Flag Officers Cup

Perfect weather greeted the fleet for the first race with strong sunshine and a brisk breeze.

In these conditions, Hastings (Solo) and Andy and Charlotte Prior (National 12) were able to pull away from the fleet and establish an early lead.

The two were largely unchallenged, but Prior was unable to pull out enough of a lead to beat Hastings' lower handicap.

Robin Wilson (Europe) and Neal Tack (Solo) also ran well, picking up third and fourth.

The wind peaked during the second race, and the strong gusts made for tricky sailing.

It was Hastings and Prior again who gained an early lead, chased by Wilson and Tack.

Hastings maintained the lead until the finish line, but Andy and Charlotte Prior were beaten to second by Wilson's lower handicap.

Tack sailed well to take fourth, while a costly capsize left Chris Prior (Laser) only able to finish fifth.

At the start of the final race, Hastings needed a top three finish to take the cup, while Wilson and the Prior family fought it out for second place.

In shifting conditions, all competitors sailed a close race right to the end.

Hastings again pulled out a good lead, but this time Chris Prior was able to stay afloat long enough to make the most of his faster boat.

Chris eventually made it past Hastings, but was unable to pull out enough of a gap, and so had to be content with second.

This was only by a mere 14 seconds ahead of Wilson in third, himself only 13 seconds ahead of the Priors in fourth.

With those results, Hastings claimed a comprehensive victory, with Wilson taking second place overall, and Andy and Charlotte Prior in third.

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