After the post Pyefleet Week malaise and a couple of weekends when wind stopped play it was terrific to see a fleet of five BODs back out on the water on Sunday 18 September for a three race windward leeward mini series that provided fantastically close racing and some great spectating.

Conditions were near perfect with lovely sunshine and a nice northerly of around 8 knots so Jeremy and Barry Newman set windward leeward courses which took the fleet from the Bateman’s starting line on a beat up river, before turning back to run past Brightlingsea Creek to the leeward mark. Not only did this give a perfect course, but it allowed those at BSC and along the prom to keep a close eye on proceedings.

From the off Mark White in White Spirit had the bit between his teeth and with a 1, 2, 1 scoreline he won the series by a two point margin. Mark and Debby Wilby and Phil Holding proved that The Mike has what it takes to win races too though and with a 2, 1, 3 scoreline they claimed second overall, their best result of the year and their first ever race victory. Geoff Gritton placed third and naturally took the endless ribbing from The Mike’s crew in his stride!

Rounding out the results were Graham and Claire Bridle in Blue Peter with the Ruff Boys in fifth.