It was a day of mixed emotions at Buckenham Sailing Club on Sunday.

There was an eerie stillness at 11am as club members and sailors stood to observe the two-minute silence – just the flapping of sails, and sheets tapping on hulls as the racing dinghys waited to get on the water.

There was a fresh wind blowing up the river and more than a mere whiff from the Cantley Sugar Beet factory down river from the club.

In the first race, the Tangier Trophy, there was a very good turn-out and close racing.

The Javelins, Quicksilver and Big Zipper, sailed ahead of the fleet, but Quicksilver sailed by Ben Fisher and Ben Chapman missed a mark of the course and after going back to reround, had a real tussle with Chris Skedge and Chris Clitheroe in Big Zipper.

Quicksilver eventually crossed the line just seconds ahead of their close rivals to take line honours and hold their overall first place.

Big Zipper held on to second position. Trevor Whittaker came in seventh, but on corrected time took third place in his Solo, Skybird.

In the second race, Quicksilver and Big Zipper again dominated.

However, there was very keen sailing for the minor places, with three boats separated by just five seconds on corrected time.

It was Mike Spencer and crew Joseph Burrell who took third place on corrected time in their RSVision Natterjack, with Skybird just one second behind them.

It was a time for celebration too at BSC on Sunday. Paul Wright, a founder member and current President of Buckenham Sailing Club, celebrated his 80th birthday.

Club members joined Paul and his family for celebratory drinks and birthday cake in the clubhouse after sailing. Paul was brought up by the River Yare and has always 'messed around with boats'. With his boat yard beside the club house, Paul has been there to help many novice and experienced sailors with repairs and words of advice on their boats, sails and 'go-faster' bits.

Grandson Ben Fisher has followed in Paul's footsteps and continues to dominate the Winter Series at BSC.