Lucy Burton took the overall honours as Welland Yacht Club’s competed for the Cadet Trophy on Sunday.
With nine boats taking to the start line for the first race, Burton took the lead from the off, followed by Connor Clarke, Christopher Seaborn, Neo Thorpe, Samuel Willerton, Alicia Ward and Joseph Seaborn (sharing a boat), Freya Willerton and – after finally making it away from the river bank – Niall Holland and Katie Follington.
As the race progressed, some of the newcomers became entangled in a patch of weed which had developed at the top end of the course, once freed the course was shortened to exclude this area, a couple of boats retired from the race.
Burton maintained her position in front to take the win from Holland in second and Follington in third.
Samuel Willerton was top of the newcomers ahead of sister Freya Willerton, followed by Thorpe.
Race two saw only five boats take to the start, with Burton making the better start from Holland, Follington, Seaborn and Lucy Wilson. All boats successfully completed the first lap, with the newcomers given the option to only complete one lap.
Again, Burton stayed ahead to take the win from Holland and Follington.
Five boats again took to the starting line for race three, with Wilson replaced by Clarke.
This time it was Holland who had the better start from Burton, Follington, Seaborn and Clarke.
As they headed back to the clubhouse at the end of the first lap, Burton was still determined to take the lead from Holland.
As the two rounded the bottom mark Burton finally got past, leaving Holland to try and keep within handicap distance as they have different class boats.
In the end he achieved his goal as, once times were adjusted, Holland took the win by a mere fraction of a second.
Overall victory went to Burton, with the highest placed newcomer being Christopher Seaborn.
A Welland statement said: “It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the newer members in participating in their first competition and hopefully they will progress further during the final sessions of the season.”
