The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Two wins steered Andy Prior to overall victory at Welland Yacht Club’s Ralph Gibson Trophy event on Sunday.
Aided by warm weather and a strong breeze – almost perfect conditions for sailing – six boats started the first race.
Paul Burton, in his supernova, lost valuable seconds at the start but soon took the lead after making up ground.
He remained ahead throughout the second lap and took line honours.
Crucially, his lead over both Prior and Tom Bell (both on lasers) narrowed.
Also on the long beat back down the river Prior managed to overtake Bell and opened up a small lead – which he held on until the finish to cross the line in second place.
However, once boat handicaps were applied Prior took first with Bell taking second by only two seconds from Burton.
Daughter Lucy Burton (laser radial) took fourth, with Geri van Haren (phantom) in fifth.
Van Haren wasn’t able to compete in the second race but had been replaced by Ros Nickols in her Europe and with all to play for getting a good start in race two was vital.
As the starting bell went a number of boats were in good positions but a sudden wind shift changed that and it was Prior who was able to tack onto port and get clear.
Prior was able to build on this good start and clear wind and gradually opened up a good lead to finish two minutes ahead of Bell who in turn was comfortably ahead of Burton followed by Nickols.
Once handicaps were applied Prior took victory from Bell then Nickols, Paul Burton and Lucy Burton.
That left Prior first overall, with Bell second and Paul Burton third.
