The Sunday Points Trophy at Welland Yacht Club concluded over a series of four races and sailors had to contend with a breeze that was fickle in strength and direction.
Eight boats came to the start for a short tack to no.1 buoy, with Helen Boyd, in her Solo, and Andy Prior, crewed by Harry Jackson, who judged the time correct. Paul McGuire, sailed his Laser over the line at the start and had to recross into the oncoming boats, making it somewhat exciting for everyone.
Next round the mark was Adam Stabler in the Laser full rig, followed by James Ramp in a Radial Laser.
A broad reach, followed by a dead run to no.4 buoy saw the boats of Richard Stedman, Will Stabler, in a Laser Radial, and Geoff Tibbs, in a Solo, give chase.
Gusts caught out a few and Will Stabler had to retire and was towed back because his boat had begun to leak.
Prior and Jackson retired as they passed the club on the first lap and after an hour’s racing, Adam Stabler crossed the line first, followed by Ramp, Boyd and Tibbs. When handicaps were applied, it was Ramp who took the honours by four seconds from Stabler, with Boyd third, followed by Tibbs , Stedman and McGuire.
The overall winner of the series was Alastair Mitchell, who did not sail on the final day, with Boyd second and Adam Stabler completing the podium.
The second race of the day was the first in the Personal Handicap Series, with six boats starting.
Andy Prior was back in the Laser full rig and led from the start to finish ahead of Boyd, Stabler, Ramp, McGuire and Jackson. Prior kept his advantage on handicap but Ramp was second, followed by Boyd, Stabler, Jackson and McGuire.
The next race had the same format and Prior again crossed the finish line first but it was his grandson Harry who came out on top by 15 seconds on handicap from Stabler. Prior finished third with Boyd fourth. Ramp and McGuire retired.
After two races of the series, Prior leads from Jackson and Stabler, followed by Boyd, Ramp and McGuire.
