The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ros Nickols enjoyed a clean sweep of victories as Welland Yacht Club returned to the water on Sunday.
In a complete contrast to the previous week where racing was postponed due to the lack of wind, Sunday saw strong breezes that would last the day out.
The morning saw round six of the morning points series. Nickols in her Europe took the lead from the start with Mark Holland, Alan Cox (Laser Radials) and Brian Cobb (Europe) all vying for second as they approached the windward mark.
Shelley Woolridge and Phil Robinson in Toppers made up the fleet though the Topper’s handicap can give the leaders a false sense of security.
Once rounded and on the down wind drag up the river, Holland had managed to take second from Cox with Cobb close in fourth followed by Woolridge and Robinson.
Once the gybe around the top mark had been successfully navigated, the fleet tacked their way back down river, with Nickols, Cox second, Holland third, Cobb fourth, Woolridge fifth and Robinson sixth.
With the Toppers opting for a single lap time only four boats started the second lap.
With the positions not changing on the water, once handicaps were applied the win stayed with Nickols.
The winds made for a challenging race three and four in the Commodores Points series.
Seven boats took to the start with Nickols again edging into the lead on the far side from Cobb and Paul Burton (phantom).
Once around the windward mark the faster boat of Burton overtook Nickols with Cobb third, Cox fourth, Holland fifth, Woolridge sixth and Lucy Burton with crew Phil Robinson seventh as they began the down wind haul. With the course slightly shortened and the gybe removed from the top mark, all successfully started the tack back down river with Cox starting to make gains on Cobb.
He passed him and was making up ground on Nickols. Although finishing on the water in first Burton Snr would drop to third under handicap leaving the win to Nickols from Cox second
Cobb maintained fourth, Holland fifth, Woolridge sixth and the pairing of Burton and Robinson seventh.
In the final race it was neck and neck between Nickols and Burton Snr to the windward mark closely followed by Cox, Cobb and Holland with Woolridge and Burton/Robinson.
Again Burton would pull ahead in the faster boat with Nickols maintaining a firm grip on second.
On the approach to the windward mark for the second time Holland capsized allowing Cobb to pass.
It was then Cox’s turn to capsize and with his mast firmly embedded in the mud Holland recovered to take fourth.
Once around the mark Cobb got entangled in the ever increasing weed and opted to retire leaving Cox now in fourth with Woolridge in fifth and Burton / Robinson sixth.
With the final lap being completed without further incident Burton Snr again led the fleet home.
Once handicaps applied Nickols again would take the win from Holland with, Burton Snr third, Cox fourth, Burton and Robinson fifth and Woolridge sixth.
Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should contact secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk
