THE start of spring means a new season at Helensburgh Sailing Club – but not before the handing out of prizes to those who competed in the club’s winter dinghy racing series.

Blustery but sunny weather graced the final two races on Sunday – the end of a 17-race campaign, sponsored by Marine 13, which began way back at the beginning of February.

Alan Jeffrey on board Growler topped the standings after chalking up a series of podium finishes, including three first places and, on the series’ final day, a brace of strong second place finishes, with Mark Homer second on board Back In Black and Alistair Gray third, with Mark and Alistair winning the first and second races on the final day of competition.

The club is hosting a spring work party this Sunday, April 7, between 10am and 1.30pm and all volunteers are welcome to join in.

Next week HSC is playing host to the IOCA Optimist Easter training camp, with up to 30 sailors set to take part in a series of sessions from April 11-14.

And a new year of East Patch Racing, the name for the combined yacht racing activities of HSC and the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club, begins on Wednesday, April 17, with weekly races held each Wednesday – weather permitting – until the end of August.

For more information on what's happening at HSC, see helensburghsailingclub.co.uk or the 'Helensburgh Sailing Club' page on Facebook.