The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Gerri van Haren and Gail Follington both enjoyed victories at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday – but it was serial winner Andy Prior who claimed two series successes.
Although he wasn’t present on the day, Prior had already done enough to claim both the Sunday and Autumn Points series titles.
Three boats took to the start of the morning’s race number seven in the Sunday Points series.
Due to the amount of rainfall during the previous few days the river had a considerable flow to it.
With this in mind the start line was moved upriver to allow for clearer wind at the start to counter the flow.
Van Haren (Phantom) took the early lead from Gail and Katie Follington both in Laser Radials.
With van Haren having built up a considerable lead Gail had also extended her lead over daughter Katie although Katie started to close the gap on the final run back to the finish.
First across the line was van Haren followed by Gail then Katie Follington, the result remaining the same after handicaps were applied.
It was then decided to run the second race of the day (number six in the Autumn Points series) straight after the first, with the course being lengthened.
Again, van Haren making the most of the start, but Gail Follington found herself temporally stuck on the bank – allowing Katie Follington to take second until the final run back to the finish.
That ensured that the result was repeated, with van Haren winning from Gail Follington in second.
After the break for lunch van Haren had to call it a day, but the Follingtons were joined by Neal Tack in a RS Feva.
During the build up to the start Tack ventured too far down river and struggled to make it back to the start against the flow.
That allowed Gail Follington to take the early lead from Katie Follington, with Tack trying to get back within handicap distance.
The final result saw Gail Follington win from Katie Follington, with Tack back in third place.
- Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should contact the club via email secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk and they’ll be in touch with further information.
