Welland Yacht Club round-up

The weather gods were smiling once again for the sailors of Welland Yacht Club who took to the water on Sunday.

The club staged two races in the Munson Cup series and the second outing of the Afternoon Points competition.

There was a good breeze which was just enough to make it interesting at times as well as sunshine all day.

Ten boats started the opening race in the Munson Cup and again it was Andy Prior in the full rig Laser who judged the start well.

He was closely followed by Mark Scourfield in the Solo and Keiron Powell and Alan Chapman in full rig Lasers with the remainder bunched together but avoiding any major incidents.

The wind direction was favourable once around Chilvers Corner, providing some nice conditions and it was Prior who rounded first followed by Scourfield just holding off the Laser of Powell.

With a tight sail back to Chilvers, Prior with clear air pulled out a lead that was never challenged despite a mishap after being caught out by a gust of wind.

Powell overtook Scourfield on the run down to number one to round in second with Chapman finishing fourth.

They were followed by Alan Cox, Alastair Mitchell, Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator, Richard Stedman who was just six seconds ahead of Ian Thompson, Helen Boyd and crew Lisa Knight.

When the handicaps were applied, it was Prior in first place ahead of Scourfield in second just five seconds ahead of Powell in third with Cox, Chapman and Mitchell all within 20 seconds of each other.

All boats who raced previously started on the same course for the second race of the day and fourth in the Munson Cup.

The start had both Scourfield and Prior over the line and both had to return through the oncoming boats with no right of way at all.

This allowed Powell, Cox, Mitchell and Chapman, followed by Tack and Slator, to get away but, with boats tacking in close quarters, Prior caught the leaders and by Chilvers Corner had taken the lead.

Chapman had his usual capsize while trying to adjust controls but righted quickly.

After two laps, it was Prior once again first followed by Powell, Scourfield, Cox, Mitchell and Tack and Slator getting the hang of the spinnaker.

Prior remained first when the handicaps were applied with Cox in second seven seconds ahead of Scourfield who was 10 seconds clear of Powell.

There were fewer boats at the start line for the second race in Afternoon Points.

With a change of course giving the boats an extended sail, Prior and Scourfield made good starts and were followed by Powell, Tack and Slator, Cox, Mitchell, Stedman, Boyd and Knight.

Prior's lead was never challenged and, with Powell retiring, Scourfield managed to chase with Tack and Slator in third keeping the Lasers of Cox and Mitchell from advancing further.

After the second lap, Prior came home first and was followed by Scourfield and Mitchell who had managed to get ahead of Cox after he had to carry out penalty turns after hitting Scourfield.

Prior was also top on handicaps from Scourfield, Mitchell, Cox, Tack and Slator, Stedman and Boyd and Knight.