Consistency sees Cox claim Ralph Gibson crown at Welland Yacht Club

Alan Cox secured victories in two of the three races at Welland Yacht Club on Saturday to lift the Ralph Gibson Trophy.

Competitors were faced with a welcome breeze from the north over the clubhouse, which was to test them over the course of the day.

However, it also created a major wind shadow in the starting area and around buoy number one.

Seven boats came to the start line for race one, with Mark Scourfield in the Solo timing his start well from the middle of the river, closely followed by Cox (Laser Radial) and Alan Chapman (Laser full rig).

Scourfield’s lead was shortened and he was eventually overtaken by Chapman and Cox, as the wind came from behind and the remaining boats led by Martin Cook (Solo) and Alister Mitchell (Laser Radial) also caught up.

The key moment at the front saw Scourfield, Cox and Chapman have a tacking battle – but a mistake by Scourfield resulted in a capsize and ensured the other two would battle it out for victory.

Chapman just managed to cross the line ahead of Cox, followed by Scourfield who pipped Mitchell for third.

After handicaps were applied it was Cox who took the win, followed by Chapman and Mitchell.

Race two saw Gerri van Haren (Phantom) and Keiron Powell (club Laser on full rig) join the party.

Again, it was Scourfield who timed his start better and he led from the off, followed by Cox, Powell and van Haren.

However, by the time they’d rounded the first buoy it was van Haren at the front ahead of Powell, with Chapman and Scourfield behind. However, a mistake by Powell later on saw him hitting a buoy – meaning he had to take a penalty turn, which would impact the final result.

After an hour of sailing it was van Haren who crossed the line first followed by Scourfield and Cox, but handicaps saw Scourfield take the win from Cox in second and Cook in third.

The course was shortened for the deciding race of the day and it was Cox who got a gust of wind allowing him to get a flying start and sail into a lead that was never threatened.

He held on to his lead and crossed the line in first, followed by Scourfield in second and Chapman. The top two remained the same after handicap, but Mitchell moved up to third.

That gave Cox (4pts) overall glory from Scourfield (7pts) and Mitchell (10pts).