SUTTON Bingham Reservoir hosted found five of the Sailing Southwest Winter Series at the end of last month, writes Chris Jones.

The Sutton Bingham Icicle Open Pursuit Race featured 26 boats, representing 11 different clubs.

The event was a three-hour pursuit race in which the slower boats start first, followed at intervals by progressively faster boats, according to their handicap rating.

With gusts of 15+ knots, it was going to be lively, with young Sutton Bingham Sailing Club member Archie Coates leading the way in his Laser 4.7.

As the race progressed into the last 60 minutes, Graham Cook had established a lead, but Andrew Frost was closing in.

It came down to the last few metres, and suddenly Nemo and Simon Hawkes shot past Cook and Frost to claim a dramatic victory.

Result
1. Ben (Nemo) & Simon Hawkes, Osprey (Castle Cove YC)
2. Graham Cook, Laser Radial (Lyme Regis SC)
3. Andrew Frost, RS Aero 5 (Sutton Bingham SC)
Youth winner - Archie Coates, Laser 4.7 (Sutton Bingham SC)

At the prizegiving, winner Simon Hawkes reminisced over Sutton Bingham being where he had had first sailed with his son Ben (Nemo), before thanking the race management, Sailing South West, and sponsors Allen, GJW Direct Insurance and Admiral Trailers.

For more information about Sutton Bingham SC, you can visit the club Facebook page.