FIFTEEN dinghies took to the water for some Easter racing at Walton and Frinton Yacht Club.

The fleet was split into two classes - the faster boats in class one and the rest in class two.

Both fleets started together and the conditions throughout the weekend were good, with sunshine and winds ranging from eight to 22 knots.

In class one, it was good to see John Tappenden launching his new Vortex dinghy.

Along with the Brooke's RS400, this is one of the fastest boats currently racing and he was keen to show the fleet the way round.

There were two races to count for the Easter Series on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Sunday's race also counted as the third race in the Spring Series.

In race one, John Sewell, in his Solo, got the perfect start and continued to sail excellently throughout the weekend to win all three races over the weekend.

Martin Jenkins (Phantom) had problems getting his boat going in the conditions and had a disappointing series, managing only to finish runner-up in class one and also trailing the excellently-sailed Laser of James Oxley in Sunday's race.

In class two, it was great to see the three Newland girls out in their Laser 4.7s.

They took the first three places in each race, beating the 4.7 of Sue Wood, the Brooke's Jewel and the Picos.

Sewell took the Easter Egg Trophy for the faster boats and Eleanor Newland for the slower boats.

Sewell also moved into a strong position in the Spring Series overall, adding a first place to his second and third from the first two races.

Jenkins is going to have to win the last two races in that series to hang on to the title.

The next Spring Series race is on Sunday, April 30.

Results: Easter Series: Class one: 1st John Sewell, Solo; 2nd Martin Jenkins, Phantom; 3rd John Tappenden, Vortex.

Class two: 1st Eleanor Newland, Laser 4.7; 2nd Beth Newland, Laser 4.7; 3rd Sophie Newland, Laser 4.7.

Spring Series - race three: 1st John Sewell, Solo; 2nd James Oxley, Laser; 3rd Martin Jenkins, Phantom.