Last updated 16:38, Thursday, 28 August 2008

Kielder Water Sailing Club's Little America's Cup gives the opportunity for sailors to compete equally against each other, whatever their age or level of sailing experience.

Two dozen competitors are divided into groups of six,, and every person in each group sails a very short triangular course against every other person in their group.

The group winners then sail against each other, to give an overall winner.

Everyone sails the club's Toppers which, although mainly sailed by juniors, provide a sufficient challenge for adults as well, especially when the wind has got up to a Force 7!

The strong wind on Bank Holiday Monday meant that only eight intrepid people took to the water: Roger Edwardson, Graham Thumwood, Peter Hawkin, Judy Scullion, Steve Gibbon, Phil Tebbs and juniors Liam Cunningham and Robbie Edwardson.

Winner was Roger Edwardson, with Phil Tebbs (who is relatively new to sailing) putting in an excellent performance to come a very close second.

Roger Somerville as race officer, assisted by Jay Burleigh, ensured that the right people raced each other in the right order.

Patrol team Ravi Cabral and Geoff Brown rescued the capsized before they blew away, and Alison Symons, Jo Collins and Julie Gibbon kept everyone well-fed ashore.

Pictured in action is Lowgate resident Peter Hawkin.