Sunshine and a brisk North Westerly wind greeted Netley SC's 2002 sponsored charity race on Saturday 12 October.

The windy conditions, mainly Force 5, deterred some competitors but those who did take to the water enjoyed a fine race.

Race Officer Giles Barkley laid a triangular course that brought the boats close to the clubhouse through the start gate and entertained the considerable number of spectators who included visitors from the Winged Fellowship's Waterside House in Netley Abbey.

Carl Gill and Gary Oliver in the Fireball made a good start aiming out to the tideway and established a lead at the first mark that was not seriously challenged for the rest of the race.

The battle for second place was a fierce duel between Ron Price's Buzz and Bob Thomas in the Osprey. While the beats went the Osprey's way the 18-knot winds gave an exciting surging lift for the asymmetric on the reaches that the Osprey could not match.

In the second lap Ron Price, finding the Buzz headed slightly, opted to tack inshore while Bob Thomas kept out in the fairway and took full advantage of the lee bowing afforded by the flooding tide.

The Osprey's superiority on the wind was convincingly demonstrated when it sailed through the Buzz's lee and Thomas then kept ahead to take second place at the line.

Although challenging downwind Price and crew Dorte Stollberg were unable to remain upright on the last surging run in the choppy conditions and it was then a battle of stamina to get the boat up and complete the last leg for a creditable third place.

Marion Moore of the Winged Fellowship Trust presented the prizes with Carl Gill and Gary Oliver the first winners of the Challenge Cup.

Medals were presented for second and third places and Marion also drew the winning tickets for the raffle with the first prize of a skippered day sail having been donated by Sunsail. Florian Guest House in Weymouth donated other prizes.

Sybil Robertson organised this inaugural race on behalf of Netley SC and, with her willing band of helpers and supporters, turned the day into an enjoyable sailing and social event which it is hoped will become a regular feature in the Netley and Southampton Water calendars.

It also raised some £300 for this worthwhile charity that provides holidays for disabled people and breaks for carers.