

Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club
17 boats turned up to race with the wind threatening to increase during the day. The wind direction from the south east and A rig was chosen to be used. As racing progressed the wind increased in strength and altered in direction, this caused the wind to become very shifty with big gusts and areas of no wind. The direction was now from over the clubhouse and at times coming down vertically and going in all directions with many boats turning into submarines on the downwind legs.
When the scores were finally added up, it was all very close at the top with only 5 points separating the first four boats. Thanks to RO Simon Bates who managed to give us 10 races in the difficult conditions.
Now on the tail end of three named storms the wind had died down to a top end of A rig. Heavy gusts had the boats submarining on the run. The wind again this week was from the top end of the lake at an angle over the houses. A course was set with the start halfway up the lake sailing from the far side heading towards the houses for the windward mark. With tricky wind shifts it was difficult to decide which way to approach.
Graham’s consistency with two first, a second and 4 thirds just managed to pip Neil even with his five firsts. There were a few gear failures and a dunked transmitter!!
Many thanks to RO John Carlin who kept the races running smoothly under difficult conditions and he even fitted in a couple of general recalls.
After 10 races
12 sailors arrived expecting storm Dudley; at 10.00am we were going to go with A+ but the wind did freshen and with the heavy gusts B rig was used.
The wind from the top end over the houses proved to be very difficult to judge and created many opportunities to either catch up or lose in the lulls depending on the course you decided to take. The stars of the day were Alan, Neil and Richard R managing all 10 wins between them. The most call backs on the start line also went to Alan with 5!!
Many thanks to Sally our RO who managed to keep the races on track managing a full 10, especially as there were many drop outs due to gear failure.
After 12 races