SUNDAY saw the last day of sailing before the three-month winter break at Evesham and there was an enormous turnout with the Avon covered in sails to enjoy the surprisingly warm early winter sunshine.
Ian Haywood has to be congratulated again for being the first boat across the line in both races after a wonderful season when at times he has been unstoppable.
Having said that, however, the final result was in doubt for each race until right to the end.
With a start downstream, the line was packed tight and out of the crowd of six or seven boats turned together over the first lap of the course.
Eventually John Pickford and Haywood broke away by four boat lengths with the former staying in front.
Behind these two, five boats constantly changed places in an effort to close this narrow gap.
This remained the situation almost to the end where Hay-wood again managed to creep in front with Pickford, Green, Middleton, Edwards and Styles almost line astern behind.
The last event of the year saw Haywood and Green sail away from the whole fleet.
The lead changed hands continuously between the duo but it was Pickford who eventually managed to close the gap but Haywood was again victorious.
A MIXED fleet of boats - Solos, Enterprises, Comet and the Club Wanderer -took to the water at the Arden club at Defford to contest the third race in the November Handicap Series.
Nial Campbell was reunited with regular crew Jane Smee and the pair led from start to finish.
The consistent Andrew Potts just failed to make his handicap count having to settle for second place, while the experienced Richard Drinkwater crewed by veteran John Oates retained third place from the fast finishing Alan Salerman and Kim Tyler.
A mid race collision between the Wanderer and Ralph Evans' Solo saw the Wanderer retire and Evans' hopes of a good finish dashed.
With only two more races, every point counts as there are several boats in contention, although Potts is currently at the top of the standings.
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