LAST Sunday saw intrepid members of Arden Sailing Club at Defford battling with the increased current of a river still swollen by recent rains.

The race was the last in the Pursuit Series, with Eric Ison making a near perfect start while both Jeremy Griffiths and Niall Campbell misjudged the current to miss their starts by a minute and 30 seconds respectively.

Ison then struggled to round the first mark. Having been passed by the entire fleet, he clawed his way back to fourth.

Jeremy Griffiths (Enter-prise) having started first on handicap managed to maintain extend then nearly lose his lead to Niall Campbell (Enterprise).

Keith Stevens (Comet) was third having drifted steadily along through out the race.

All potential competitors were relieved when Ralph Evans decided to abandon the second race, as the failing wind was insufficient for the dinghies to make headway against the current.

This week sees the start of the four-race November Handicap, a series that has in the past often provided the best racing of the season.