THE wind on the river last Sunday was already a good blow from the north.

With the weatherman's warning of increasing strength over the afternoon, a healthy number of members had turned up despite the rain and leaden sky, to take part in some of the most exciting action of the year.

On a tricky course, set by Mike Long, which contributed to some of the spills over the afternoon, all of the boats were away in the first race on a beat upstream to the railway bridge, turning for the long run downstream.

This put the wind at their backs and with it a great deal of instability as the boats accelerated.

John Pickford took an early lead with Ian Hay-wood slowly clawing his way past in some close racing.

None of the other crews, try as they might, could make any headway against the leading pair.

It was, however, one of the high speed runs that settled it. Haywood went over in a wild flurry of spray to end in the water and leave Pick-ford to sail on for a well deserved first place.

The second race took place in high winds and the fall-ing rain was forgotten in the speed and exhilaration of some excellent competition.

The first lap saw all of the boats turning together at the four buoys of the course.

With the lap completed Haywood had just about made it to the front but, travelling out of control in trying to turn at the next mark, he was in the water again to see everybody sail past and away.

This let Ian Edwards through who was appearing to relish the conditions. Although he couldn't break away only Pickford managed to seriously threaten his lead, but he was forced into evasive action to save a ducking when part of his rigging failed and he could only watch as everybody sailed by him.

This left Edwards in front and, although capsizing on the finish line, first place was his. This was a day that all the competitors had thoroughly enjoyed.