AFTER two weeks when strong winds kept them off the water, The Royal Windermere Yacht Club’s Class 17 Foot fleet were back in near perfect conditions this weekend.

'Falcon 11, ’ helmed by Tony Rothwell, pulled away from the fleet in the first Saturday race but made a course error on the downwind leg allowing ‘Chameleon’ (Nigel Tullett’) to take the lead with ‘Pilgrim’ (David Milburn) and ‘Fathom’ (Graham Murray) chasing hard.

‘Chameleon’ edged the win with 'Fathom' edging out ‘Pilgrim’ in a photo finish.

Saturday's classic fleet race also saw close racing and great competition as ‘Atholl’ (Nick Aubrey) took first place followed by ‘Snark 11’ (Les Gorton) with ‘Whisper’ (Gay Crossley) third.

The second 17 Foot race saw a battle for tactical advantage in the fickle breeze and with one lap completed the breeze dropped away making conditions very difficult.

‘Chameleon’ and ‘Fathom’ eventually pulled away from the pack who were struggling to complete the course with virtually no wind at all.

‘Fathom’ eventually edged it from ‘Chameleon’ with ‘Whisper’ again a creditable third.

Bank Holiday Monday’s racing was equally exciting as they competed for the Susan Crossley Trophy and Tarakee Cup.

‘Falcon 11’ (Tony Rothwell) managed once again to pull away from the fleet on the start line but as the fleet reached the top ‘Chameleon’ edged ahead followed by ‘Atholl’ (Nick Aubrey), ‘Pilgrim’ (David Milburn) and ‘Falcon 11’.

The three fought a close battle on the downwind leg but ‘Chameleon’ managed to hold off the competition to take first place with ‘Falcon II’ second and ‘Pilgrim’ third.

Amongst the classic fleet within the race, ‘Atholl’ came first, ‘Whisper’ second and ‘Waterwitch’ third.