The team of Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator won all three races at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday to lift the Peterborough Building Society Salva.
With a lower than usual number of entries due to holidays, just four boats contested the competition – but they were at least helped by the Environment Agency clearing weeds from the race course.
However, due to the lack of rain over the past few months, the competitors had to deal with lowering water levels.
With the wind variable in strength, Tack and Slator lead the way from the off in race one as their graduate got a flier. Behind them were Paul Wilson (Solo) and Richard Stedman (Laser), while Mark Holland and Reggie Saunston in the club RS Vision had trouble getting started.
The course was set for a beat to the number two buoy three times, as this would allow organisers to shorten the course.
The first race did run the full three laps and, while Tack and Slator were never threatened at the front, Wilson and Stedman enjoyed some place changing sailing.
In the end, the rivalry was settled when Wilson had to complete a penalty turn for hitting the turning mark, allowing Stedman to pull away and seal second.
This was the finishing order, but on handicap it was Wilson who had managed to close the gap on Stedman and secured second behind Tack and Slator. Stedman settled for third, with Holland and Saunston having to retire after getting caught on the bank in the reeds.
There was a course change in race two, but it was Tack and Slator who were first away again in their Graduate, followed by Wilson in second and Stedman in third.
Close tacking between these three took place up to the turning mark and, after this was rounded, it was Wilson who slipped through to take the lead on the run back to the clubhouse turning mark.
However, Wilson suffered gear failure and had to retire from the race, allowing Tack and Slator to sail away and be the first boat over the line.
Stedman settled for second, with Holland and Saunston once again having some issues with the heavier boat and having to retire.
Again the course was changed to keep the boats on their toes in the finale.
The course was set to the furthest buoy, giving the crews rest from the tacking and running only.
With Wilson having to give this race a miss, a familiar pattern was set with the wind at least staying up despite not being constant in direction.
Tack and Slator were away first once again, followed by Stedman and then Holland and Saunston.
This was the finishing order after 45 minutes of racing, making it three wins for the pairing and securing the overall victory.
Stedman did enough to take second overall, from Wilson in third and Holland and Saunston back in fourth place.
- Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should contact the club via email [email protected] or you can go and visit them at SHDC’s ‘give it a go’ event at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Sunday, August 21 (11am-4pm).
