TEAM GBR member Ed Wright of Bournemouth showed the way when Finn and Solo sailors at Christchurch Sailing Club competed against some of the country's best at the club's combined open meeting in the bay at the weekend.

The Finn helms, several of them new to the class in the past year, lined up alongside the likes of RYA elite sailor Wright and fellow full-time RYA squad helm Matt Howard.

Wright romped home to overall victory with four wins and a second under his belt, closely followed by Howard with two firsts and three seconds.

But the majority of the 14-strong Finn fleet was not far behind and in mid-fleet the competition was so close that helms were finishing only half-a-boat length or less apart.

And with Finn sailing in this country on a high at present, the eight competing Christchurch sailors did themselves proud and had their own "champion" in their oldest helm, Tony Lock.

Clinched

Lock, who returned to Finn sailing just two seasons ago after cutting his teeth in the class back in the 1950s, clinched second place in the last race, finished sixth overall and was top (grand master) veteran.

In the Solo contest, involving three races on Saturday, Christchurch grand master Jim Newman shone by taking third overall out of a 16-strong fleet.

Newman was only beaten by Steve Ede of Ardleigh, the Solo association's secretary, and Vanda Young of Littleton, both well seasoned travellers on the Open circuit.

In the first race, Christchurch helm Adrian Summers, last year's Open winner, chased Ede, Young and Phil Milane (South Cerney), to claim fourth place.

In the second and third races, it was Newman's turn to challenge Ede and Young, rounding the windward mark in second and losing little momentum to finish third.

Results, Finn: 1 Ed Wright (Bay of Colwyn SC) 2 Matt Howard (RYA) 3 Andrew Mills (Queen Mary SC).

Solos: 1 Steve Ede (Ardleigh), 2 Vanda Young (Littleton), 3 Jim Newman (Christchurch).