Grafham sailor Mark Aldridge has won the Gill Dart 15 Winter TT and received the Chris Black Memorial Trophy following a commanding racing display at Grafham Water Saling Club.

Thirteen sailors from six clubs got underway in their dart 15s on March 12 in near-perfect sailing conditions, participating in three back-to-back races.

The Hunts Post: A sailor in action at the Gill Dart 15 Winter TT at Grafham Water.A sailor in action at the Gill Dart 15 Winter TT at Grafham Water. (Image: Paul Sanwell/OPP)

Mark Aldridge combated the conditions expertly and won each of the three races to win overall on an impressive day of racing.

Steve Saword of Rutland Sailing Club came second overall, and Grafham Water Sailing Club's Simon Farthing sailed home in third place.

The Hunts Post: Mark Aldridge also won a voucher from Gill, one of the leading marine apparel brands, who also sponsored the competition. Mark Aldridge also won a voucher from Gill, one of the leading marine apparel brands, who also sponsored the competition. (Image: Paul Sanwell/OPP)

In races one and two, Mark quickly assumed the lead on the 850m trapezoidal course and despite being extremely lucky to keep the boat upright after burying both bows approaching the windward mark in race 2, Mark held on to cross the line first.

Race three saw the course extended to 950m, and for the first time of the day, Mark was beaten to the windward mark by Steve.

The Hunts Post: Grafham sailor Jenny Ball came fifth overall with a top three finish in race one.Grafham sailor Jenny Ball came fifth overall with a top three finish in race one. (Image: Paul Sanwell/OPP)

However, Aldridge took the inside line to make the most of some extra pressure and reached the third windward mark in the lead, going on to win the race and competition.