The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Emma Agar lifted Welland Yacht Club’s Brass Monkey Trophy on Boxing Day to further highlight the impressive junior talent emerging at Cradge Bank.
In what was the last race of the 2016 season and the final race of the already-decided Frostbite Series, the Brass Monkey Trophy was the big prize on offer.
A strong wind and bright sunshine greeted the 12 competitors in ten boats, which included three from the junior section.
With multiple capsizes before the start, one boat had to retire prior to the race getting under way.
Once it finally got started, the boats soon tacked their way up the course and made good speed in the gusty conditions.
However, the strong winds caught out even some of the more experienced sailors – and there were four more retirements during the first lap.
TOP TALENT: Emma Agar with the Brass Monkey Trophy.
The five remaining boats completed the second lap, although not without a few more capsizes on the way.
Although the pairing of Andy Prior and Tom Bell were first across the line on the water, they had to wait until the handicaps were applied to see if they retained the win.
In the end, it was perhaps fitting that – in a season that has shown that the juniors can compete and win against the adults – the race win went to young Agar, with Prior and Bell forced to settle for second.
Neal Tack and Rebecca Slator took third, with Frostbite Series winner Paul Burton fourth ahead of Lucy Burton in fifth.
The 2017 season gets under way in April, with anybody looking to give sailing a try advised to contact the club via email at secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk
