Streaker Open at Deben Yacht Club
by Mike Hanes 28 Apr 2009 10:50 UTC
26 April 2009
Shifty conditions and a big turnout at Deben
17 sailors turned out to find bright sunshine and a light breeze at the Adnams sponsored Streaker open at Deben Yacht Club.
A triangular course was set, and the ever shifting wind meant picking the correct moment to cross the tide would be crucial on the way to the windward mark.
By the start of race one, the wind had picked up, but was still shifting unpredictably. A slight port bias on the line saw several boats bunched around the start, with Jonny Shuster, Mike Hanes and Ruth Baker escaping from the pack first. By the end of lap 2 Hanes had overtaken Shuster downwind and managed to hold onto the lead until the finish, with Shuster and Pierre Naude narrowly in second and third.
Race 2 saw a large header on the start line, leaving one or two exasperated sailors. Chris Woodard made a fast start, but Shuster had worked his way into first by the end of lap 2. By lap 3 Robin Parsons had cunningly worked his way into third in a borrowed Butler boat.
Chris Woodard demonstrated his ability to make use of clear wind and water to take a commanding lead in race 3. Ruth Baker having crossed the tide early stormed into second place early on, leaving Jonny to play catch up. Dave Shuster gave a good chase and managed to sneak into fourth place on the final beat.
Overall Results:
1st Chris Woodard (DYC) 1608
2nd Jonny Shuster (DYC) 1664
3rd Mike Hanes (DYC) 1655
4th Robin Parsons (DYC) 1568
5th Pierre Naude (DYC) 1620
1st Lady, Ruth Baker (DYC) 1592