Prior takes the Robert Glenn Trophy

The sun made a welcome return on Sunday for the final regatta of the season the Robert Glenn Trophy at Welland Yacht Club.
With a fairly strong breeze and even stronger gusts, most of the laser sailors had elected to use their smaller radial rigs.
So six boats took to the line for the start of the first race, one full laser rig and five radials, Alan Cox getting away in the lead followed by Tom Bell then the full rig of Alan Chapman, Alistair Mitchell, Andy Prior and finally Mark Holland.
As the boats tacked their way up river, Prior started to make progress through the fleet and had gained the lead from Bell on rounding the up river mark with Cox in third.
Chapman unfortunately found the windy condition just too much for the full rig laser and retired from the race.
Holland and Mitchell were left to fight it out for fourth place on the way back to the clubhouse to complete the first lap.
On rounding the clubhouse mark, Prior’s toe strap broke causing a capsize allowing Bell to take the lead as they began the second lap.
Cox also managed to pass Prior before he finally got himself going again but without the toe strap this would be a challenge in keeping his boat upright.
Meanwhile Holland had increased his lead over Mitchell on the second up river leg.
Prior tried to close in on the top spot but to no avail with Bell first across the line, followed by Prior only three seconds later, then Cox, Holland and Mitchell.
With Chapman retiring from the race the remaining boats were all the same class and with no handicap to apply the result was the finishing order.
With Prior able to fix his toe strap, the five radials took to the start of the second race. This time Prior led from Bell, then Cox, Mitchell and Holland.
Again the race was set for two laps and as Prior edged out an increasing lead, Bell and Cox would fight it out for second whilst Mitchell and Holland fought over fourth.
On the second lap Holland, following a second capsize, retired from the race. Prior was first across the line followed by Cox, Bell and Mitchell.
With the final race of the day set to a single lap, Prior led from the start followed by Cox then Bell, Holland and Mitchell.
On the approach to the upriver mark Mitchell moved up to third then fell back to fourth as Bell retook his position, leaving Prior taking the line again ahead of Cox followed by Bell then Mitchell and Holland.
So overall Prior takes the Robert Glen Trophy from Bell second, Cox third, Mitchell fourth, Holland fifth and Chapman sixth.
Bell and Cox were tied on seven points but Bell’s win gives him second place.
Next Sunday will see the start of the frostbite series.
Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should contact the club by email secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk