Light airs at Dittisham Sailing Club last Sunday provided tricky conditions and close racing.

Race officer Mike Bennett set a figure of eight course on a flooding tide. Competitors drifted across the line and set off towards Waddaton.

In the Laser fleet Barry Kenyon made a good start and went right, but lost out and never recovered.

The wind dropped but just as the race was due to be shortened a breeze came up which enabled the race to be completed.

Paul Honey was first Laser home, followed by Peter Symons and Bevis Wright. In the Solos Jonathan Weeks sailed a canny race to finish ahead of Richard Allen and light airs expert Frank Seear.

In the Radials Sue Thomas beat husband Martin. In the handicap fleet Roger Morley sailed well and finished well ahead of Martin Fodder in his Devon Yawl.

Third was young Allie Biggs in a Feva, who did well to finish the course. 

The wind increased slightly for the second race, which resulted in close tactical racing.

A battle developed between the leading Lasers and in the end Bevis Wright was first over the line ahead of Barry Kenyon, with Peter Symons third.

Jonathan Weeks again took line honours in the Solos, well ahead of Les Moores with Richard Allen third. In the Radials Martin Thomas levelled the score by beating his wife Sue into second. 

On Saturday Dittisham members John Wynn and Mike Bennett competed in the annual Start Bay race organised by the Old Gaffers Association.

In a light airs race with only four boats out of a fleet of eighteen completing the course, John showed good windward boat speed and was runner-up in group three in his pretty gaffer 'Swallow'. 

The next racing at Dittisham is on Sunday, July 14, starting at 10am.