Traditional Chasewater regatta sets sail again
A traditional Boxing Day boat race returned to Chasewater after three years following the completion of a £5.5 million restoration project.
More than 100 spectators turned out to watch the post-Christmas event, which has been a custom at the Chase Sailing Club, near Burntwood, for 57 years.
In the past two years the tradition has been kept alive with a walk around the reservoir dam while the water was drained.
Yesterday 18-year-old Sam Pickering from Aldridge won the race in his single-handed Phantom boat.
Committee member Roger Round said: "It was great to be sailing again on Boxing Day.
"Sixteen boats took part, of all different kinds.
"We got a good crowd out to watch, and thankfully the weather was kind to us. Sam has been sailing here with his brother Ben for six or seven years but he still did well to beat the more established members of the club."
Work began on draining the lake in January 2010 so that vital repair work to prevent possible flooding of nearby homes could be carried out. The reservoir is now filled again.
