For three days, the graduate class held their national championships.

The conditions reduced the number who ventured out for the first race, and the second was postponed a day.

Three races were held on the Saturday, and the final two on Sunday, with rather less wind.

All were won by Steve Cockerill, crewed by his son Jack, who went home with seven silver cups.

Runners-up were David Ivins and Lesley Johnson; third and fourth were A Warren and L Dobson and the Hughes family. Fifth were Steven and Alex Jardine.

The Signet Class' first race in their championship saw Simon Mann and Stephen Whiteside win, with Mike Overs and Mark Cowling second and Pat Overs and Jonathan Leeding third. That was repeated in the series of five races.

When the family week races got under way, the wind was still fresh, but 15 boats started in the fast handicap, 22 in the slow handicap, and ten in the optimist fleet.

By the end of the week, more than 70 boats had raced.

The final races were over long courses for historic challenge cups re-assigned to family week for competition for seniors and juniors.

They were both won by RS500s – Graham and Mattie Ponsford taking the Brunt Trophy, Alex and Martin Orton the Barry Coomer Trophy.

Overall, in the fast handicap, Martin and Cindy Orton were first in their lark, Charles Porter second in his laser, David Ivins and Lesley Johnson third in their graduate and Jonathan and Kate Morley fourth in their RS400. Ben and Harriet Godwin won the class prize.

In the slow handicap, Alex Orton won in her topper, after tussles with Ian Payne and Meryl Deane in a feva, Abbie Page and Toby Hodge in toppers and Lydia and Camilla Mapstone in another feva.

Rosie Hickman won the optimist class from James and Rosie Farr and Thomas Booker.

Closer to the clubhouse, several beginners were handling toppers and optimists, and some very young sailors were learning the basics in their parents' Mirrors.

On shore, there was a variety of fun-packed events.

The week's success was down to the large number of volunteers under the leadership of Rear-Commodore Malcolm Pye.

FELPHAM

The Wednesday night Capstan Series continued with another tight race. Race officer Bob May set a rather long figure of eight course for the light southerly breeze.

Catherine Davies, in an RS 200, revelled in the difficult conditions.

They pulled away from the rest of the fleet to take a deserved win.

On handicap, Mark Phillips took second in his laser and Ross Fisher was third.

A strong south-westerly breeze caused problems for novice racers who took to the water. Those in Picos did better than the rest.

Luke Mapley and George Powell got round the course first. Mike Lowen followed them and Ryan Breach sailed well to come third.

The ongoing Founders series was sailed in difficult conditions.

A rough sea and increasing force five wind on an incoming tide meant only one race was held on a triangular course. Fisher (Blaze) got the best start.

Davies was helming one vago with Steve Pearce on board. In the other vago were Richard Bentley and Helena Kasprowicz.

By the end of the first beat, Peter Jones in a blaze led while Olly Ponsford was retiring.

The downwind legs were exciting but difficult to sail.

Large waves had boats sailing flat out but death rolls and nose dives were abundant. Jones held on for a win with Fisher second and Davies third.

LITTLEHAMPTON
The Zap Cats hold a national championship off Littlehampton on Saturday and Sunday (August 16 and 17).

Racing is from 10am to 4.30pm both days. The best vantage point is adjacent to Banjo Road.