West Riding Sailing Club, Wakefield, Yorkshire

There was an improved turnout for the second week of the Early Spring Series on Sunday 9^th March, but still with room for improvement.  The benign spring sunshine lulled 13 boats out onto the water - and then punished them with unannounced squalls at frequent intervals throughout the day.

OOD Tim Keighley enjoyed himself shuffling the new buoys to provide some courses with different views and angles from the usual.

No less than 6 Solos (practising for the 30^th March Open Meeting?), 3 Lasers, an RS200, a Finn, Harry Ellis's Swordfish and you-know-who in a Vago, made up the numbers.  The racing was good and close, with a different winner for each of the three races. The first was a Solo benefit with Mark Weston, Howard Frear and Jonathan Gledhill finishing in that order after a close race.  John Gledhill and James Porter disputed 4^th place before James pulled out with suspected damage after a big squall.

After a communal lunch around one long table in the clubhouse, the second race got underway in a white horse wind. Jonathan announced his approval by running away with the race, even leading Mike Woodhead's Finn on the water for the first lap before the correct pecking order was established.  Mark chased hard for second with Howard third and Mike fourth.

There was a fanfare of trumpets as the new Sailing Secretary, Owyn Wallace, drove in through the gates and took to the water in a borrowed Laser.  He was quick to point out that although its number was several hundred thousand newer than the Wallace Laser, this wouldn't make any difference.  It did, and Owyn fairly sped round the course to finish first on the water and first on handicap. The Solos again had their own private battle, Mark holding off Jonathan and Howard for second third and fourth spots.

The wind perversely died as boats were hurriedly packed away with the forecast of the "storm of the century" in mind. We're still waiting - famous last words!  Let's hope it's all over and done with before next weekend.  Check out the forecast for next Sunday on this website's visitor section.  Even if it looks too windy to sail, come along and watch the excitement.  Better still, be part of the action.