Two wins and a second place earned Paul Burton overall glory in Welland Yacht Club’s Grounds Trophy Regatta on Sunday.
On a blustery day, 12 boats took to the starting line for race one and Brian Cobb (Europe) took the early lead from Burton (Supernova).
They were followed by Geri van Haren (Phantom), Alan Cox, Gail Follington (both Laser Radial), Will Cook and crew Emma Hill (Scorpion), Katie Follington, Samuel Willerton (both Topper), Neal Tack and crew Rebecca Slator (Graduate), Mark Holland (Laser Radial) then Rosie and Freya Willerton (both Topper).
Burton soon took control at the front with van Haren in hot pursuit, while the positions in the mid-fleet swapped multiple times.
Cook and Hill were then caught by a gust and capsized, forcing retirement.
At the front, the top two exchanged places a few times before Burton was first across the line followed by van Haren then Cox.
Burton kept the win after handicap, with Cox leapfrogging up to second.
Race two saw three boats drop out and Martin Cook (Solo) joining the ten-strong fleet on the water.
Burton soon pulled ahead again despite a strong start from Cook and Hill.
He was first across the line once more, with Cook/Hill second – positions they held onto after handicap, with Tack/Slator third.
Race three saw eight boats take on a shortened course, with the ‘dead zone’ where the wind was sheltered removed.
First across the line was Burton, followed by Cook/Hill then Cox and Gail Follington.
This time Cox would take the win under handicap from Burton in second and Gail Follington in third.
Overall it was Burton taking top spot from Cox and Gail Follington, with Freya Willerton the highest place junior.
