Val Millward is victories at the Scottish Open Challenger Championship in Kippford
Grantham sailor Val Millward has returned with a trophy treble after successfully defending her Scottish Open Challenger Championship crown.
She finished as first lady, won the final outing of the four races and took top spot overall in the event at Kippford.
After travelling up on the Friday, the action started the next day after the Challenger boats had been towed two at a time by Solway Firth Yacht Club members from the launch area to the course.
The wind, however, was not strong enough to allow competitors to sail against the incoming tide.
The first race was led from start to finish by David Driffel from Ogston, closely followed by Val.
Di Faulkes from Colston Bassett had worked her way through the fleet as had Duncan Greenhalgh from Bassenthwaite, a previous winner of the event, and they came third and fourth respectively.
Duncan then won the second race with Val second, David third and Di fourth with the results proving to be important at the end of the series.
It left Val needing a win in the third race of the series.
There was a good breeze and all began well but Duncan and David were in front.
Val managed to pass David but could not get by Duncan as all three rounded the last mark together.
Duncan crossed the finish line first, followed by David with Val third.
Due to the tide and decreasing wind, the race committee had to start the final race three times.
When they were finally underway, Val continued to increase her lead throughout the race and came home first.
Lynn Steward from Wigan and St Helens was second with Di third and David fourth.
Duncan was over the line at the start and had to go back and restart which put him in eighth place.
None of the competitors had seen the final results.
Val knew she had a score of five, 2+2+1, but was unaware that due to Duncan's last race result he had to count of 4+1+1 which came to six.
David had 1+3+2 which also came to six, due to Di forcing him into fourth place in the last race.
It gave Val the overall win and she returned to Grantham with the three trophies she had taken back to Scotland earlier.
If you are disabled and would like to become part of a sport that is both relaxing but can be competitive, North Hykeham Sailing Club have a Sailability Group that meets on Fridays while the Rutland Sailing Club one meets on Thursdays.