Duo on winning form in Welland Yacht Club’s pursuit series

Martin Cook and Alan Cox both enjoyed victories in Welland Yacht Club’s Personal Handicap Pursuit Series on Sunday.

With no morning action, rounds three and four of the series took place in the afternoon and ten boats took to the starting line amid little or no wind assistance, with staggered starting times.

First to set off were siblings Samuel (helm) and Freya (crew) Willerton in an RS Feva, followed by Shelley Woolridge (Laser Radial), Richard Stedman (Laser), Martin

Cook (Solo), then two of the clubs RS Visions Neal Tack (helm) Rebecca Slator (crew) in one and Mark Holland in the other.

They were followed by Paul Burton (Solo), Phil Robinson (Laser), Alan Cox (Laser) and finally Geri van Haren (Phantom).

As they all slowly made their way down to the first mark, some had already passed the boat ahead as they rounded it.

There was slightly quicker progress during the downwind leg, with experience paying off allowing more places to be made by some.

FINISHING WITH A FLOURISH: Alan Cox won race two.

At the end of the 60 minutes Cook took the win from Stedman in second and Cox in third.

With no sign of the wind picking up only five boats took to the start, with again the RS Feva – this time with only Freya Willerton on board – setting off first, followed by Stedman, Cook, Tack-Slator and finally Cox.

Again, progress was slow down to the first mark but once around places we’re starting to be gained.

This time Alan Cox would take the win from Cook in second and Stedman in third.

Pursuit racing is where the handicap is applied at the start of the race to give allotted start times for each competitor, then at the end of the race duration whoever is in front is the winner.