Fourteen Broads One Designs have returned from Windermere where they were invited for three days racing as guests of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club.

The round trip of 600 miles was made by members of The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club and the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club who enjoyed splendid hospitality from their hosts.

Racing in such a picturesque setting, with rolling mountains and rocks to avoid rather than Norfolk reeds and on larger inland waters than usual, was an exhilarating experience.

In the first race the fleet began a three-mile beat in the north end of the lake which provided plenty of options in such a wide expanse. The wind was a steady northerly force three and the lead was soon taken up by Jimmy Tubby, sailing Marsh Harrier, but closely followed by Henry Harston in Puffin and Danny Tyrrell sailing Harnser. Although the fleet spread out across the lake they converged at the windward mark closely together.

The long run back to the second mark was testing as wind arrived with differing pressures sweeping down the high slopes that surround the lake. Ian Masters picked up places along with Mark Duffield and Liz Rudd to finish behind the front three.

In the second race, sailed to different buoys but equally testing, Jimmy Tubby was challenged all the way by young Ben Campbell in Kittiwake who was pipped at the post by Henry Harston and Tim Barret in Kite.

Sadly on the second day the wet and windy weather set in leaving no option but for racing to be cancelled with heavy gusts and poor visibility in evidence.

Day three provided further contrasts as the gentle breeze was forecast to strengthen considerably before midday.

Much to the surprise of all the wind dropped away to leave a flat calm. Boats moved with isolated puffs and so places changed frequently.

Early front runners became marooned as others slipped past. Eventually the breeze slipped down from the mountains with Chris Dicker sailing Falcon ahead of Ian Masters and Danny Tyrell while Jimmy Tubby and Ben Campbell dead heated for fifth place just behind Henry Harston.

Overall winner of the Travellers Trophy was Marsh Harrier followed in second place by Puffin.