A healthy fleet of 12 were in action at Welland Yacht Club on Saturday as Andy Prior won two of the three races contested.
First up was the fourth round of the Sunday Points Series, contested amid a gentle breeze and sunshine.
First away at the start was Andy Prior (Laser) followed by Mark Scourfield (Solo), Richard Stedman, Tom Bell, Alan Cox (all 3 Laser), Alistair Mitchell & Monica Nowak (RS Vision), Ben Parsons, Richard Holland (both Laser), Gerri van Haren (Phantom), Mark Holland (Laser), Eric Murray (Mirror) and Helen Boyd (Solo).
Although the breeze picked up slightly during the first lap, it would die down over the next two – with Prior managing to pull out quite a lead over the rest of the fleet, with van Haren in second spot and Scourfield third.
After three laps Prior crossed the line ahead of van Haren, then Cox, Scourfield and Bell.
Although after handicaps were applied Prior maintained the win from Scourfield second and Cox third, with van Haren getting pushed back to seventh.
The second race of the day was the third round of the Autumn Points Series, a two-lap affair aided by gustier winds.
The fleet was now at 13, with Neal Tack and Rebecca Slator (Graduate) joining the original 12.
Once again Prior raced ahead at the start, but positions changed a few times behind with boats tactically positioning themselves to make best use of the wind.
However, it then became apparent that the wind was starting to die away again.
Once the lead three boats had started their second lap, the remainder of the fleet was given the choice to take a single lap time or carry on. Some carried on as others elected to take the lap time.
Again first across the line was Prior, followed by Bell, then Cox and Scourfield.
Once handicaps were applied both Prior and Bell held their places, but Cox slipped to fourth with Scourfield third.
The final race of the day was the fourth in the Autumn Points Series.
With van Haren having called it a day, the fleet dropped to 12 with Andy Agar (OK) joining and Prior taking the Helm of the RS Vision with Nowak remaining as crew.
This time Cox took the win, followed by Bell, then Scourfield and Richard Holland. Once handicaps were applied, the only change saw Scourfield moving up to second from Bell in third.
- This Sunday is Welland’s open race meet, where members of other clubs join them to race from 10.30am.
This year, it has been renamed the Richard Thacker Trophy in memory of the club’s former commodore/treasurer.
For further details you can contact the club via email [email protected]
