There was more than one contest going on at Southwick last Sunday when Sussex Yacht Club held the latest round in their Winter Cooler Series.

There was a definite edge to the racing this week in the absence of the holders, Enterprise duo of Ian O'Dell and Tim Richardson. It left Mike Dunbavin, a club newcomer and winner of the last race, battling it out in his Solo with Laser sailor Graham Smallridge for the lead.

The other contest, and definitely not predictable, was that between the light north-easterly wind and a sea breeze drawn in by warm sunshine. It brought shifty wind conditions into Shoreham Harbour at the Southwick end.

Race one ended with Graham Smallridge a comfortable winner over Mike Dunbavin despite a capsize when Graham was caught unbalanced by an unexpected wind change. Mike Hardiman, sailing another Solo dinghy, was third.

The breeze was definitely lighter for race two and this favoured the Solos. Although first to finish, Smallridge was never able to get away from the pursuing fleet. Dunbavin and Hardiman were first and second respectively on handicap corrected time and Graham had to be content with the third place spot.

Dunbavin repeated his performance on his club debut to take the honours for the day with three points to Smallridge's four, but overall Graham still leads the event. There are still three rounds to complete and on current form the outcome is difficult to predict.

Lancing's Ollie Page had another frustrating day of inactivity last Sunday. A fortnight ago he travelled to Rutland Water only to encounter a force four to five wind gusting six to seven which meant he got in just one race.

At their inland lake at Piddinghoe, Newhaven and Seaford held race six in their winter Numbum Series. The inland location provided good conditions for sailing with an acceptable breeze and nice sunshine.

With the series drawing to a close there was some very keen racing by the 11 strong fleet.

The competition was particularly good between the Lasers and home club member Will Skinner, racing for the first time in this series, took the lead from the start. But at the last bouy on the first lap Paul Ryan, also sailing a Laser, overtook him. Paul began to pull away only for Will to catch him on laps six and eight.

Bill Giles, in another Laser, crept up and almost sneaked over first, but the ever-alert Will just made it in first place.

RESULTS 1. Will Skinner Laser. 2. Bill Giles Laser. 3. Paul Ryan Laser. 4. Nick Muggridge Topper. 6. Preston Taylor Topper.

OVERALL POSITIONS - 1. Paul Ryan (Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club) Laser. 2. Nick Muggridge (Lancing Sailing Club) Topper. 3. Jerry & Henry Dean (Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club) Laser. 4. Preston Taylor (Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club) Topper.

With Ryan in Florida for the next two weeks and just one race to be completed, the competition could not really be closer and all contenders for the trophy cannot afford any mistakes in next week's final race of the series.