ARDEN Sailing Club (Def-ford) hosted The Association of Avon Sailing Clubs annual regatta last weekend.

There was a good turnout on Saturday - always the quieter of the two - on a day of shifting winds of variable strength and plenty of rain.

Host club entrants Erick Ison (Laser) and Niall Campbell (Enterprise) shared the honours with one win apiece as Chris Coates (Wyremill SC) chased them home.

The next day, the traditional racing day for most of the clubs, provided sunshine and plenty of wind, as well as a larger turnout.

Ison won the first race and was looking a strong contender for the overall win, having two firsts and a second with two more races to go.

However, in race two, with just yards to go and with an apparently unassailable lead fate took a hand as he capsized and took an unusually long time to get the boat upright.

This allowed Campbell and crew for the day Helen Williams to gain sufficient ground to beat him by just 40 seconds on handicap. John Street (Enterprise) of Wyre-mill sneaked into second place.

This meant Campbell had to beet Ison to clinch the trophy and he enjoyed the better start before Ison capsized twice in the freshening wind.

Results: 1 N Campbell; 2 E Ison; 3 C Coates; 4 J Street; 5 Jeremy Griffiths, Enterprise (Arden).

The veteran trophy went to Arden duo Alan Salerman and Ray Trace (Enterprise) who finished just one point clear of Wyremill's Tony Boyle (Supernova).

Club members face a busy period with the training course starting on Saturday for which there are still a few places available. Ring Ray on 01386 554109 or Alan on 0121 453 6611 for details.