ANOTHER hot and sunny day tempted a large number of Evesham sailors down to the Common Road club on Sunday.

The varying wind strength and shifts proved to be a real test of skill and patience.

The start upstream towards the railway bridge was to see a line of boats converging on the first mark with Paul and Anne Bayliss taking an early lead ahead of Jeremy Higson,Ian Haywood,and Peter Green.

John Pickford, recovering from an early mistake, led the remainder of the fleet.

After turning at the windward mark, Haywood opened up a lead but, only by correct reading of the fickle wind shifts, could any real progress be made.

Pickford made the best of the wind to sail up into second with Green in close pursuit and that is how the boats crossed the line.

The start of the second race was compromised by a narrow boat cruising over the line just as the start signal sounded causing the fleet to split into two groups.

Ian Edwards used the slight advantage to open up a lead at the windward mark chased by Adam Styles, Tony Jacks, Haywood and Pickford.

Edwards retired on lap two while and Haywood incurred penalty turns for an earlier infringement leaving the race open for Styles and Pickford to battle for honours.

Haywood eventually caught up with the leading pair making it a three-way duel for the honours. Pickford managed to break away from Styles with Haywood close behind.

On the line, it was Pickford first and Haywood getting the better of Styles on handicap by a mere three seconds. For more information log on to www.eveshamsailing.co.uk.