A smaller than normal turn out due to holidays sailed the program at Evesham Sailing Club last Sunday. A strong and gusting north westerly wind provided them with a test of their skills and survival.

In the first heat Ian Edwards, Adam Styles, John Pickford and Simon Newman headed for the first mark set just above the weir in a flurry of spray. Pickford rounded the mark first, followed by Styles who then had to do penalty turns after touching the mark. Edwards capsized leaving Pickford to capitalize and open up a lead. Newman struggled in the conditions, but valiantly pressed on, avoiding the  carnage at the mark. Styles recovered and set off after Pickford, eventually catching him on the penultimate lap, and crossed the line in  first place only having to concede to Pickford on handicap. Edwards sailed into third place.

The second heat saw Pickford in the lead with Edwards and Newman both capsizing, the lead opening up as Edwards got caught by a vicious gust which blew him over again, and in trying to recover found himself driven into the far bank with his centreboard and rudder both entangled in the weeds and shrubbery. This called for the patrol boat to come to his aid and thus rendering him as unable to carry on due to having outside assistance, allowing Pickford to win unchallenged.

Fickle westerly winds greeted Evesham Sailing Club members on Sunday, but both races were completed.

The first race was a pursuit, where the Comets started first, followed by the Moths and then the Lightnings. Roger Middleton had a good lead by the time all the boats had started, Ian Edwards and John Pickford chasing hard and being pursued by Simon and Adam Styles in the Lightnings. All the helms had difficulty in keeping on the move one minute, and then having a sudden lift to propel them on their way. This was the same throughout the race, Edwards succumbed to Pickford who then took the lead, the Styles' closed up on Edwards leaving Middleton in their wake. A three way battle then ensued for second and third places until the hour long race finished with Pickford first and Edwards second after an epic duel with Simon Styles in third.

After the tea break, the next race, a handicap started. Edwards and Simon Styles making the break with Adam and Pickford trailing behind, Middleton having retired. On the downwind leg they all closed up with barely a hull width separating them. Pickford got a lucky lift and sped away from the rest, only to be passed again on the next downstream leg. Approaching the next mark, he again got a lift and regained the lead, which he held onto until the finish. The battle for second and third continued with Edwards and Simon again neck and neck, Edwards just getting his bow in front at the line, with both the Styles' boats finishing less than a length apart.

The club is intending to attempt to complete their sailing program whilst the demolition of the old clubhouse takes place and the new clubhouse is built. The changes in the appearance of the club site, when finished will hopefully enhance the open area alongside the river, and will be a big improvement on the current clubhouse which has stood there for 46 years. The new building will be a chalet type structure having a lower profile and will be mounted on a floatation device which in the event of flooding, will rise with the river level, keeping the building intact and dry.

Last Sunday saw a good turnout for the Weir Meadow Trophy competition at the Common Rd Club. Sailed over three heats, with all to count, there was keen competition despite the fickle north westerly breeze.

The first heat had a chase down stream to the gybe mark with Peter Green, John Pickford and Roger Middleton leading the fleet. It was always going to be a close race as the wind rose and fell and changed direction on every lap. Frustrating as it was, there was some very close racing with the lead changing several times. Green and Pickford opened up a gap over the rest, with Pickford eventually taking the lead. This he held for most of the remaining laps until the closing lap when he was caught by Green who retook the lead and Ian Edwards who made a strong challenge which Pickford managed to hold off. The result being Green first, Pickford second and Edwards third.

After a welcome break for lunch, the second heat got under way with Middleton and Tony Jacks taking the initiative and opening up a good lead with Green and Pickford battling to stay with them. Both were eventually passed on lap two, with Pickford again leading. This wasn't to last as Edwards made his way through the fleet to challenge for the lead. These three battled for the remaining laps with Middleton slowly gaining on them. Both Green and Edwards passed Pickford in the closing lap but, even though they crossed the line in front, they had to concede to Middleton on handicap. The result, Middleton first, Green second and Edwards third.

With the contest wide open, the third heat started in failing winds, Green making such a good start that it opened up the fleet in the chase. Edwards was the only one to challenge, Pickford having to fight off Jacks attention in order to hold onto third. The result, Green first, Edwards second and Pickford third.

Green took the honours after a fine display of tactical sailing in some difficult conditions.

With a forecasted wind of only 5mph predicted, Evesham sailors were surprised when they encountered a south westerly blowing at 15/20mph. Coupled with the glorious sunshine, the conditions could not have been better. Over a course using the full length of available river, the first race,  a pursuit, was a battle between the Moths and the Comets. Having a short interval before the Moths were released, the Comets of Clive Edwardes and Roger Middleton flew away from the start and had put some distance behind them by the time the Moths of Ian Edwards, John Pickford, & Richard Sutton were released. The Moths soon showed their pace catching and passing  the Comets, leaving a duel for the lead between Edwards and Pickford, Sutton having to retire.  Pickford passed Edwards but had a capsize on the run, Edwards planing upstream opening the gap. Having recovered, Pickford set about chasing after Edwards, and closed the gap by the next lap. Behind them a battle between the Comets ended when Middleton capsized leaving Edwardes to chase after the Moths. Edwards had slowed due to weed on his foils giving Pickford a chance to retake the lead which he narrowly held on to for the remaining minutes of the race. Edwards second, and Edwardes third.

In the same conditions over the same course, the second race , a handicap, was again a three way battle for the lead. Edwards got away first but was soon caught by Pickford who slowly opened up a gap. Edwards had no answer until the closing laps when he found a surprising turn of speed and closed up on Pickford's transom. Pickford, managing to hold off the challenge, crossed the line first, Edwards second, and Edwardes third.

With fine weather and a light wind to start with, Evesham sailors gathered at the Common Rd club last Sunday to sail in two handicap races.

Nine boats lined up for the first race in ever freshening winds and immediately vied for position to be first round the first mark and gain clear air. Adam & Simon Styles in their Lightnings led, with Peter Green having a good start, chasing close and soon leading, only to miss the second mark and have to reverse his course to get back on course, losing places to John Pickford, Ian Edwards & Tony Jacks. Some of the runs upstream with stronger winds helped to power the crews up to the upstream mark with spray everywhere. Edwards did penalty turns after an infringement leaving Pickford to chase after the leading pair of Adam & Simon Styles. Adam had the race in the bag with Simon finishing a close second, but the drama of the race was the finishing of Edwards and Jacks who both closed right up on Pickford after an exhilarating planing run and joined in a battle in beating to the line to finish. In the end it was declared a tie for third place between Pickford & Edwards with Jacks missing out on a place by less than half a length.

The second race, held in fresher winds was a repeat performance for the Styles pair, with the battle for third place being fought by Green, Edwards, Jacks & Pickford. Edwards was forced to retire after damaging his sail. Green and Jacks passed Pickford who had slowed, but after clearing a lily pad from his rudder, speeded up to re-pass Green. Jacks however had opened up a gap and held on to third place to the finish. The race officers, Rod & Julie Stephens had managed to run the races over a demanding but sensible course in the changing conditions, with the patrol boat having no work to do in assisting errant crews.

A brisk wind straight down river helped the programmed two handicap races to be held at Evesham Sailing Club last Sunday.

In the First race, it was a bad start for Peter Green who was considered over the start line at the signal, and had to go back to re-cross the line to start. Ian Edwards and Simon Styles led the fleet with John Pickford and Roger Middleton next, Green soon making up for his bad start, got amongst the fleet and was soon back in the race. Edwards and Styles fought it out at the front of the fleet, barely a boats length between them, whilst Green and Pickford had a duel of their own for third place. Pickford missed a mark and gave Green the advantage, holding on to the end of the race. Edwards and Styles finished so close, that the race officer, Tony Jacks, awarded a dead heat on the water, only reaching a decision by the handicap, and giving the win to Edwards, Styles second and Green third.

After a break for tea, the second race started , with resumption of the duels from the first race. Behind the leading pair of Edwards and Styles, Pickford and Green carried the race on and, with the wind slowly subsiding, Green caught Pickford and slowly opened up a gap. Edwards and Styles themselves had opened up a gap which proved impossible for Green to close in the remaining laps. Edwards made sure of the win by beating Styles by several lengths, Green coming in a well sailed third place.

The heavy overnight rain raised the water level in the Avon to such a degree that together with the fast flow, sailing was very difficult at the Evesham club on Sunday. However the two programmed races went ahead.

The first, a pursuit had the Moths starting off scratch with the Lightning just 42 seconds behind, immediately the hard task of beating against the flow was apparent, any slackening of the wind causing the boats to drift back down stream. Ian Edwards took up the challenge, with Peter Green hounding him in the opening phase of the race. John Pickford and Simon Styles struggling to make headway, fell behind Styles eventually passing Pickford on the downstream leg. Edwards remained unchallenged, Green not being able to get within striking distance. Result, Edwards 1st, Green 2nd, and Styles 3rd.

The second race was a handicap, with Green and Pickford leading off the line, Edwards having to do penalty turns after an infringement at the start, and Styles finding a hole in the wind took some time to clear the line. Green took a good lead, while Pickford just couldn't make any notable headway. Edwards caught up with Green on the second lap and a game of cat and mouse ensued, both leading for a while until the other took the initiative. Styles recovered and sailed into third place, Pickford deciding to retire. At the finish, it was Green who took the win, with Edwards second and Styles third.

With a brisk southerly breeze and fine weather, the Evesham Sailing clubs programmed Chelmay Cup competition was sailed in perfect conditions. The first of the three heats had Simon and Adam Styles in their Lightnings take an early lead chased by Tony Jacks (Lightning) and John Pickford (Moth). The rest of the fleet being left behind as the battles for position at the front were fought. A gap between the leaders soon opened up with the chasing pair of Jacks and Pickford having a duel of their own until Pickford sailed the wrong course and in rectifying his mistake, lost out to Jacks who sailed into third place behind Adam in first place and Simon second.

After lunch, the second heat started much the same way as the first, although Simon was leading for most of the opening two laps. Behind them were Jacks and Pickford, resuming their duel, this time it was Pickford who managed to sail clear into third place behind Adam first, and Simon second.

The third and final heat was sailed in a strengthening wind and it took all their skills before the start, when manoeuvring for position to avoid collisions. Simon and Pickford led off the line, but it was not long before Adam passed Pickford to start the chase after Simon. Again it was Jacks who was all over Pickford's transom and for the third time these two enjoyed a race long duel for third place, the rest of the fleet becoming spread out along the course. Each lap saw a change in the position between these two, until in the closing stages Jacks got the better of Pickford and sailed over the line in third place, only to find Pickford claiming the place on handicap. Adam was first again with Simon Second. Adam took home the silverware, Simon second overall and Pickford third.

The light winds prevented a full program being sailed at Evesham Sailing Clubs meeting. The race officer Simon Newman, did his best to find some wind on the river course but it proved very difficult.

In the only race of the day, Richard Sutton in his first outing of the season, managed to break away from the rest of the fleet right from the start. The chasing pack of Adam Styles, Roger Middleton and John Pickford, all struggled to make headway against the current. At the first mark, the fleet closed up, Sutton getting away on the downstream leg and still maintaining his lead. Pickford managed to round the mark in second place and began the task of closing up on Sutton. A breeze towards the weir helped him to achieve this, but also gave Styles the help he needed to stay in touch with the leading duo. Pickford caught Sutton on the beat and then had to defend against a closing Styles, who eventually passed Pickford on the next lap. Middleton caught Sutton on the penultimate lap making the final positions Styles first , Pickford second and Middleton third.

Next Sunday is the clubs competition for the Chelmay Cup which usually provides some lively competition. Sailed over three heats , the racing starts at 12.00 noon

The sun shone on Common Road last Sunday, as two handicap races were set by the race officer, Rod Stephens. Using his experience, a tricky course was set with a start upstream towards the railway bridge.

Adam Styles helming the Lark with his crew, Sam Bell, powered into the lead, followed by father Simon Styles in his Lightning. The two Moths of Peter Green and John Pickford closely behind with Roger Middleton (Comet), plus Simon Newman (Topper) chasing hard. The gap between the  Lark and the Lightning got wider as Adam and Sam pushed hard to overcome their handicap rating. Green slowly succumbed to Pickford and Middleton, after making good progress, capsized on the run which put paid to his place. Despite leading the fleet over the line, Adam and Sam were beaten by Simon Styles on handicap, having to settle for second place with Pickford in third.

In the second race, Adam changed boats and sailed his Lightning. At the start signal the two Lightnings shot into a lead followed by Pickford, Green and Newman in close order. The two Styles battled it out for a lap with Simon in the lead, but soon Adam got the bit between his teeth and sailed into clear air, passing Simon and slowly opening up a gap. Pickford could not respond, but put space between himself and Green to keep in third  place  whilst trying to close the gap on Simon. At the finish it was Adam, Simon, and Pickford finishing in that order and the handicaps not coming into play.

Following heavy rainfall over the previous few days, leading to a high river level and a fast flow, the sailors at the Evesham club had a challenging  but rewarding afternoons sailing down at Common Road last Sunday. The race officer, Peter Green set a course to ensure that the sailors were not in any danger of being swept too near the weir.  

In the first race, Adam styles had a flyer of a start and went into the lead until a mass coming together at the first mark had several crews in trouble as they attempted to gybe round. Ian Edwards caused mayhem and ended up doing penalty turns, while Roger Middleton and John Pickford managed to sail away from the mark and set off in pursuit of Adam. These three  opened up a gap with Simon Styles, Simon Newman and Edwards, now recovered from his penalty, bringing up the rear. These positions did not stay for  long as Edwards and Styles senior took advantage of some good lifts, and powered upstream to catch Pickford and Middleton who were side by side, having a ding dong battle of their own. Having swept aside the latter two, Edwards and Styles senior then gave chase after Adam but to no avail as he kept his lead to the end. Edwards got second place and Middleton was awarded third on handicap.

After a break for tea, and the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, the second race got under way. Edwards and Pickford stole the lead and had a hard chasing Styles duo chasing hard. Whilst Edwards managed to fight off the Styles' challenges, Pickford could only watch as the pair passed him and opened up a gap. The main battle was then between Edwards and Adam Styles, with Edwards having to defend time and time again with the challenges  of Adam. In the closing laps Edwards had to concede the lead to a strong challenge but managed to stay within reach and claim first place on handicap with Adam second and Simon Styles third.

Simon Styles, as race officer, set a tricky course to make the most of the wind at the weir end of the river at Evesham Sailing Club last Sunday.

The first race was a pursuit, using the latest handicap figures issued by the RYA. The new handicaps bring the different boats closer together, making for some very interesting results. Simon Newman (Mirror) set off, and had completed two laps before the Comets of Roger Middleton and Clive Edwardes were released, followed by Peter Green in his Moth and Tony Jacks in a Lightning. Over thirty minutes had elapsed before Newman was caught by Green but the best of the battles was for the second and third places. Middleton, Jacks and Edwardes were involved in close combat with their positions changing every lap until Edwardes capsized and was put out of contention. The remaining duo continued their duel until the hour signal sounded for the end of the race. The winner was Green, second was Jacks and third was Middleton.

The second race, a handicap, saw 8 year old Oliver Edwardes enter in his first race, in an Optimist. Although he didn't win, he gave some of his much older peers a fright by managing to keep in touch with them, and using his handicap, was only a few seconds short of beating one club member into second place. First was Peter Green, second was Simon Newman and young Oliver was third. Well done Oliver!

Another fine sunny day with a southerly breeze allowed the Evesham sailors to compete in two handicap races on Sunday.

The first race saw Peter Green (Moth) turn at the first mark being followed closely by Clive Edwardes (Comet), John Pickford (Moth),Tony Jacks (Lightning), Roger Middleton (Comet) and Simon Newman (Mirror) all in very close order. As the fleet began to open out, Green opened up a lead from Jacks and Pickford, with Edwardes and Middleton giving Pickford some close attention. The laps counted down, and Jacks relentlessly bore down on Green, eventually passing him on the run. Green, in the closing stages of the race capsized, giving Pickford a promotion in the running order. Edwardes closed right up on Pickford but could not pass him. At the line, it was Jacks in first, Pickford having to relinquish second place to Edwardes on handicap.

The second heat had Edwardes take the lead, Pickford and Jacks battling it out for position before Pickford took advantage of a wind shift and went into the lead. Jacks passed Edwardes  and started the chase for Pickford. The gap closed lap by lap and Pickford was caught on the run and passed by Jacks who held onto his lead to the finish. Pickford  managed to stay far enough in front of Edwardes to keep second place, with Edwardes in third.

In the first heat, a mass start saw the crews soon enjoying the reaches and sorting themselves into an ever changing procession, with the lead changing on each lap as each crew took advantage of what wind was available. Adam Styles and his father Simon, in their Lightnings, fought over first place, and John Pickford (Moth) caught them several times, with Tony Jacks (Lightning) just behind. On the last lap, all the crews turned at the last buoy together, but it was Adam who got away to take first, Simon having to relinquish second place to Pickford on handicap.

The first race was a pursuit with Simon Newman heading the fleet in his Mirror, followed at timed intervals by Ian Edwards and Peter Green in their Moths, and Simon & Adam Styles in their Lightnings. In the chase after Newman, Green got the better of Edwards and Edwards suffered the indignity of the first capsize of the season putting him out of contention. Adam battled with his father Simon and eventually went into the lead after passing Newman. This lead was slowly opened up, and the end result was Adam in first place, Simon in second, and Peter Green in third.