A hat-trick of wins from Paul Burton secured him overall glory in Welland Yacht Club’s A1 Transport Trophy event on Sunday.
With visiting boats from nearby Witham Sailing Club (Boston) joining Welland regulars for the event, numbers on the start line swelled to ten.
The day started with heavy rain and blustery winds, with all boats starting on a beam reach up to the first mark.
First to arrive were Andy Prior and Tom Bell, who had teamed up to sail a newly-refurbished Scorpion, with Burton’s Phantom following closely behind just ahead of the main pack.
On the following reach Burton got past the Scorpion and gradually pulled out a good lead, while an RS200 from Witham SC tried its best to pass Prior and Bell, aided in part by Prior falling out the back of the boat.
Burton crossed the line first and took first place on handicap, but although Prior and Bell crossed in second they lost out on the visiting RS200 by seconds on handicap.
Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator were fourth, with Martin Cook fifth.
Race two saw better weather, but a depleted fleet, with Bell and Prior retiring on the start line and both the Witham RS200 and Phil Robinson (Laser) showing no starts due to due to work commitments and a nasty bang on the head following a capsize in race one respectively.
This time, Burton won from Martin Cook (solo), with Tack in third and Lucy Burton a well-deserved fourth.
Race three then saw Paul Burton lead from the front to seal a hat-trick of wins and the overall victory. Cook was second again to clinch the runner-up spot overall, with
Tack and Slator finishing third, one place ahead of Lucy Burton in fourth.
Tack and Slator managed third place overall and Lucy Burton – who also won the best junior prize – was a fine fourth overall.
Welland YC would like to thank A1 Transport for their continued support.
This Sunday sees races two, three and four of the personal handicap series.
- Welland’s end of season bash is on Saturday, November 12 (7pm).
