SAILING Saltford sailor Jeremy Fisher enjoyed a double success on home waters when Bristol Avon Sailing Club hosted its annual two-day racing regatta.

Freshening winds from the South West, which gained in strength on Sunday, provided both members and visiting helms with sometimes testing but enjoyable racing and cruising conditions.

The regatta is the club's premier open event of the year and more than 30 boats signed on to race over the weekend, with many more out cruising.

First place in the three-race series went to Fisher (Lightning dinghy) ahead of second placed Colin Carle (Lightning) of Midsomer Norton.

In third place was Bob Corfield (Mercury) of Longwell Green, crewed by Caroline Howard of Saltford.

The pursuit race was hard fought with Fisher again taking top honours, followed by his sister Louise Olejnik (Topper) and Colin Carle.

The novice race on Saturday was well won by Sebastian Howard (Graduate) and the Sunday race by Caroline Howard (Topper).

The battle in these races between the Howard mum and offspring – both graduates of the club's annual RYA sail training course – was one of the highlights of the weekend.

BASC Commodore Simon Woollen said: "The racing was quite hard at times, but thoroughly enjoyable for all concerned. A great time was had by all."

The club also welcomed a fleet of eight helms and their British Moth dinghies from Frampton on Severn SC, the first time the Moth fleet had dropped in for some time.

The Moths were given a separate start from the home sailors and they fought hard amongst themselves for the Padfield Trophy – a silver trophy donated by farmer Graham Padfield of Kelston in the 1950s.

His family supported the event and added a selection of the family's famous cheeses to the trophy, which was won by Roger Witts in British Moth 871.

The event was superbly served by the galley team of Gina Shepperd, Sharon Hooper and many others who kept the sailors and social visitors well supplied with refreshments.