Darke hangs on to secure spring series win

THE culmination of the spring series at Goring Thames Sailing Club took place last Sunday in the best sailing conditions so far this season.

A brisk and steady south-westerly wind propelled a seven-strong fleet in exciting and competitive racing in which positions changed many times.

Capsize was definitely possible in the 20-knot gusts but no one needed the efforts of the safety boat with all sailors managing to balance their boats.

Mark Hayzelden won both Sunday’s races in his full rig Laser, but Andrew Darke hung on to the series lead he established early on to take the silverware.

The final result of the series was as follows: 1 Andrew Darke, Comet; 2 Peter Hunter, Comet; 3 Neil Grant, Laser; 4 Rob Jones, Laser; 5 Deirdre Smith, Laser; 6 Mark Foster, Laser; 7 Mark Hayzelden, Laser.