EVESHAM Sailing Club held its first competitive event of the year on Sunday when there was an encouraging turnout of freshly painted and varnished boats.

It was John Robertson and John Pickford who took first and second spot respectively in both races but the positions were never secure.

At any time it could have been one of six or seven helms who could have finished in front as the lead changed hands on a regular basis.

Ian Edwards claimed the first capsize of the year with Roger Middleton a close second!

The event began with a steady breeze from the south east but, as the afternoon wore on, it became more and more gusty.

With the competition so close, along with the concentration to stay upright, nobody really noticed the change from warm sunshine to quite steady rain.

Robertson claimed the leading position in only the last moments of each race alth-ough Richard Smalley looked as if he was going to hang on in the first to be beaten in the last few yards by Robertson and Pickford.

The second event saw the same pair in nose to tail over the line but again they were harried all the way watched by a fair number of spectators who went to enjoy the competition.