It may be April but there was hardly a breath of wind to greet the start of the season.

At Chichester Yacht Club, race officer Gordon Barclay managed to find just a breath of air in a very localised patch in the middle of the lake. In order to get race one of the First Breath Tankard completed he took out the motor boat and laid an unusual course in the middle of the patch.

Thirteen went afloat for this first race which was in marked contrast to the very popular Snowflake Series that attracted some 150 plus boats in three divisions from a wide area.

Barclay's start line was in the middle, with six marks located on the circum-ference of a small circle and the course consisted in sailing out from the middle to each of these in turn, back to the middle and out to the next and so on.

This was a good test of memory and concentration as well as boat handling skills. Some lapses were noticed during the three quarters of an hour that it took the leaders, Colin Smith and his young son Aaron in their RS400, to complete the course after one or two unwindings.

They retained their lead on handicap corrected time with John and Pauline Cox second in another RS400. Derek Jackman was third in his Solo. The six Lasers did not shine in the light airs, class leader Ryan Buchanan managing only fifth place, eight minutes behind the Smiths and beaten on handicap by Steve Kerr in another Solo.

Tomorrow the Chichester Club are playing host to the Southern Area Championships for the GP Fourteen Class.

Sussex Yacht Club racing cruisers were out at sea for the second race in their Meadows Mug Handicap series last Sunday but only just. Conditions were poor for this size of boat, so much so many did not bother to venture out in the light airs and fog.

Second on the water but first on handicap was Lawrence Woodham's Curved followed by first on the water Juvenile Delinquent and David Neate.

Conditions were no better at Hastings and St Leonards. The committee had to abandon the race after an hour of sailing with only one boat, the Shearwater Cat of Neil Strys and Charlotte Duck, completing the first lap.

The remainder were still crawling along and only just in sight of the lap marker.

Pete Matthews and Gavin Hardman in the Laser 4000 took the morning race as Lancing started their Easter Series in a close finish with Alex Koukourakis in his RS600. Another Laser 4000 was third sailed by Craig Palmer and Carole Whitcher. All 11 finished without mishap.

There were 11 starters for the morning Slow Fleet which was won by Mike Croker in a Laser Radial. Second was Alan Simmons sailing his Streaker.

He just managed to stop Mike's wife Diana making it a Croker 1-2 by separating them at the finish. Two retired in this fleet.

There was just enough wind at Southwick for Sussex Yacht Club's dinghy section to complete their Winter Cooler Series. Graham Smallridge took the series with another victory.

The laser helm showed he was equally at home in light shifty airs as in strong gusty winds. He did not have it all his own way.

Cadet Luke Patching, returning after a three month absence recovering from a back injury, sailed his Topper into first place in race one on handicap adjusted time and was second in race two.

Second place overall went to club dinghy captain, Mike Hardiman, sailing a Solo.

The racing members return now to their Shoreham base for events on alternate Sundays on the river Adur and at sea.

Families and cadets are invited to join in social sailing at Southwick on Tuesday evenings at 6pm throughout the summer, starting on May 8. Enquiries to the club on 01273 464868, Janie Smallridge on 01903 879476 or e-mail: janie@smallridges.freeserve.co.uk.