Two titles were up for grabs at the Welland Sailing Club on Sunday, The Munson Cup and the Novice Trophy.
Ten boats took to the start line for the first race and with the strength of the breeze constantly changing, it was Helen Boyd (Solo) who got away first from the three Lasers of Alistair Mitchell, Keiron Powell and Alan Chapman. Adam Stabler and Mark Scourfield, also in Solos followed, with Alan Cox, Eric Murray, Mark Holland in Lasers and junior William Stabler in his first competitive sail in a Topper completing the line-up.
As they made their way up river to the first mark, Boyd slipped a couple of places and the return to the clubhouse mark proved a little challenging as the wind kept shifting direction.
The second lap saw the mid-fleet positions change a few times as they closed up on each other. The younger Stabler was given a single lap time because the Topper was some way behind, although he gained a place under handicap.
First over the line was Powell, followed by Cox, Mitchell, Scourfield, Chapman, Holland, Boyd, Murray and the elder Stabler. Class handicaps pushed Scourfield and Boyd up into third and fourth places respectively.
Race two saw eight boats in action and it was Murray and Boyd who led the fleet into the first lap, closely followed by Powell.
As they made their way up river, some of the Lasers soon caught and passed Boyd, who then concentrated on keeping within handicap distance. Scourfield tried to do the same as he hung on to third spot.
After two laps, first across the line was Cox, followed by Powell then Scourfield, Chapman, Mitchell, Holland, Boyd and Murray. Boyd was elevated to fifth spot once handicaps were applied.
At the lunch break, it left Powell and Cox with a win and second place apiece.
Seven boats started the final race and Boyd got the better start from Scourfield, followed by the Lasers of Cox, Powell, Chapman, Holland and Murray.
By the time of rounding the up river mark, Scourfield led from Cox but on the return leg Cox edged out into the lead. After the three laps, Cox crossed the line first ahead of Scourfield and Powell but Scourfield took the win under handicap.
Cox was the overall Munson Cup winner with Powell second, Scourfield third and Chapman fourth, giving him the Novice Trophy, with Boyd fifth.
