Despite a cold day, conditions were ideal for Welland Yacht Club’s final Sunday of the Autumn Points Series.
Nine boats were on the water ready for the first race but only were upright by the time the start gun went, with William Stabler and Ian Thompson both capsizing.
Richard Stedman pre-empted a capsize and withdrew, leaving Andy Prior in a full rig Laser to get the best of the start, closely followed by Andy Agar in his OK, Alistair Mitchell in a Laser Radial and Adam Stabler in a Laser.
Helen Boyd in her new Solo struggled with the strong wind and was behind the main fleet.
Prior gradually extended his lead and crossed the line well clear but his rivals fought a close race, which was not decided until the final mark rounding.
Agar and Mitchell approached the buoy side by side but Mitchell capsized as they rounded. In the time he took to right the boat, Stabler and Boyd overtook him and that was the finishing order and on handicap too.
The officer of the day set a longer second race and Geoff Tibbs joined in his Solo for some exciting reaching along the mile straight.
Prior again got the best start and pulled clear but Boyd had a much better start and was chasing Agar, Mitchell and Stabler, with Tibbs and Thompson slightly behind.
The strong wind got the better of Thompson and he retired after capsizing one too many times. Prior crossed the line first to take race honours but Agar and Boyd rounded the last mark side by side. Clever tacking skills saw Boyd cross the line ahead of Agar. Mitchell crossed third but was promoted to second, ahead of Agar on handicap with Stabler fifth. Tibbs rounded the last buoy the wrong way and capsized as he tried to correct the mistake, however, he did right his boat to finish sixth.
The fleet for the final race of the series was reduced to four boats after cold set in on those sailors who had suffered capsizes.
Agar got the better of the start this time, sailing through some tight gaps to lead. He was involved in a tacking duel with the quicker Laser of Prior for all of the first beat. Prior eventually pulled clear, a position he maintained to the line.
Stabler overtook Agar on the final run to the clubhouse but did not pull out enough of a lead to beat him on handicap so came in third slightly ahead of Boyd.
The results saw Prior take the Autumn Points Trophy with six straight wins with Agar second and Mitchell third.
The club holds its 75th anniversary party and awards presentation at the clubhouse on November 15 and would like to hear from past members wishing to attend.
Contact the club via its website – www.wellandyachtclub.co.uk – or through any club member.
