SAILING: Clean sweep for Prior

Andy Prior steered his Laser to a clean sweep of three wins at Welland Yacht Club on Sunday.

Seven boats took to the start for the first race - the sixth in the Morning Points series. Prior made the most of what little breeze there was to be first around the windward mark. He was followed by Brian Cobb (Europe), Tom Bell (Laser), Ros Nickols (Europe), Geri van Haren (Phantom), Mark Holland (Laser) and junior Olivia Hall (Topper).

Prior started to pull out a considerable lead during tacking back to the windward mark for a second lap. Meanwhile, Cobb and Nickols tried to maintain handicap distance from Bell and van Haren ahead of them.

Hall elected to take a timed single lap. So Prior led the fleet back over the finish line followed by Bell then van Haren, Cobb, Nickols and Holland.

* Results (after handicap): 1st Prior; 2nd Cobb; 3rd Nickols; 4th Bell

The first of the afternoon’s races was the third in the Commodore’s Points series. Three boats started and Prior got the lead from Bell.

With Holland hitting the windward mark and having to take a penalty turn, the front two started to pull out a substantial lead.

Twice Bell gained on Prior during the downwind run, only for Prior to pull away during the tacks in the upwind leg and take the win.

Final race of the day was the fourth in the same series. Six boats started, with Cobb, Gail Follington (Laser) and her daughter Katie (Laser Radial) involved too.

Cobb got away slightly ahead only to get caught by a gust and capsize, allowing Prior to round the windward mark first followed by Bell.

As they rounded the top mark, the lead two order remained the same now with Gail Follington in third from Holland, Katie Follington and, making up ground, Cobb.

He eventually caught Katie - however, Katie gained fourth spot through handicap.

l Result (after handicap): 1st Prior; 2nd Bell; 3rd Gail Follington; 4th Katie Follington

l Anyone wanting to find out more about sailing should email secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk