ON A COLD day in a light breeze, nine boats took to the river for the final race of the season at Arden Sailing Club at Defford.

Race officer Dave Bowen set a testing course in the prevailing conditions with the first mark not far upstream from the start line.

Andrew Potts (Solo) took a good lead from the Enterprise of Niall Campbell and Jane Smee, while Eric Ison's Laser was seen doing penalty turns from which he never recovered.

By the completion of the first lap, the Enterprise had taken the lead from the ever improving similar craft of Stuart and Caroline Stephen.

Dave Bryden's Heron, meanwhile, was last on the water and Bowen nearly finished him as he was so far behind!

The weather gods now decided to take a hand and, during the second lap, the rest of the fleet changed places several times as Bryden remained at the back.

However, as the fleet began to finish, the wind filled in behind the Heron to such an extent that, when the handicaps were worked out, Bryden was decl-ared the winner ahead of Cam-pbell and Smee.

The final event of the year is the Christmas Dinner on Friday, December 16. Contact Helen on 01905 23298 to book your place - the list is filling up fast.