With some of Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club's regulars missing in action, it allowed others to grasp the mantle of winners - something club commodore Charles Adams did with both hands.
He took advantage by winning both of the slow fleet races and the overall crown.
Sheila Stowe looked to be on for the win in race number one but had to pull out before the finish as the gusts increased and increased.
Mike Caddy kept the commodore honest by pushing him hard, settling for second each time.
In the family race, father and son battled it out in their Comets with Mike Dilks coming out in front of son Matthew.
Tony Hale was another who handled himself well in the stiff breeze.
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