Welland Yacht Club’s season kicked off with a bang on Sunday with 35mph gusts hitting the fleet.
Eleven boats lined up for the Rob Creek Regatta but three of those had capsized before the starting gun went.
One of these was Geoff Tibbs, whose boat was still on its side being supported by the rescue boat just upwind of the start line, when the starting signal was sounded making for a very interesting start.
First away was Mark Scourfield in his Solo with Andy Prior and Alan Chapman only metres behind in their Laser Radials.
These were followed by Tom Bell (Laser Radial) and Andy Agar (OK).
After the first few beats Prior managed to pull clear with Chapman in pursuit leaving Bell, Agar and Scourfield in a close tacking duel.
Due to the strong winds the officer of the day was able to set a long course up to the bypass bridge providing some spectacular reaching in each direction.
During this Prior pulled out a lead from Chapman with the other boats holding station.
Jorrit Schrawers and son Toby were struggling in the heavily canvassed Kestrel and after one incursion into the bank too many decided to call it a day and headed back to the clubhouse on jib only.
As the fleet approached the clubhouse things were to change, first Bell capsized during a gybe and then Scourfield capsized as he gybed around the mark.
This opened the field up and allowed both Alistair Mitchell and Adam Stabler to close up with the fleet as they started their second lap.
By now the wind had increased significantly and it was survival conditions.
Chapman capsized at the windward mark allowing Bell to take second place on the water.
After some difficulty rounding the final mark Prior crossed the line first from Bell with Agar third and Mitchell fourth.
Despite a last minute capsize Stabler was fifth one place ahead of Chapman. Neal Tack and Rebecca Slator finished seventh with Helen Boyd being the last finished in eighth despite multiple capsizes.
With the wind continuing to increase the OOD took the sensible decision to abandon any further racing with the regatta being decided by the one race.
