Sunday saw almost ideal late autumn conditions with sunshine and a moderate breeze for Welland Yacht Club.
The first race of the day, the third in the series of 12, saw seven boats start.
With the wind blowing just off directly down the straight, it was a long and short tack most of the way to Chilver’s Corner and then a tight reach to the re-located no.4 buoy twice.
Alan Chapman in the full rig Laser was away first, closely followed by Mark Scourfield in the Solo and Alistair Mitchell in the radial rig Laser close behind. Richard Stedman in his Comet, Adam Stabler in the Solo, William Stabler in the Topper and Eric Murray in the Mirror made up the rest of the fleet.
Chapman covered Scourfield all the way to Chilvers and was able to round the corner just in front for the tight reach to the rounding buoy, which he held to gain rights as both boats turned for the return.
Chapman’s lead was not threatened but just before the final rounding of the clubhouse buoy he chose to get too near the clubhouse and fell into the wind shadow. Scourfield took advantage to gain ground.
That made all the difference when the handicaps were applied. Chapman crossed first but only 30 seconds in front of Scourfield, ahead of Mitchell, Stedman, Adam Stabler, William Stabler and Murray. After handicaps were applied it was Scourfield first and Chapman second with the others unchanged.
The second race saw six boats start and the wind had picked up to provide some excellent sailing.
Chapman and Scourfield again opted to make the start mid-river as the wind direction had marginally changed and meant it was a very tight reach up to Shelly’s Bush Corner. Chapman’s larger boat pulled out a lead as they turned, with Mitchell a lot closer than in the first race, taking advantage of the reduced sail area in the gusts.
Chapman once more pulled out a lead, with Scourfield holding on to second place and Mitchell third. Stedman was fourth, followed by Adam Stabler and Murray.
After handicaps, Scourfield emerged victor by six seconds from Chapman, who was another six seconds in front of Mitchell.
Stedman took fourth place with Stabler and Murray switching positions.
