ARDEN club members started the main season's programme with the first of the Pursuit Series last weekend.

Three Enterprises pursued the Solo, Laser Pico and Topper fleet with the difficult and changeable conditions making it a slow and frustrating business to catch the first starters.

Eventually, the Enterprise of Niall Campbell and Jane Smee caught and slipped past the Solo of Ralph Evans to win the event.

Evans took a well-deserved second place followed in third place by the Enterprise of Alan Salerman crewed by Kim Tyler.

The second race of the afternoon was the first of the Strensham Series in which the Arden sailors were able to use the whole stretch of river from Defford to Strensham Lock.

The wind had by now died down making the return from the Strensham mark against the current particularly testing.

Concentration paid off and, after a long race, third place was taken by Val Jolly in her Topper, second by Jeremy and Michelle Griffiths (Enterprise) and first by Campbell and Smee.

A warm welcome is extended to all who would like to try sailing at the club's Open Day on Sunday when the action gets under way at 1am.

Directions to the venue will be signposted from the A4104 Pershore to Upton-on-Severn road at Defford. For more information contact Helen on 01905 23298 or Ray on 01386 554109.