Hastings and Bexhill sailors make most of conditions for thrilling racing

Many of the Laser sailors chose full rigs to capitalise on the light westerly winds that were blowing at the start of the morning.

However, the better decision was made by those opting for the smaller Radial rig as winds increased significantly during the racing, reaching force four from the south west by the third and final race, and with sea state to match.

The first race went to Said Toubi in a Laser with a full sail but by the second race it was the Radial rigged Lasers that were managing the conditions better.

Line honours went to Maurice and Janey Nash in the Dart 16 but when handicaps were applied, it was Philip Blurton and Morgan Jeffries in a Tasar who were first and Steve Clark in a Laser Radial second.

By the third race the wind was really up.

Line honours again went to the Dart 16 but with handicaps applied, Steve Clark in a Laser Radial won, ahead of the Tasar in second.

With a one race discard allowed, Clark and the Tasar each had three points from a second and a first.

In accordance with the racing rules, victory goes to the boat with the best position in the last race.

This meant the overall winner of the competition was Steve Clark in a Laser Radial and Blurton and Morgan in the Tasar were second.

Third place went to Melanie Clark in a Laser, who had done extremely well to keep going throughout the changing conditions in a full Laser rig.

For those sailors who had stayed the course of all three races, the competition had tested their abilities across a range of conditions.