Noble Marine Streaker National Championship 2026 at Sunderland Yacht Club - Overall

Sunderland 2026 was probably the tightest and most open Streaker Nationals ever. At least six boats were still in close contention going into the final day, but it was Martin Penty from Beaver SC who held his nerve to win the final race and complete his comeback, taking the title by just two points.

As previously reported, the first two days of the Noble Marine Streaker National Championship at Sunderland Yacht Club provided a frustratingly light and fickle breeze, not helped when the sea fret rolled in on day 1. However, all of that was quickly forgotten on the final day, as a steady 8-10 knot breeze built to 10-12 knots as the day went on. Fun and competitive racing was the order of the day, although the sea state provided an additional challenge with the prevailing swell being broken up by a cross-swell bouncing off the sea wall.

Start of race 4 on the final day at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

Looking at the scoreboard after day 2, leaders Peter Gray (Staunton Harold SC) and Ian Jones (Dovestone SC) were one point apart and appeared to be in a strong position, with an eight-point cushion over Phil Priestley (Yorkshire Dales SC). Martin was a point further back, beginning his comeback after an eighth in race 1 and ninth in race 2.

However, with only three races completed and a further three to come, there were still plenty of boats in contention for the championship. Not least Steve Blackburn (West Lancs YC) with two top-five results, but still counting a BFD until the discard kicks in. At this stage, Giles Therkelson-Smith (Beaver SC) and James Sinclair (East Lothian YC) could also sail themselves into the mix with three good scores. So, the stage was set for a seven-boat fight for the championship... although, we woke to news of an England victory and whispers that Phil wouldn't make it to the start line after celebrating 'til dawn!

First leg of Race 4 at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

Race Officer Graham Kirkham was keen to get three races in, so he continued to use his black flag. The Blue Peter and Uniform flags hadn't been seen since race 1 and were not going to reappear!

For the first race of the day, the fourth of the championship, the committee boat end of the line appeared marginally favoured. However, the boats further down were the first to get out of the tide on the left. Lee Goodey (Broadstairs SC) was the best of this group and by going hard left he had a lead at the windward mark which he held on to for the rest of the race. Steve, Martin and Ian fought over the places behind Lee, finishing in that order to keep them in contention. Pete was eighth and surrendered his overnight lead to Ian, although the discard was not yet in play.

Race 5 was much the same but with a slightly different cast. This time it was James who gave up some of the line's starboard bias to give himself a clear lane out to the left. He then worked the left side and came out with a decent lead over Steve in second. These two opened up a good lead over the chasing pack, with Ollie Groves (Beaver SC) finishing third and Martin in fourth.

James Sinclair leading race 5 at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

With the discard now coming into play, Steve could drop his BFD from the previous day. He was propelled into the overall lead, giving us the third event leader of the championship, just one point ahead of Ian. At this stage, Martin was still four points behind. So, in the final race Martin would need to be four boats ahead of Steve and three ahead of Ian to take the title.

And with that, race 6 saw Martin hitting the left of the beat at speed. He led James out beyond the port lay line and tacked across to round the windward mark first. James would have been second at the mark, but spotted his sail number on the naughty board and peeled off for an early shower. This left Neil Firth (Banbury SC) amazed to be following Martin round the mark!

Martin wasn't likely to be caught from there, but where were Steve, Ian and Pete? They found themselves a few boats back - behind Ollie, Ian Morgan (Warsash SC) and Giles. So, at the last possible moment, Martin had done enough, becoming the fourth different leader and the Noble Marine Streaker National Champion.

This is Martin Penty's fourth Streaker Nationals win, with only Tom Gillard, Alan Gillard and Steve Cockerill higher up on the all-time Streaker Legends board. Congratulations to Martin!

Martin Penty wins the last race to take the overall win at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

Overall, competition between the leading helms was really tight, with only four points separating the top four boats. In the end, Steve Blackburn finished second, just missing out on the title for the third time, and Ian Jones was third. Pete Gray narrowly missed the podium in fourth.

Elsewhere, racing was equally competitive in the Allen Sailing sponsored Silver and Bronze fleets, where places were changing throughout the event. Nigel Robinson (Beaver SC) established an early lead in the Silver Fleet after a seventh in race 2 which he consolidated in subsequent races. Behind Nigel there was an epic battle between Wendy Jones (Dovestone SC) and Katie Masterson (St Mary's Loch SC) for second in the Silver Fleet. In the end, they finished on equal points with Wendy edging ahead after the tie-break. As it happens, this tussle would also decide the First Lady title.

The Bronze Fleet's Deborah Thomas had an outstanding event. At the midway point after three races, she was comfortably leading the Bronze fleet and, at this stage, she was also in contention for First Lady. Deborah held her form on the final day and took the title, ahead of Mark Smith (Ripon SC) in second and Ian Whitfield (Tamworth SC) in third.

The Streaker Class would like to extend huge thanks to the friendly volunteers at Sunderland Yacht Club who hosted such a great event. The catering, hospitality and organisation on and off the water were excellent... Thank you SYC for a memorable championship!

Start of the last race at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

Trophy Winners:

Windward mark on the final day at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Streaker nationals then enter your Gear Guide information

Homeward bound after the last race at the 2026 Noble Marine Streaker Nationals - photo © Michael Oliver