Sunday saw the completion of the Welland Yacht Club’s Autumn Points Series with three races sailed in glorious autumn sunshine and a light breeze.
That encouraged 11 boats to the start including young sailors William Stabler and visitor Buddy Hunt, taking a break from his Optimist squad training, both in Toppers.
A gentle and, at times, variable breeze blowing straight down the river saw a course set for the first race of No.4 buoy to clubhouse buoy twice.
A busy start line saw 2022 champion Mark Scourfield in the Solo judge it best to be first away, followed by Alan Cox and Mark Holland, and Alan Chapman, all in Lasers, Buddy Hunt in the Topper, Helen Boyd and Ian Thompson, in Solos, Andy Prior with Harry Jackson crewing the RS Feva, followed by Richard Stedman in the Comet and Adam Stabler in his Solo.
The tacking up to Chilvers Corner remained tight with small gains won and lost as the wind varied in strength and direction. Scourfield held on to his lead and rounded the corner but buoy 4 had drifted next to no.3 so the course was shortened.
On the run back to the clubhouse, the lead boats pulled away but Stedman was hanging on in contention on the handicap.
Cox squeezed past Scourfield just before the turning buoy and managed to cross the line-just ahead followed by Chapman, Holland and Stedman. After the handicaps were applied, Scourfield was first, Cox second and Stedman and Chapman tied for third place.
Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator, sailing their new boat, a Laser 2000, made a line-up of 12 boats for the second race.
Stedman judged the start perfectly and was away, with Scourfield close by and Chapman, Holland, Tack and Slator, Boyd and Hunt, Cox and Prior and Jackson, Thompson and Stabler in the Solos making up the rest of the field.
With the breeze fading, Scourfield and Stedman cross tacked, with Scourfield passing on Shelly Bush Corner. The Lasers were having quite a tussle but Cox called right of way on Chapman and this resulted in a swim for Chapman and, when he righted, two penalty turns.
Scourfield rounded first in light airs followed by Cox and Stedman with Holland in close attendance.
On the short tack to the line, Scourfield took line honours, one second ahead of Cox with Stedman crossing third.
After handicaps were applied, Scourfield again took first place, followed by Stedman, Cox and Hunt.
After lunch the wind had slightly increased but came and went and the title was up for grabs between Cox and Scourfield. Twelve boats were again on the start line for the third race.
Scourfield, Chapman, Cox and Holland all made good starts but tacking up to Chilvers Corner saw places change. The two fighting for the title rounded first and second. Cox took the lead and Chapman overtook Scourfield to gain second place on the water, with Holland moving up to fourth.
Two laps were sailed and these places did not change as Cox extended his lead to cross the line first, followed by Chapman, Scourfield and Holland.
After the handicaps were applied, Cox came out on top, Scourfield was second and Chapman third with Holland fourth.
Special mention goes to William Stabler who stayed out and kept racing even when the wind died and finished the course in the Topper.
After the close-fought series, the winner was Scourfield with four points, one ahead of Cox with Stedman’s 10.5 points earning him third spot.
