Sunshine and a warm wind meant it was almost summer conditions for racing at Welland Yacht Club.
The first race saw a strong wind in an unusual direction, blowing across the river and straight on to the clubhouse, which made rigging and launching difficult.
Eight boats went to the start line and with a reaching start a short distance to no.1 buoy, getting away was vital. Keiron Powell in the Laser Radial was first away, followed by Mark Scourfield in the Solo, with Adam Stabler just behind ahead of Alan Chapman and Alastair Mitchell all in Laser Radials. William Stabler and Piotr Wojtowicz followed in the Laser 4.7 boat.
With clear wind, Powell extended his lead to no.4 buoy, rounding just ahead of Scourfield, who went the wrong way around and had to unwind, letting Chapman through.
The run back off wind was eventful and some gusts found out the unwary but Powell safely negotiated the run with Chapman second and Scourfield third.
On the second lap, the Stablers had a close race, tacking up the straight, with Mitchell in close attendance.
Scourfield got past Chapman at Shellys Bush Corner to reclaim second place but could not catch Powell. Chapman finished third with Mitchell fourth and William Stabler a minute ahead of his dad, followed by Wojtowicz. Handicaps saw Powell, Scourfield and Chapman retain their places, with young Stabler only seven seconds adrift in a well-sailed fourth.
The concluding race in the Morning Points series started with the wind increasing and gusts proved an issue for many. The same boats headed to the line but a gust caught Chapman and he capsized. Scourfield got away first, followed by Powell, Mitchell, William Stabler, Wojtowicz and Stabler senior. The extended course gave plenty of opportunities for some good planing reaches allowing Scourfield in the larger sail boat to stretch his lead.
A toestrap issue saw Chapman go for a swim on the beat up.
Scourfield had built a lead going into the second lap but disaster struck as he tried to round no.5 buoy and a gust caused him to capsize. Powell took advantage to get through, followed by Stabler junior, who was just ahead of Mitchell.
There were a number of other capsizes as the wind increased but Powell crossed first ahead of the Lasers of Adam Stabler and Mitchell, who were separated but just one second across the line.
There was no change under handicap and that gave Powell first place in the series from Scourfield and Alan Cox.
- Breaking News
