Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club

Windward mark rounding during the Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club © Pete Fletcher

A bumper 2024 Streaker season was wrapped up in style at Beaver Sailing Club with 31 boats contesting the End of Season Championships which was also the conclusion of two major series - the Rooster Super Series and the North Sails Northern Paddle Series.

Despite the damp and windless start to the day, there was a decent forecast and the car park was buzzing with the anticipation of some competitive racing against Beaver's Streaker hot-shots.

At the briefing, Race Officer Dave Nicklin outlined the 'inverted P' course, including a gate at the leeward mark which offered some interesting tactical options throughout the day in the shifting and patchy breeze.

Martin Penty ahead of Giles Therkelson-Smith during the Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club - photo © Pete Fletcher

Race 1 got away bang on time with the gentle breeze showing signs of building... in places! Ian Priest (Ripon SC) made the best of the first beat to lead around the windward mark, closely followed by Martin Penty (Beaver SC), Giles Therkelson-Smith (Beaver SC) and Veronica Falat (WOBYC). Ian couldn't quite keep pace with the other three over the subsequent laps, leaving Giles to capitalise after overtaking Martin on the first downwind. Giles held on to take the win ahead of Martin, second, and Veronica, third.

Race 2 saw a General Recall with a blanket of boats attempting to start at the heavily favoured Committee Boat end. The race got away cleanly at the second attempt (under black flag) with Martin finding another gear in the stronger breeze to break free up the first beat. He led from start to finish leaving a tussle for the minor places between Giles, Alan Bishop (Girton SC) and Steve Hanby (Beaver SC). Giles eventually took second with Steve Blackburn (West Lancs YC/Leigh & Lowton SC) coming through in the later stages to take third.

Gybe mark during the Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club - photo © Pete Fletcher

There was another General Recall at the start of race 3 with several BFDs at the subsequent restart. Steve B kept his nose clean and popped out in front at the windward mark, ahead of Martin and Veronica. Giles was also in the mix once again, as was Sam MacKay (Swarkestone SC), unaware of his BFD. As the race progressed, Martin pulled through to take the lead and the race win. Veronica looked to have got the better of Steve B for second until he snuck back past at the final mark.

Going into the final race, Martin was in pole position for the event win but Giles was still in contention, although he would need another bullet to sneak the title on countback.

Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club - photo © Pete Fletcher

Race 4 saw Alan tacking out to the right off the start and coming in on the starboard lay line with a decent lead. Martin led the chasers, closely followed by Giles and Steve H. Alan extended his lead over the course of the race to take the win, with Martin narrowing the gap in the final stages to take second. Giles held on to third, despite the valiant efforts of the late charging Dave Borrett (Beaver SC) who came through on the final lap to take fourth.

So, overall, Martin Penty had done enough to keep young pretender Giles Therkelson-Smith in his place - for now! The event finished with Martin taking first place and the coveted Freddy Bear Trophy. Giles was second and Steve Blackburn third.

Martin Penty wins the Freddy Bear trophy at the Streaker End of Season Championships at Beaver Sailing Club - photo © Neil Firth

Beaver SC were fitting hosts for an event which proved to be a true celebration of a great Streaker season. The catering team, led by Helen Penty, laid on a hearty 2-course lunch in the middle of the day as well as tea and cakes at the prize-giving. Stuart Burnett also made sure that all 31 sailors took home a prize and, all in all, we couldn't have been made more welcome. Thank you Beaver SC!

The day was rounded up with prize draws held for two brand new Streaker sails. Ian Whitfield (Tamworth SC) won an HD sail for competing in the HD Sails Southern Paddle Series and Paul Burman-Smith (Ouse Amateur SC) won a North sail for competing in the North Sails Northern Paddle Series. Well done Ian and Paul!

Overall Results: