Pickford picks up win after leaders thrown off course (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Pickford picks up win after leaders thrown off course

THE Evesham Club enjoyed some exciting action last weekend, with invisible slabs of wind blasting up over the weir to go charging down the river intent on upsetting everything in its path.

It was a case of holding on tight and trying to keep your feet dry, which only a few managed.

The first race - one of the Commodore Series - saw a massed start downstream with the main tactic of avoiding people rather than jockeying for position to steal a march.

It was Paul and Ann Baylis who were best prepared and shot away into the lead with white water streaming from the bow of their Enterprise.

Simon and Adam Styles, John Pickford and the Merlin Rocket of Rob Berger headed the rest of the pursuing fleet that was soon charging along.

The former pair capsized in a flurry of spray, Berger almost sank after a splendid fight, there were boats in the bank and upside down but it was the Baylis's who sailed serenely on with only Pickford in contention.

A cruel twist of fate decided the matter with Paul and Ann sitting well out, the wind slam-med round leaving them scrabbling to keep the boat upright.

Pickford, however, on a different tack, swept through to claim a hard-fought win with the Baylis's graciously accepting second.

The second race was really the main event where there is always a lot of interest, as it was the final round of the Novice Series and the more experienced sailors have to sit it out.

Although conditions hadn't abated and the course was the same there were no dissenting voices and the start was an extremely keen affair.

Jeremy Higson was soon roaring down the course and appeared to have a comfortable lead but, going in too fast at the top buoy, he was over and Adam Styles took the lead.

Higson righted his boat and the race was now really on. Conditions between the two leaders were forgotten and they were both very close to the edge on several occasions.

With the lead changing continuously it was Higson, only by the thickness of a coat of paint, who prevailed over Styles after a splendid day's sport.