Sailing Ted Pepper emerged victorious from a closely contested open meeting for topper sailors at the weekend.

A fleet of six competitors lined up for the start of the event, held at Ely Sailing Club, on Saturday.

Rhys Williams, 11, made a remarkable start to his open meeting career by winning the first race, but he was closely pursued by 12-year-old Pepper.

Rhys Williams then had the misfortune of an unknotted main sheet in the second race, which he could have easily won if he had not taken so long to repair his sheeting, and he finished fifth. His father, Mike Williams, won the race, with Ted again coming second.

After lunch the final race was held, but the rain made racing unpleasant and it was the closest of finishes with the first two boats finishing within inches of each other. Izzie Duckworth, 12, lead for most of the race but was piped on the line by Pepper and Rhys Williams respectively.

This meant Rhys Williams and Pepper both had a first and second places to count but, by taking discards into account, Pepper won the meeting.

Race officer Jack Knight presented the prizes.