12 boat lengths clear of the first boat that headed west. By Mark 4, north western corner of the lake, Pete had taken a good lead that was never relinquished, closely followed by some very close racing between Rosemarie, Steve and Dominic. Race 3 finished with Pete in 1st, Rosemarie 2nd, Steve 3rd and Dave, who had closed the gap to finish in 4th.
The fleet retired to the club house for needed refreshments and to reflect on the day. Closing remarks and thanks were made by Jim Murie the Menagerie Class Captain (who helms a Byte 😊) to the race officers, the safety boat crews, Carl Ellis, Eric Hazeldene, Frank Lafferty, Jonathan Latham and the galley team, Kathy and Janet. The prizes were awarded by Zoe. An endeavour award was made to Rick Hough who improved his finishing position in each and every race.
Results:
Overall Winner 2177 Pete Coop Winsford Flash SC
1st Lady Helm 2195 Rosemarie Benson Winsford Flash SC
1st Visiting Helm 1864 Dave Borrett Beaver SC
Endeavour Award 1934 Richard Hough Winsford Flash SC
Next year's event will be a combined Streaker class and Comet class open which is currently scheduled for 10 October 2026.
This year's Streaker season concludes with the End of Season Championship at Northampton Sailing Club on 25 October. The event is the series decider for the Rooster Super Series, HD Sails Northern Paddle Series and North Sails Southern Paddle Series. | 
