NEARLY 150 boats competed in numerous classes as Blackwater Sailing Club held their annual club week.

A forecast of hot sunshine and steady breezes for the start of the week was eagerly anticipated by the competitors.

The mixed Laser was the largest fleet with 28 competitors and comprised mostly of Radial rigs, boosted by a good number of cadet members in 4.7’s.

Sailing secretary Andrew Field started strongly with a couple of wins but finished runner-up to John Crook, who won the main trophy by a single point.

The absence of a couple of regular winners in the Fireball class through injury meant this class was more open than previous years.

Race wins were shared between four different boats and the winner of this class came down to countback.

Maria Richards and Jon Chetland’s two wins meant they emerged winners, with Rear Commodore Steve Jarred runner-up.

The Wayfarer class had 12 entries this year boosted by several crews, who were relatively new to racing.

Race wins were shared by three boats and class captain Julian Berney was starting to get his smart Hartley very much on the pace as the week progressed.

However consistency paid off for former class winners Paul Trueman crewed by Marc Griggs. resulting in their names again being engraved on the trophy.

The number of boats competing in the club’s classic Sprite dinghies dating from the 1930s was disappointingly low this year but the class still produced some close racing.

Leading helms Bevis Wright and Commodore Chris Nichols have been vying for the overall honours in this class for many years.

This year saw a reversal in the result from last year, with Wright's four wins compared to Nichols' two delivered him and Tessa the main trophy for the week.

Numbers in the Mirror fleet continue to increase, with several of the leading club sailors crewed by their children competing in this class, also several of Friday adult sailors.

It was probably inevitable that Dan Dixon sailing with his son would win this class.

And although Julie Nelson and Kiley Gooch fought strongly and tied on points, the result in the final race gave the Dixons victory.

Vivienne Whitchurch’s consistency paid off as she won the small Topper fleet.

In the dinghy handicap classes, Gareth Davies and Rob Appleby in an International 14 won the fast handicap fleet.

The medium handicap class was the second largest fleet, with 27 entries.

It was no surprise that the top two positions were taken by Blazes, with Andy McIvor winning all races sailed and repeating his 2015 success in this fleet from second-placed Terry Crook.

Ian Smith made sure it was not an all Blaze top three by taking third, in his Solo.

The Fast Cruiser class had nine entries this year, with the top four boats consistently in contention.

The result on the windy final Saturday decided the outcome.

The fastest boat in the fleet, Bryan Southgate’s Sigma 8m sportsboat, Sorcerer, had done well in the earlier part of the week.

But having to take the final Saturday as his discard meant he had to count a fourth place.

The Sargeant family’s third place on the final Saturday secured them the class win in their consistently well-sailed Sonata.

The stronger F4 winds prevalent during the week suited Guy Hawkin’s Dufour 1800, in the Club Cruiser class.

It meant he could finish on the water ahead of most of the boats that had to give him time.

His two wins and two second places meant he finished comfortably ahead of the Sun 2000’s of Paul Su and Anthony Sinclair.