DESPITE there being no wind on Sunday morning, 23 dinghies assembled at Dittisham Sailing Club on a beautiful sunny day, hoping for at least a little breeze to fill in.

They were not disappointed, for half-an-hour before the start a southerly wind filled in enabling race officer Paul Mogridge and his team to set a compact course with a beat into the strong tide.

Although the start line had been moved back, it was difficult to start on the favoured starboard tack without being swept back by the tide. Those that started on port risked being forced to give way, but a few skilfully succeeded including Finn sailor Neil Drew, who showed his race experience and was soon out in front.

Paul Honey in his Laser was in the leading pack but once the boats were on the run they bunched up with Bob Thomas, in his new Solo, having a battle with Mike Bennett in his Devon Yawl, crewed by Brian Perks.

There was excitement at the Owers turning mark, which Bones's RS 200 nudged in the foul tide and had to do a penalty, while Patrick Bromley was unlucky to capsize his Laser but recovered.

After a race of almost an hour, it was Thomas who won by the narrowest of margins from Bennett, five seconds behind. Honey was third with Drew a creditable fourth, considering the wind conditions did not particularly suit his Finn. The course remained the same for the second race and, once again, there was a beat into the strong tide to a mark which had been moved further away close to the pier.

This time it was Pete Jocelyn, in his Laser, who was out in front battling with RS 200 sailor Bones, crewed by Suzanne Huddart, who had started well on port and used their spinnaker to good effect to chase Jocelyn to the finish.

Mike Bennett had his own duel with Solo sailor Nick Morton and in the end was second with Morton fourth.

Results - Winter Points 4: 1 Bob Thomas, Solo; 2 Mike Bennett, Devon Yawl; 3 Paul Honey, Laser; 4 Neil Drew, Finn.

Winter Points 5: 1 Pete Jocelyn, Laser; 2 Mike Bennett, Devon Yawl; 3 Bones, RS200; 4 Nick Morton, Solo.

The next racing at Dittisham will be on Sunday, December 4 for the sixth and seventh Winter Points starting at 11am.