WEYMOUTH Sailing Club hosted the IRC Spinlock South Coast Championships, with Whitby squad Antix the winning team.

J’Ouvert finished second ahead of Royal Dart outfit Bandit.

IRC is the internationally recognised handicap rating system that allows fair racing between yachts of different size and design.

Boats from as far afield as Whitby competed in Weymouth’s Olympic waters for a trophy and £250 voucher for Spinlock products.

Racing over two days of the bank holiday weekend, three races a day were set by club vice-commodore Iain Jones.

Saturday’s conditions provided champagne sailing with a 12-knot south-westerly breeze and blue skies, whilst Sunday was more dark and stormy with grey skies and 20-knot winds.

Crews enjoyed a welcome barbecue on Friday, whilst for the dinner on Saturday they were joined by Emsworth Sailing Club who had organised a rally to Weymouth and used WSC as its watering hole.

The prize giving on the Sunday witnessed tired but happy competitors tucking into bangers and mash and cold beers.

Meanwhile, the new mayor of Weymouth town council Graham Winter attended the official opening of the club’s new pontoons in the Cove area of the harbour.

Club boats were suitably dressed with bunting, whilst flags decorated the quayside.

After an introductory speech from commodore Steve Dadd, long-term resident June Chorely did the honours, cutting the ribbon.

Also attending alongside the Mayor and his wife were Councillor Luke Wakeling, representatives from the RNLI, MCA and harbour office. Club members, friends, neighbours and well-wishers lined the harbourside and toasted the future success of the club and three hearty cheers were called.

After the ceremony, there was tea and homemade cakes back at the clubhouse on Nothe Parade.

Race officer, Iain Jones, said: “All the visiting crews were very complimentary about the sailing in the bay and the harbour and its friendly staff. They all said they would spread the word at their home clubs and were looking forward to visiting Weymouth soon.”