Author: Peter Baldwin

With a strong B suit wind blowing over and between the houses, the course set by Neil used the whole lake and proved to be an interesting one to sail. If you were fortunate to get the right lift, a slow start was soon to be not a problem. With seven different winners, everyone was in with a chance. Fortunately we only had two retirees and this was due to radio problems. Many thanks to John Carlin for volunteering to be OD and giving us 10 good races.

1. Alan Watkinson      19 pts. 3wins
2. Neil Westbrook       21 pts 2wins
3. Richard Robinson  21 pts 1win
4. David Williams       34 pts 1win
5. Mike De St Paer      39 pts 1win
6. Derek Matthews     43 pts
7. Don Mackinnon      46 pts 1win
8. Simon Bates             52 pts
9. Paul Little                 56 pts 1win
10. Sally Collings           63 pts 1 x 2nd
11. Richard Walker       63 pts 0 x 2nd
12. Charles Legg          101 pts (Rtd early)
13. Barrie Baugh         105 pts. (Rtd early)

A Southerly wind, with large holes near the clubhouse end, met the five competitors for the IOM race #7. Because of the nature of the conditions the racing was extremely tight with Bill Culshaw getting the worst luck of all. Competitors throughout the afternoon, often leading and then falling into an area of no wind. Alan Watkinson was constantly challenging and managed two race wins. With ten races completed the result for the afternoon was decided in the last fifteen metres of the final race when John Brierley and Dave Hollom fell into one of those flat spots and Graham Birkett skilfully sailed past to take a well deserved win. Thanks again to Bernie and Jack for running the racing. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoons sailing in difficult conditions.

1. Graham Birkett    133        widget                         17pts                      3 wins
2. Dave Hollom         62          dead reckoning       18pts  {3 x 2nds}  2 wins
3. John Brierley        84           brit pop                      18pts  (2 x 2nds)  2 wins
4. Alan Watkinson    23          brit pop                     22pts                      2 wins
5. Bill Culshaw           21          brit pop                     27pts                     1 wins

After 10 races

Sunday dawned as cloudy and mild but without the early rain that had been forecast for the early part of the day.  The wind once again was from the SE, but a little stronger than Saturday at 10-11 knots. Racing got underway soon after 9:30 and a total of 6 races were sailed by 11:30 when the breeze again started a shift towards the SW and racing had to be stopped until the wind settled and the course could be reset to sail from the Promenade.  A further 9 races were then sailed before the cut-off time. At least the sun was now out to warm the competitors and although the wind had initially reduced in strength as it shifted, by the time racing resumed there were some stronger gusts.  Some competitors held onto their top rigs as long as they could but eventually had to change down.

Once again, Brad Gibson dominated the day with a scoreline almost a third of the second placed boat, Austin Guerrier, with Rob Vice a short way behind in third place. Most of the wins were taken by those on the podium, although Darin Ballington took two race wins and Martin Roberts one. Darin unfortunately had electrical problems in Race 9 which forced an early end to his day.  Martin had a long hook up on a mark warp when in a good position and then lost another race due to gear failure which also ended his chances of a higher position.  At the prizegiving, Brad thanked everyone for coming to the event and also thanked all those club members who helped run the event over the weekend.

A great but ultimately tiring days sailing with a good breeze, sunshine and no rain made for a good weekend at West Kirby.

Sunday photos courtesy of Gill Pearson. A full set of photos taken is on our Flikr page here.  If you would like a full resolution version please email the Webmaster (see Contact page)

The day started with a light 6 or 7 knot breeze from the SE, giving a reasonable course sailed from the outer walkway of the Marine lake.  During the morning, the wind swung more to the South before going back again.  It never increased beyond 7 knots but did drop to 2 knots before rising again.  Finally after lunch the wind died and then returned from the SSW.  Racing was held for an hour or so whilst the course was reset and the control area run from the promenade.  This enabled an additional 6 races to be completed for a total of 14.  The top spot was never much in doubt all day with Brad Gibson getting the lions share of the race wins.  Behind him though there was close racing within the chasing group of Austin Guerrier, Darin Ballington, Rob Vice, Mark Robinson and Tony Edwards, all vying for the podium positions at different times in the day.  In the end, Tony Edwards had a good final run to finish in second, with Mark Robinson in third.

Click on the image to see at full resolution.

Saturday photos courtesy of Dave Williams.  A full set of the images taken is in an Album on our Flikr pages here

Ten Sailors arrived to a cold A+ wind blowing straight down the lake.  John Carlin was on good form winning 5 of the races. There were a number of very close finishes, keeping our OD of the day Dave Williams on his toes. Ten races were held.

1. John Carlin. 11pts. 5 wins
2. Neil Westbrook. 25pts. 1 win
3. Richard Walker. 28pts 1 win
4. Charles Legg. 31pts. 1 win
5. Derek Matthews. 32pts
6. James Douglas. 37pts 1 win
7. Don Mackinnon. 40pts
8. Simon Bates. 45pts. 1 win
9. Paul Whalley. 72pts
10. Barry Baugh. 79pts

A light SE/S/E breeze confronted the 6 RG65 skippers for #6 in the Summer Series.  After 3 races in a light and dropping wind, the breeze switched off completely with no indication of when it would return.  A break was called and some work was started in preparation for next weeks M Ranking weekend at West Kirby.  The rain then started, which put paid to any chance of the wind returning and so racing was cancelled by 15:30 with only 3 races completed.  John Brierley took two wins to the single one for Peter Baldwin and so John finished first, Peter second and Neil Westbrook third.  Thanks again to Bernie for running the racing.

1. John Brierley         84  Uno      4 pts
2. Peter Baldwin       63  Uno       6 pts
3. Neil Westbrook    03  Uno       9pts
4. Dave Williams      33  Uno       12pts
5. Charles Legg         26  Uno       14pts
6. Alan Watkinson   23  Scurry  18 pts