The Leader Open at Hickling Broad Sailing Club saw a splendid weekend of good weather and fabulous sailing in a good strong breeze.
By the close of the open after a downriver event on Saturday and racing on Sunday, Ben Rickards, of HBSC, was first, Chris Wharmby of Milton Keynes SC second and Ian Ayres of Rollesby Broad SC third.
Sunday's racing was conducted in a good, consistent wind from the north. Twenty-three boats meant an excellent turnout in a variety of classes, alongside the Leader group who raced separately. The wind strength and conditions favoured the Solo fleet who were the top three in race one – Kevin Postlethwaite, Dave Hearsum and Robert Hawkins the one, two and three. Postlethwaite and Hawkins were first and second in the second race, while Peter Dearnley's Wayfarer broke the pattern to come third.
After lunch the wind strength slightly increased, if anything, and the Punts performed sailing acrobatics on the water. Despite this the Dearnley Wayfarer won first slot, David Shipstone's Finn second and Chris Larter's Solo snuck into third on handicap. In the final race with numbers dwindling through tiredness and sunburn an old club trio of the Dearnley Wayfarer, the Postlethwaite Solo and the Larter Solo again trumped the Punts for a final one, two and three.
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