Paul Burton picked up a hat-trick of wins at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday – but it couldn’t stop Andy Prior and Ros Nickols securing series victories.
After an exciting day of racing, Prior was crowned the Morning Points Series champion, while Nickols lifted the Commodores Points Series crown.
First race of the day was race seven of the Morning Points, with 14 boats taking to the start – five of which were from the junior section.
The boats of Nickols and Will Cook (with crew Emma Hill) made the most of the start, taking the early lead.
The wind varied in both strength and direction throughout, making for a challenging race.
As the fleet headed up river Cook and Hill started to pull out a strong lead, with Geri van Haren now up in second in his faster phantom.
Brian Cobb was third, followed by Paul Burton, Mark Holland, Nickols, Martin Cook, Niall Holland, Richard Stedman, Rosie Willerton, Freya Willerton, Samuel Willerton, Christopher Seaborn and Joseph Seaborn.
On the final run back to the club house it was still Cook and Hill leading from van Haren, with Burton up in third from Cobb in fourth.
Once handicaps were applied it was Burton who took the win from Cobb, with Nickols third.
However, the result failed to take overall victory away from Prior.
The first race of the afternoon was race five in the Commodores Points, with the fleet reduced to 11.
Burton led from the off, from Nickols, Paul Wilson, Cobb, Will Cook and Hill, Martin Cook, the trio of Willertons, Stedman and Mark Holland.
With what little wind there now was appearing to come from all directions it was a long race for some.
Back at the front of the fleet, Burton managed to keep onto his lead with Cobb second, Will Cook and Hill third and Nickols.
This formation would remain to the finish and after handicap the result would be Burton from Cobb, with Nickols third.
The final race of the series saw six boats take to the start for a shortened race.
Again, Burton led from the off and managed to secure another win after handicap.
Second this time was Niall Holland, with Mark Holland third. However, Nickols managed to keep her overall victory in the series.
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