STEVE Waite’s dominant display in the opener secured Highcliffe Sailing Club’s Championship Trophy after a tale of two races last Sunday.

In warm conditions with a light breeze of just eight knots, the race office was keen to push the pack as the mixed fleet of 13 boats sailed towards Mudeford Spit on the upwind leg.

Waite (Solo) made light work of the field and completed six laps within 37 minutes with Ian Pike (Phantom) and Simon Mussel (Contender) making up the top three on corrected times.

But shortly after the start of the second race, the field endured a sharp shift in conditions as the wind went from westerly to south-westerly and the gusts picked up to some 15 knots.

Many were taken by surprise and by the end of the first lap, the wind had increased to 20 knots which resulted in several capsizes at the downwind mark.

Gary Langdown (Contender) held his nerve and was the only participant to complete the allotted six laps to secure first place, with Pike second and Waite third across the line having gone round four times.

Corrected results saw Waite promoted to second which ensured a four-point victory at the overall summit ahead of Pete Bell (Europe), with Pike in third.