Good wind conditions were promised for the final races of the Sunday Points Series at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday, with five boats taking to the line for the first race.
Andy Prior got the best start in his full rig Laser, followed by Alan Chapman in the Laser Radial and then Gerri van Haren in his Phantom but, before the first beat was complete, the wind dropped leaving all boats making slow progress.
Prior pulled out a good lead in these difficult conditions. The second lap saw noticeably more wind and this, coupled with the low water levels, got the better of Haren who capsized.
Prior was first over the line and maintained this position on handicap. Chapman crossed the line seconds ahead of Haren and took second place comfortably once handicaps were applied.
Although Stedman finished a couple of minutes later the better handicap of his slower boat promoted him up to third place. Helen Boyd, sailing a Solo, took fourth place from Haren on handicap.
The better wind conditions remained for the second race with all five boats taking part.
Again it was Prior who made the best start but this time Haren was leading the chase.
Stedman, Chapman and Boyd were locked in a tacking duel providing some good competition until Chapman got close to the bank and capsized trying to free the boat from the mud. He righted the boat and got moving again but he capsized again, putting him out of contention.
By the second lap Prior had pulled out a sizable lead but his boat suffered gear failure after the gybe which almost cost him the race.
After some on-the-water makeshift repairs he was able to continue sailing but had lost the ability to pull the sail in hard on starboard tacks.
Haren put pressure on and was able to pass Prior and crossed the line first but hadn’t pulled out enough of a lead to cover his quicker boat’s handicap and was relegated to second place.
Chapman finished third but was relegated to fourth on handicap, leaving Stedman with third. Boyd came in fourth but also lost out to Stedman on handicap.
With these races being the concluding ones for the Sunday Points series, Prior took the trophy with Chapman in second and Stedman in third.
