TORRENTIAL rain and fie-rce winds appeared to have put paid to any thoughts of sailing on the river last Sun-day.

However, nine boats were ready to take their chances and a pale watery sun and a steady breeze from the south west rewarded brave souls from the Evesham club.

Both races were high quality affairs with the close-fought action fast and furious.

The starts were tightly packed with boats rocketing away downstream and Simon and Adam Styles, Ian Haywood, Paul and Anne Baylis, John Pickford, Jeremy Higson and Stuart Bonham were separated by only a coat of paint with the remaining three craft a mere 20 feet adrift.

The Styles' Lark slowly began to open a gap but, taking handicaps into account, it was never going to be enough.

The Moths of Haywood and Pickford with the Enterprise of the Baylis's hurried along in their wake and the Lark had to settle for third behind the two British Moths.

The second race enjoyed a strengthening wind and again the Lark was out in front with Simon and Adam working well together.

John Pickford and Paul and Anne were locked side by side with the Feva of Jeremy Higson well in contention.

With white water crashing from the bows of all the boats it was proving to be a hard race.

The Feva flicked over but Higson had it upright before you could blink and lost nothing in his pursuit.

John Pickford eventually crossed the line in front followed by the Lark with the Feva in third.