Sunday saw a good breeze that had not been experienced in recent weeks.
It gave an opportunity for the sailors from Welland Yacht Club to get on the water before the two-week Environmental Agency drop in water levels finally allowing the breach to be repaired from January.
A slightly reduced turnout, due to summer holidays, saw six boats on the water for the first of three races in the Peterborough Building Society Salver.
With a course of no.3 to no.1 buoy twice, it was a challenge because of flat spots and weed growth causing some frustration.
With a beat away from the club, it was Andy Agar in the OK dinghy who timed the start well and was positioned right to get away first from Andy Prior in the Laser then Emma Agar, sailing the club Laser, making a welcome return to the water. Ian Thompson in the Solo, Mark Holland in the Laser and Richard Stedman in the Comet completed the field.
Place changes came and went as boats gained right of way over others and Prior and Andy Agar both exchanged the lead in the early stages as the wind swung around and dropped at Shellys Bush Corner, allowing the fleet to bunch up.
Prior eventually pulled away from Agar on the tight reach to no.3 buoy and extended his lead on the broad reach and run back to the clubhouse to complete the first lap. Emma Agar kept in touch with her dad and on the run back stayed ahead of Holland, Stedman and Thompson. Those were the positions to the finish and the only casualty was Thompson who managed to fall for a sudden wind shift while gybing with mainsheet held on Chilvers Corner and capsized. After spending time in the water, he decided to retire.
After handicaps applied it was Prior first, ahead of Andy Agar and Emma Agar with a close finish seeing Stedman 18 seconds ahead of Holland.
The same boats came to the start line for the second race with the wind promising a bit more this time.
Prior was first away again, followed by Holland, Andy Agar, Emma Agar, Stedman and Thompson as they made their way tacking up river with the same course.
A familiar pattern emerged as Prior led all the way round, hoping to gain enough time on Andy Agar as handicaps would be applied.
Behind there was more close competition and Emma Agar and Holland swapped places and eventually Holland picked up a wind shift on the beat just past the clubhouse and managed to get ahead of Emma.
He then set his sights on her dad and managed to pass him just before the no. 1 buoy and hold on to the finish.
After handicaps were applied, Prior finished first again, with Holland second, followed by Andy Agar, Emma Agar, Stedman and Thompson.
The final race after lunch saw the wind increase to give a better sail. With the same course and direction, it was important to get clear air from the start and Prior and Andy Agar were first away.
Prior pulled out a lead but chasing him was Emma Agar with some improvements carried out on the boat over lunch.
The race places did not change as the second lap progressed and Prior crossed first followed by Emma Agar, Andy Agar, Holland and Stedman. Handicaps saw Prior complete a winning treble with Emma Agar picking up a creditable second place, 37 seconds ahead of her dad. Stedman held on to finish fourth, 14 seconds ahead of Holland.
Overall: 1 Prior 3pts, 2 A Agar 8, 3 E Agar 9, 4 Holland 12, 5 Stedman 13.
