SAILING: Sun shining but no wind for Welland YC novice regatta

Although the sun was shining for Welland Yachting Club’s novice regatta on Sunday, the all important wind had gone into hiding.

With only two different classes of boat competing, the Solos of Martin Cook and Paul Wilson and Lasers of Gail Follington and Mark Holland were separated by personal handicap.

For the start of race one it looked like the wind had picked up a little.

Cook took the early lead and was first round the windward mark, followed by Follington then Wilson and Holland.

As they made their way up river to the top mark, the wind dropped away by the approach of the top mark and all four boats were level.

Cook was again first to round the mark and with the wind filling in slightly initial progress on the windward leg was good. But after the next bend the wind dropped away.

Cook crossed the line first, followed by Follington then Holland, with Wilson fourth to finish.

After handicaps were applied, Cook maintained the win, with Wilson moving up to second. Follington and Holland shared a corrected time to finish joint third.

For race two in the afternoon there was the promise of an increase in the breeze so a slightly shorter course was set.

As competitors were waiting for the start the wind changed direction creating a running start. Once underway the wind dropped yet again and the race was reduced to a single lap.

What little wind there was spilled over the riverbanks, creating the strange situation of two boats sailing in opposite directions but with both having the wind behind them.

Follington made it first across the line, with Holland next ahead of Cook and Wilson.

The finishing order remained the same when handicaps were applied.

By now the wind had dropped away completely and the third race was cancelled, leaving Martin Cook with overall victory from Gail Follington.

To find out more about sailing contact the club via email secretary@wellandyachtclub.co.uk