Niall Pearcey won his first One Day event on Sunday, narrowly edging out Gary Ungless to win Ely Sailing Club s Easter Egg Trophy. Eight helms began the first race, in a light south-westerly breeze, at Roswell Waters. John Cant thought he had taken line h

Niall Pearcey won his first One Day event on Sunday, narrowly edging out Gary Ungless to win Ely Sailing Club's Easter Egg Trophy.

Eight helms began the first race, in a light south-westerly breeze, at Roswell Waters. John Cant thought he had taken line honours in his Laser Radial, but on corrected time he was beaten into second place by one second by Ungless in his Solo. Daniel Cowin and Helen Osman, in their National Twelve, worked their way through the fleet to second over the line but lost out to Niall Pearcey in another Solo helm.

After lunch the fleet increased to 12 and Pearcey took an early lead, which he retained to the finish. Cowin again lost his second place on corrected time to Ungless.

Even though Cowin took line honours in the third race he finished fifth on corrected time. Pearcey took his second first place with Ungless second and Hugh and Robbie Marshall third, in their Enterprise.

It was hoped that the final race would decide the winner as helms counted their best three results. This time Cowin and Osman were far enough ahead of the fleet to retain their line honours, just 27 seconds ahead of Ungless in second place, while Pearcey finished third.

Pearcey and Ungless finished the contest level-pegging with five points. But, by virtue of more first places, two and one third to Ungless's one first and two seconds, Pearcey took the cup.

Commodore Alan White presented Easter Eggs to the first three winners and consolation prizes to the three juniors competing, namely John Cant, Mark Loach and Martin Mills.

n Winner Niall Pearcey, centre, with runner-up Gary Ungless to his left and third-placed Helen Osman and Daniel Cowin. Photos: SUPPLIED