Sailors' May series proves a hit - in July

Saturday brought light winds and race officer Fred Hilgers began with a simple triangle course, extending it in the second and third races as the wind increased.

Tight racing in the Solo class saw Mark Harper win the first two races with Roger Puttock taking the third.

The top three positions in the Firefly fleet changed throughout, with Martin Jones winning the first race and Harvey and Sophia Hillary taking the second and third. Will and Rory Parrett threw away second place in the third race with a capsize at the windward mark.

In the general handicap Sue Manning (Laser 4.7) sailed superbly to win all three races, with Andrew Buchanan (Finn) second in each and Roger Francis (Graduate) third.

On day two, race officer Carol Andrews delayed the start until a breeze filled in from the north, a simple and effective triangle course was set with a long beat up to Fishbourne and downwind sections to Hook and Quay.

Weedy conditions kept racers busy clearing their rudders.

In the Solo class Stephen Holcroft won the first two races with Simon Verrall taking the third.

The result of the last race might have been different had leaders Harper and Puttock realised it was three laps instead of two.

Harper won the series and the Martell Challenge Trophy with Holcroft second and Puttock third.

The Fireflies of the Parretts and the Hillarys enjoyed close racing with Shaun and Zara Pollard chasing in third.

The Parretts won the first race but could not hold off the Hillarys in the second.

The Hillarys took the series and historic Dell Quay Quart with a race to spare.

In the general handicap class Buchanan won the first and last races with Francis winning the second.

Manning was series victor and took the Sam Burke Trophy, with Buchanan second and Francis third.