THERE was thick fog and a very light breeze for the second race in Walton and Frinton Yacht Club's Spring Series.

Race officer Alec Moss made the decision to set a course within the rivers and seven boats launched for a start that was delayed by half an hour.

With a tricky down-tide start, the fleet struggled to keep the right side of the line.

Martin Jenkins, in his Phantom, failed miserably and had to re-round the committee boat before setting off in pursuit of early leaders James Oxley, in his Phantom, and John Sewell, making a welcome return in his Solo.

With a beat to the corner of the Twizzle, the fleet spread out before heading off down to Twizzle buoy.

Jenkins had recovered from his poor start and was close behind Oxley, as they rounded the buoy. However, as Jenkins rounded the mark, his tiller extension broke away from the tiller and he was left trying to helm from the back of the boat.

In an attempt to avoid retiring and finishing the race, Jenkins tied a bit of string around his tiller and was able to steer the boat reasonably successfully to complete the course.

Oxley has been enjoying his recently-acquired Phantom and he was making no mistakes in keeping ahead of the fleet.

The testing conditions led to Dom Jacobs, in his Laser, and Paul and Jemima, in their Wayfarer, heading back to the welcoming clubhouse early.

Oxley kept his lead and crossed the finishing line a minute ahead of Jenkins.

Geoff Parker, in his Hadron, narrowly beat Chris Nelson, in his Phantom, over the line and a Sewell finished some nine minutes behind the leaders.

After handicaps has been applied, Oxley was able to record his first win in his new boat.

Sewell was second in his Solo, just ahead of Jenkins, who was pleased to record a third after suffering gear failure.

The next race is on Sunday.

Results: 1st James Oxley, Phantom; 2nd John Sewell, Solo; 3rd Martin Jenkins, Phantom; 4th Geoff Parker, Hadron; 5th Chris Nelson, Phantom.