Welland Yacht Club held their annual open race meeting on Sunday.
The Richard Thacker Trophy is named in honour of one of the club’s former commodores and saw the hosts joined by two visiting boats from Girton.
With little breeze, a relatively short course was set for the first race. Nine boats took to the start with Alan Cox (Laser) getting away ahead of Alan Bishop (Solo), Sam and Richard Mason (Albacore), Alan Chapman (Laser), Tom Bell (Laser), Helen Boyd (Solo), Mark Holland (Laser), Martin Cook (Solo) Gerrit van Haren (Phantom).
Both Bishop and the Mason pairing were soon first and second respectively with Cox third. Van Haren made his way up to third by the start of the final lap.
Once handicaps were applied, Bishop kept the win from the Masons in second with Boyd third from Cox, then Bell, Chapman, van Haren to leave Holland and Cook tied.
A slightly longer race was set for the second race but over two laps. Seven boats took to the start and Bishop took the lead with the Mason pairing in second and Cox third. Cook retired at the end of the first lap.
The Masons, having taken and lost the lead a few times crossed the line 30 seconds ahead of Bishop although Bishop took victory under handicap. Mason held on to second from Cox, with Boyd fourth leaving ahead of Chapman and Holland.
The third race reverted to the first race course but for just one lap. Five boats took to the start with Bishop and the Masons taking the lead from Cox. The followed Boyd and Holland in what proved to be the finishing order once handicaps were applied.
Overall result: 1 Bishop (Girton), 2 Masons (Girton) 3 Cox, 4 Boyd, 5 Holland, 6 Chapman, 7 Bell, 8 Van Haren, 9 Cook.
The trophy was presented to Alan Bishop by Richard Thacker’s son James, who was also accompanied by his mum Jane and several other family members and friends.
The club recently held a race night, with all proceeds funding the purchase of a defibrillator to be located at the club.
Thanks were expressed to all those who attended the event and made the purchase possible, as well as to those members who planned and hosted the event.
