Spring sunshine and a lively southerly breeze greeted over 70 punt club members for the first Sunday racing of the 2016 season. There were a number of new boats to welcome for their first racing particularly in the White boat fleet and Bart Sawyer’s racing warm up session was much appreciated by those who needed to get reacquainted with boat handling and practising their starting technique. 
The first series saw some close racing with Kath and Ian Mason in their white boat Cupido taking overall honours in the Allcomers  just a few seconds ahead of Paul Wilcox in his laser.,Conditions got slightly more challenging after lunch with some stronger and more shifty wind conditions for the 10 starters in the Allcomers A. Staying just behind Punt 37 Gamecock over the water Liz Chettleburgh in Zephyrus  established a commanding lead over the following fleet with Simon Daniels and Peter Robbins in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. James Mason won the Allcomers B and promptly celebrated by capsizing after crossing the finishing line. James claimed the water wasn’t cold and everyone seemed quite happy to take his word for it. 
Series 3 saw Ruth and James  win the Allcomers A in Gamecock but it was the White boat fleet with 10 starters that saw the most interesting race. Heading up the first beat to Neatishead, Phil Roberts in Herald Moth found himself well to leeward and heading for the east gap. After consulting with tactician Nick Dixey they took the chance and continued through the east gap while the rest of the fleet tacked up through the west gap. The clear air paid off handsomely and Phil established a large lead which he managed to hold onto throughout. 
After a well earned tea break enjoyed by all, the last Allcomers race saw 8 starters with Liz Chettleburgh in continued good form winning by a large margin.
With such good conditions and an excellent turnout with some close racing, it was a great start to the season.

Series 1:

Allcomers (6) 1 Cupido (K Mason), 2 Piiig (P Wilcox), 3 Silver Blue ( S Daniels)

Series 2 :

Allcomers B (2) 1 Naughty but nice ( J Mason)

Allcomers A (10) 1 Zephyrus ( L Chettleburgh), 2 Silver Blue ( S Daniels), 3 Small White ( P Robbins)

Series 3:

Yare and Bure OD (10) 1 Herald Moth ( Phil Roberts), 2 Zephyrus ( L Chettleburgh), 3 Small White ( P Robbins)

Allcomers (5) 1 Gamecock (R Owen), 2 Ali Baba ( B Sawyer), Piiig ( P Wilcox)

Allcomers (8) 1 Zephyrus ( L Chettleburgh), 2 Small White ( P Robbins), 3 Silver Blue ( S Daniels)