The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Consistent Brian Cobb clinched the Flag Officer’s Cup after a close battle with Paul Burton at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday.
With near perfect conditions of sunshine and a reasonable breeze, seven boats took to the starting line for the first of the afternoon’s three races.
An unlucky Phil Robinson suffered a broken tiller and had to get back to shore for a quick repair – putting him in last place at the start.
The fleet started to spread out, with the faster phantom of Burton having taken the early lead from Cobb in second.
Robinson made good progress through the pack – and by the last run home he managing to pass Cobb on the water but not, as it would transpire, by enough for when handicaps applied.
Burton emerged as the race one winner, with Cobb second, Robinson third and Niall Holland fourth.
By the afternoon the wind had strengthened and the sky darkened, with two boats dropping out and replaced by two more for the final two races.
Again, the seven contenders were vying for position at the start, which passed without incident.
This time Ros Nickols and Martin Cook opened up an early lead, closely followed by Burton and Cobb with Lucy Burton and the pairing of Neil Tack and Rebecca Slator, together with Paul Wilson, bringing up the rear.
Paul Burton would soon regain the lead on the water, but disaster struck on the return to the clubhouse when he capsized although still crossing the line ahead.
After handicaps it was Nickols took the win, with Cobb (second), Paul Burton (third) and Cook (fourth) just behind.
Now tied on four points apiece, race three would decide whether it would be Paul Burton or Cobb who would take overall victory.
The wind was now even stronger, meaning only Paul Burton, Cobb and Tack/Slator lined up for the start.
Paul Burton and Cobb tried to outmanoeuvre each other for the better start, which left Tack and Slator to steal the start and make the most of an early lead.
The tussling duo eventually passed them to continue their battle for the outright win – and it was Cobb who managed to keep close enough to take the win.
With Cobb the overall winner, Burton secured second place behind Tack and Slator, with Cook clinching fourth.
