The weather for this joint Topper / Mirror / Heron event was the same as for last year’s event at this club - warm and sunny. The winds were light and variable in direction, though mainly from the west.

The lake (Tarn) at Yeadon is approximately rectangular, with the far end, that near the airport runway, narrowing towards a point. Towards this end there is a small rocky island which can affect wind directions and speeds. The marks are set down the two sides of the rectangle but with one important one (9) set between the two nearest to the clubhouse and directly in front of the race hut. Club rules specify that one has to pass between the race hut and this mark on each lap.

Denis Beard knows the way around Yeadon Tarn and his skill and experience have resulted in him dominating this event in the past. From the outset it looked as this was to be another straightforward procession, with the other boats following him, but he lost his early lead to Philip Lund would then established what seemed to be a commanding lead. However, with greater all-round skill and success at the tricky points on the course, Denis regained the lead and moved well ahead. Then, apparently from nowhere, appeared the home club’s veteran sailor, Chris Dufton, sailing the ‘oldest boat in Yorkshire’, who just pipped Philip at the post.

In the second race Denis led the field, this time pursued by two other Yeadon sailors, Tim Gatti and Patrick Gaunt. Patrick managed to overtake Tim, and to the latter’s chagrin, who should turn up from the back of the fleet to snatch third place from him but (you’ve guessed it) Chris Dufton again!

With their wins in the first two races having already won them first place overall, Denis and Jo Beard swapped roles for the final race and proved to be slightly less well practiced in their new capacities. Tim Gatti had a brilliant start, but that Dufton chap again came through to take the lead and win the race. Whilst Tim shadowed Chris, Philip sneaked ahead and although he himself was then overtaken by Patrick it transpired that the latter had failed to pass on the correct side of the critical buoy 9 on one lap. Thus he had really completed once less lap than initially appeared to be the case and thus took sixth rather than second place in this race. More significantly this oversight by Patrick meant that Philip Lund rather than he finished in third place overall.

One of the young visiting Mirror sailors thanked all at Yeadon SC who had made this such an interesting and enjoyable day.