2024 Streaker Rooster Super Series Overall

Steve Hanby leads the charge during the Streaker Northern Championship at Hykeham © Alan Gillard

The continuing resurgence of the Streaker Class was borne out by an impressive 89 boats taking part in the 2024 Streaker Rooster Super Series. This nationwide series covers the six major Streaker championship events across the season. Twenty-one boats attended three or more events to qualify for this hard-fought series.

Round 1 was north of the border at East Lothian YC in North Berwick, Scotland. Martin Penty from Beaver SC made the journey worthwhile by winning the Scottish Championship from local sailor James Sinclair.

Round 2 was at Hykeham SC in Lincolnshire for the Northern Area Championship. This again attracted a large fleet of Streakers on a particularly breezy, sunny day. It became a gybe fest as the Race Officer directed the fleet to the western section of the reservoir, where the course was set to provide a single beat, followed by five reaches and four gybes down to the leeward mark. All the sailors left with huge grins on their faces and tales of screaming reaches and spectacular spills... all in a spray of Hykeham's (dyed) Caribbean blue water! Martin Penty again showed his mastery of the conditions, but was pushed all the way by Peter Gray and Nigel Pepperdine, both from Staunton Harold SC.

14 year-old Gregory Walker in the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Round 3 and the big event of the year was always going to be the Streaker National Championship at Stone SC in Essex. The class rock stars all turned up for this one, to mix with many friendly Streaker sailors. The largest fleet ever to sail at one event, 62 Streakers in total, took to the waters of the Blackwater estuary. Tom Gillard, master of so many classes and veteran of the Streaker fleet having sailed them for over 25 years, won with six race wins out of the seven races sailed. Martin Penty claimed 2nd with fellow Beaver SC members, Richard Hanby and Giles Therkelson-Smith, in 3rd and 4th. Stone 2024 was a hugely successful and memorable Nationals for the Streaker Class. Stone Sailing Club were the perfect hosts, and it was clear that they enjoyed putting on a show for us.

Tight racing - Hartley Boats Streaker Inlands at Carsington - photo © Theo Holmes

Round 4 was the Streaker Inland Championship held at Carsington SC in Derbyshire. A decent, if very shifty, breeze and a full programme of six races made for an exciting weekend. Yet again a strong fleet of 35 boats turned up to do battle over two days and six races. The surprise was Tom Gillard making time in his busy sailing calendar to attend, along with some very welcome newcomers to the Streaker fleet. Tom won again, although his five-win scoreline was not quite as decisive as it may appear as the racing was extremely tight and the result could have been very different. Martin and Richard from Beaver SC took 2nd and 3rd again, with Pete Gray in 4th. New to the Streaker, Alan Bishop from Girton SC introduced himself by winning the Silver Fleet trophy at his first event.

Round 5 and the Southern Area Championship was held at Bartley SC. The two morning races were held back-to-back in a shifty southerly breeze blowing across the reservoir. Each lap of the course consisted of three beats, three runs and a nice long reach. After lunch, the wind became too strong for further racing so the championship was decided on only the two races sailed. Last year, Sam McKay won the End of Season Championship at Bartley and made no mistake winning the Southern Championship at the same venue this year. Alan Bishop came 2nd, with class stalwart Steve Blackburn claiming 3rd.

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

Round 6 was the End of Season Championship for the Freddy Bear Trophy. It was held at the very well supported Streaker venue of Beaver SC in South Yorkshire. Another solid entry of 31 boats filled the club lawn. The start of the day was damp and windless, but there was a decent forecast and anticipation of some competitive racing against Beaver's hot shots. On his own water Martin Penty would always be hard to beat, which is how the event played out. Even so, Giles and Alan Bishop each claimed a win in the four-race event. The event organiser, Stuart Burnett, made sure that all 31 sailors took home a prize. Beaver SC were fitting hosts for an event which proved to be a true celebration of a great Streaker season and we couldn't have been made more welcome.

Martin Penty winner of the Streaker Rooster Super Series - photo © Neil Firth

The Streaker Rooster Super Series concluded after six memorable events. Martin Penty won the series for 2024, with Giles Therkelson-Smith taking 2nd and Pete Gray coming 3rd. Of the 21 boats that qualified for the series, Dave Borrett from Beaver SC competed in all six events, finishing in 9th overall.

The Streaker Class would like to thank Rooster Sailing for their continued support of the class along with all those clubs that hosted one of these events. The Streaker Class will be celebrating its Golden anniversary in 2025, with sailing events planned to make it a special year.

Streaker Rooster Super Series Overall Results: