Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone Sailing Club - Day 2

It's day two of the Noble Marine Streaker Nationals! As the fleet takes to the water, the wind is up and the sun is out.

As 60 boats line up at the start line of race three, the port end gets a little crowded, so much so the line vanishes as most of the fleet are too eager and cross the line before the gun. At the second attempt, Tom Gillard got off to a good start heading off on port and was first to the windward mark. There was a slight gap in the fleet between the first 4 boats (Tom, Martin Penty, Rich Hanby and Lee Goodey) and the rest of the fleet, leaving a battle for 5th place, eventually won by Giles Therkelson-Smith.

Tom Gillard leading after day 2 of the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone Sailing Club - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Race four saw a repeat of the race three start, with most of the fleet over the line. As the wind shifted the start was not as port biased as before. With the fleet split up the first beat it looked quite even at first, until a lift for the left looked promising. Then a massive lull and shift swung it for the right who ended up reaching into the mark. The fight for 3rd and 4th (Martin and Rich) was rudely interrupted at the windward mark by one of the Thames Barges also racing on the Blackwater, which made tactics a little different. Luckily it passed by quickly and there were no changes to the results. First in was Tom, followed by James Sinclair.

Thames Barge crossing the course on day 2 of the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone Sailing Club - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

There was a change of course for race five and only one start was needed this time round. A crowded port end meant everyone was hustling for the pin end. As Rich lined up for a good start next to Martin, Rachael Gray decided the only option was to wipe out the competition by using the bow to pull on the main sheet, almost capsizing Rich. Meanwhile, further up the line Dave Adams decided toe straps were too last year and decided to fall out of the boat causing chaos to unfold. Martin had a clean start, opening and extending his lead for a very comfortable win. Meanwhile, Tom had to recover from a poor start to finish in fourth. This opened up an opportunity for some newcomers to pop up in the results, with Alex Butler taking second and Roger Wilson third.

Alex Butler second in race 5 on day 2 of the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone Sailing Club - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

After two days' racing, Tom Gillard has opened up a good lead over Martin Penty, with Rich Hanby in third and Alex Butler a close fourth. Lee Goodey is in fifth and leading the silver fleet.

Lee Goodey leading the Silver Fleet after day 2 of the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Stone Sailing Club - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

The Streaker Nationals is generously sponsored by Noble Marine, Hartley Boats, Allen Brothers and Fernhurst Books.

Results after Day 2: