WHAT does Santa do after Christmas? Goes sailing of course!

Bob 'Santa' Sampson was at the helm of one of the three Lasers, two Bosuns, two Toppers and Robin Spiller in Linda's Comet who just squeezed in a Boxing Day race before the gale began to howl.

Steve Axford got away first, with Simon Veal's Bosun, Nicola Clay crewing, close behind.

There followed a race long ding dong between the three full rig Lasers, with Bob overtaking James Pollard in the last minute to take second, and Steve winning both on the water and on handicap.

Adam Hilton — with fairy lights courtesy of John Dabbs — managed to get his Bosun in front of Simon's, and kept it there. Nathan led the Toppers, but didn't have — despite a new sail — quite enough speed to trounce both Bosuns on handicap.

Rob Spiller, another one with a pretty new sail, cursed the rain, which was making his glasses impossible to see through.

The mulled wine went down very well afterwards, with thanks going to Linda Spiller for her help officiating.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.