Sunday saw the start of the 2025 sailing season at Welland Yacht Club.
The opening race was for the past-commodore’s Robert Creek Shield and sailors were greeted by sunshine and some testing but exciting wind conditions.
With the course set at no.3 buoy to no.1 buoy three times, it was going to be a testing time for the ten boats that set out to start the first race.
However, conditions worsened and wind gusts increased before the start, which resulted in Mark Holland in a Laser Radial rig capsizing and four other boats – William Stabler in a Vision, Monika Novak, Piotr Woytowkz and Helen Boyd – all deciding that discretion was better than battling the elements and retired.
Of the remaining five boats, Andy Prior in a Laser Radial, got off just ahead of Keiron Powell, also in a Laser Radial, with Mark Scourfield’s Solo, Andy Agar’s OK dinghy and Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator in a Laser 2000 making the way on a tight reach to Shellys Bush corner .
They encountered some vicious squalls but on reaching the corner were able to take advantage of the off wind planing conditions.
The first turning buoy was reached and it was set at a gybe, a tricky manoeuvre at the best of times but in those winds a worry. Prior rounded first followed by Scourfield, Powell, Agar and Tack and Slator. Agar capsized on the gybe on the second lap, allowing Tack and Slator, and on the last lap a particularly strong gust caught Prior on Chilvers corner and he capsized and went into the bank, which allowed Scourfield through into first place. He was followed over the line by Prior, Tack and Slator, Powell and Agar. After handicaps were applied Scourfield kept first place with Prior second, Powell third, Tack and Slator fourth and Agar fifth.
The wind remained the same for the second race and, with Powell not sailing, just the four boats took to the water and the course was changed to allow some superb off wind planing to no.4 buoy and the gybe aspect taken out by popular demand.
Prior managed to capsize before the race and lost his cap but righted in time to join Scourfield, Agar and Tack and Slator for the tight reach start. They were bunched as they made the way to Shellys Bush Corner with Scourfield just holding the lead after some aggressive luffing in an effort to hold back Prior. However, off the wind Prior sailed through and took the lead, which he never lost over the two laps, which were completed in 30-35 minutes for all.
Scourfield crossed second, ahead of Tack and Slator and Agar with no change after handicaps were applied.
After lunch the course was set the same and the gusts had slightly dropped for the final race of the day.
Scourfield was hit by a gust right on the start line at the off and capsized on to the bank as the others got away, led by Prior, Agar and Tack and Slator. After encouragement from the spectators on the clubhouse veranda, Scourfield righted and gave chase.
Prior extended his lead but did have a mishap and capsized but was far enough in front to not affect the outcome. The place changes were occurring behind and over the course of the race. Scourfield managed to catch Tack and Slator and on the second lap gained the right of way at no.4 buoy with Agar and rounded just in front.
Prior crossed the line first with Scourfield second and Agar and Tack and Slator in a close finish.
Special mention went to the rescue boat crew of Richard Stedman, Ian Thompson and Tom Bell, who came to the aid of many.
Overall placings after three races: 1 Prior 4pts, 2 Scourfield 5, 3 Tack and Slator 11, 4 Agar 12.
