EASTER heralded the start of the racing season at Clacton Sailing Club.

The newly-opened beaches at Holland Haven provided a perfect playground for a good turn-out of dinghies and catamarans.

The first of the Easter Bunny races was held in light force one to two easterly winds in beautiful blue skies.

The catamarans led from the start, with Stellios Tabis teaming up with cadet commodore James Stacey for the first race in their powerful Nacra 20.

They led the field around the long course.

A fleet of Dart 18s chased the big catamaran, with Pete Boxer and Eilish Dempsey closely followed by Matt Burrel, making his single-handed return to racing at the club after a four-year lay-off.

Daniel Brezinski had teamed up with Sam Ranson and they, like husband-and-wife team Martin and Debbie Chivers, also sailed new Dart 18s.

Tacking duals developed from the start as they made their way upwind, with everyone staying inshore, close to the protection of the new rock groynes.

Light winds and a flooding tide caused more than one impact with the seaward buoy, with the re-rounding manoeuvre costing lost places in the tight fleet.

Open handicap racing meant dinghies could compete against the catamarans and it was the Lasers that dominated when the final results were calculated. New members John Summerfield and Mark Venables had battled it out during a close tactical race, tacking into an incoming tide.

At the end of the first lap, Venables had a clear two-minute lead over Summerfield, who impressively pulled back on the next lap to win the race overall.

Summerfield was a close second.

The second race was held on Bank Holiday Monday and attracted another good turnout of eager racers.

Two more Lasers joined the fleet, with cadets James Foxon and James Rolfe keeping up well with Summerfield and Venables.

This was despite Foxon having to take a penalty turn after crossing the start-line early.

The northerly winds increased towards the end of the race to a brisk force four, much to the liking of the fast catamarans.

James Parsons, sailing with his son, Eddie, particularly delighted in the conditions, romping around the three-lap course in their powerful Hurricane and over-taking Stelios and James Stacey, in the Nacra.

Matt Burrel teamed up with young Jack and formed another family team on their Dart 18.

They did well to finish mid-fleet against the heavier crews.

Larry Foxon and Mike Rolfe sailed their Dart 16 well to come in as second catamarans on handicap and also revelled in the fresh winds.

When the results were calculated it was another one-two for Summerfield and Venables, sailing their Lasers.

Summerfield took his second chocolate bunny of the weekend at the prize-giving.

Racing was postponed at the club last year while the beaches were improved but will continue from now on with a full calendar of Sunday events.