INTENSE competition and a record number of entries ensured the Royal Windermere Yacht Club’s Spring Race Week was a great success.

The first of many Windermere Class ‘17 Foot’ races took place prior to the main event, with the yachts faced challenging breezes when competing for the Rear Commodore’s prize.

Competition was close throughout with Chameleon, helmed by Nigel Tullett, beating the fleet home, closely followed by Atholl, helmed by Nick Aubrey, in second place and Liberty, helmed by Colin Bentley, in third place.

The first of the season’s Race Weeks then followed with the fleet competing in the second series of the Burchardt Cup.

Fourteen Windermere Class 17 footers competed in the first race which took place in the north lake in equally challenging conditions, with Chameleon again pipping Atholl while in third place came Falcon II helmed by Tony Rothwell.

On the second day, two 17 Foot class races were held, Chameleon again winning with Whisper helmed by the legendary Gay Crossley second, Waterwitch, helmed by Richard Broughton, third and Phantom helmed by Keith Barrow fourth.

In blustery conditions, Race Officer John Pollard set the fleet off on the second of the day’s races and winning yacht was Pilgrim’ helmed by Dave Milburn.

Day three saw breezes of 25 knots and driving rain and Pilgrim again triumphant followed by Chameleon with Phantom third.

Overall winner at the end of the week was was Chameleon, followed by Whisper, with Falcon II third.

The first of the Windermere 17 Foot competitions after Race Week saw light rain and cloud and Fathom, helmed by Graham Murray, maintained an early lead to come home first with Whisper taking second place and Liberty third.

The Flying Fifteens had equally intense competition, starting with the Crossley Cup in the north lake.

The winner was No Illusions, helmed by John Walter, followed by Felix Felicis, helmed by Julian Newman and in third place Funny Enuff helmed by John Atkinson).

The following day, the Flying Fifteens competed in the Hot Chestnut Trophy also in the north lake.

In such changeable conditions, the Flying Fifteens competed valiantly on the triangle-sausage course set by Race Officer John Pollard.

An exciting incident packed race was eventually won by Flying Ferret, helmed by Commodore Clare Houlihan with husband Tony as crew, followed by Firebolt, helmed by Paul Langley with Fiscal Folly, helmed by Anne Bishop, in third.