Stedman makes most of return to action

Welland Yacht Club were back in action on Sunday, thanks to the efforts of the Environment Agency and Ryan and Lee from Somerset Boat Centre.
Their work during the week clearing weed from the river allowed sailing to restart after an unplanned break from action.
However, following all that work, the wind failed to show in any strength.
To make up for the postponed weeks, the first two races were the final two in the Morning Points Series and the third race was the series opener for the Autumn Points Series with all three counting for the Gouch Trophy.
Six boats took to the start for the first race over a short course. It was soon evident that, although having been cut, there was still enough weed floating about to cause issues.
Andy Prior made the best of the start, leading from Richard Stedman then came Nick Bonsor, Mark Scourfield, Helen Boyd and Mark Holland. Once around the windward mark, it was a slow run upriver to buoy 2 although Prior managed to pull out quite a lead.
It soon became clear that one lap was going to be the order of the day because of the slow process of tacking back to the finish line while trying to avoid the pockets of weed. The finishing order remaining unchanged apart from Holland, who passed Boyd but dropped to sixth once handicaps were applied.
The fleet was down to five for the second race but Prior again took an early lead from a much closer Stedman, Bonsor, Boyd and Holland. At times the fleet bunched up reasonably close with third, fourth and fifth positions changing.
During the tacking back to the finish, Bonsor in third place was within four boat lengths of leader Prior but dropped back as the wind swirled off the banks, providing a mix of direction.
The finishing order was Prior, Stedman, Bonsor, Holland and Boyd with the only change after handicaps were applied saw Stedman take the win.
The breeze picked up slightly for the final race but only three boats took to the line, with Holland followed by Stedman putting in a tack to keep between the middle of the river and the far bank because there was less floating weed there. Boyd held her nerve and went closer to the near bank, proving to be the best course of action as she rounded the windward mark first, closely followed by Holland and Stedman. Holland inched past Boyd on the run to buoy 2, with Stedman closing into second place on rounding the buoy. With the finishing order being Holland, Stedman, Boyd. The handicap saw Stedman take the win from Holland.
Overall results for the Gouch Trophy were: 1 Stedman, 2 Prior, 3 Holland, 4 Bonsor, 5 Boyd 6 Scourfield. The results of the first two races also gave overall Morning Points Series victory to Stedman.
Anyone want to find out more about sailing should contact the club via email [email protected]