Welland Yachting Club’s penultimate race of 2019 saw plenty of ups and down as strong winds caused chaos over two races.
The previous Sunday’s racing had been abandoned due to excessive windspeed but it was hopeful this week that it wouldn’t be as windy.
However the forecast proved to be wrong and the wind didn’t ease.
Six boats took to the start line with Andy Prior, Alan Cox, Alistair Mitchell, Mark Holland all in Laser Radials with Paul Burton using his Supernova with a smaller sail made for windy conditions and Gerri van Haren in a Phantom.
Each tried to position themselves for the start and van Haren capsized just before it but managed to right himself in time.
As the start sounded all boats were well back from the line with Burton and Prior just ahead of Holland and Cox.
Holland capsized allowing van Haren and Mitchell to get by.
By the time he got righted Holland had been pushed by the wind and river flow to the bottom of the course.
Another capsize would then see him retire.
Prior by now had opened up a lead over Burton with Cox not far behind, followed by van Haren then Mitchell.
The planned course was changed during the race to make the most of the conditions.
Mitchell had a capsize and didn’t complete the course with Cox having now moved up to second.
Burton was third and van Haren fourth.
This would be the finishing order which wasn’t changed when handicaps applied and Prior taking an impressive win.
By the time of the second and final race of the day there was still no sign of the wind dying down.
Four boats took to the start with Burton getting the slight edge over Prior then Cox followed by Mitchell.
Prior soon took the lead and Cox then took second leaving Burton a close third.
Mitchell, having taken the first of several capsizes during this race, was left back in fourth.
While the lead three made the final run home Mitchell took another capsize trying to complete the course.
With his boat righting and going straight back over several times he decided to head home.
Meanwhile the lead two boats of Prior and Cox with the full force of the wind behind them ran into trouble themselves, both capsizing almost simultaneously.
Now with three boats capsized in the river keeping the safety boat busy Burton took full advantage and headed home in front.
Burton claimed the win with Prior ranked second and Cox third, Mitchell being classed as a non-finisher.
The final race of the Frostbite series will be on Boxing Day which is also contested in it’s own right as the Brass Monkey.
Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should contact the club via email [email protected]
