A GREAT day’s racing was had by all 12 boats who competed in Sunday’s Harkers Yard Winter Series race in Burnham.

The dry and gentle breeze conditions were ideal for the 1.6 knt course through the fairway channel starting and finishing back at the Crouch Yacht Club.

The visitors, spanning from Lower Thames Rowing Club to Rowhedge and Brightlingsea, provided stiff competition for local boat Willow.

Three Spirit class boats joined the Harker’s Yard Gigs for the mixed and men’s races.

The ladies’ race was the first off the start line and Vanduara crew, from Brightlingsea, showed the rest of the girls how it’s done with an impressive one minute and 35 second lead on Record Reign, from Maldon, with Velocity, from Brightlingsea, 22 seconds behind in third place.

In the men’s race Vanduara had another resounding first place, more closely followed by a photo finish for second and joint third places taken by local boat Willow for second, Record Reign and Aquiline from Rowhedge sharing in third.

Spirit of Adventure (South Woodham Ferrers Rowing Club) took the lead in the Spirit class with Spirit of Trafalgar (Lower Thames Rowing Club) second.

Vanduara put the success from the first two races into a dominate lead in the final race for the mixed crews race.

The rest of the fleet were close behind with a number of boats approaching the turning mark at the same time.

With the tide firmly flooding by the second leg of the course it became very tactical and the fleet split to the two shores to avoid the tide.

Vanduara’s south shore tactic won the race, followed by Mehalah, from Mersea, and Velocity.

Spirit of Dunkirk (Lower Thames Rowing Club) clinched first place for the Spirit class followed by Spirit of Adventure.

The Burnham on Crouch Rowing Club would like to thank the Crouch Yacht Club for hosting the event, the Burnham RNLI for supporting the first race and all the helpers from the race management team, safety boat support and catering teams.

RESULTS: Ladies’: Vanduara, Record Reign, Velocity. Men’s: Vanduara, Willow, Record Reign& Aqualine. Mixed: Vanduara, Mehalah, Velocity.