More favourable weather conditions allowed Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club to finally complete their postponed Punchbowl Trophy – and the sailors produced a hugely-exciting race.
Held at their Stanborough Lakes home and with a Le Mans-style start, the race was eventually won by Annette Walter and Michael Ettershank in a Comet.
Going off first the holders, in one of the slowest dinghies, easily held off second place David Lambert and Patrick Rohart in the faster Supernova failing to make up the nearly 20 minute deficit by the end of the three-hour event.
Roger Morse and Tony Hale in a leader were third while the junior shield went to Ben Hawker and Tom Etheridge.
The unusual format requires boats to change crews after every lap and provided entertainment for the spectators especially when the wind freshened.
They saw the exuberance of the younger helms leaping in and out of boats contrasting with the more stately changeovers of others.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here