Birkenhead Radio Sailing & Power Club
A small band of sailors arrive in drizzle and with no sign of any wind, so adjourned briefly to tea/coffee and some of Mrs Watkinson’s exceedingly nice mince pies.
Then, on cue the breeze filled in from the North West allowing 10 closely fought races to be sailed.
After driving through floods and arriving in torrential rain, the Marblehead skippers probably didn’t hold out any great hopes for the day ahead, but as the first race started, the sky cleared and the wind filled in straight down the lake ensuring a terrific day of close racing.
Early front runner was Martin Roberts with various boats having their moments, but by lunchtime Darin Ballington and Colin Walton from Manor Park, and Graham Elliott from the home club had also established themselves at the top end of the leader board.
After lunch Darin started to claw back Martin’s early lead and after 13 races it was all square.
The final race was to be a shoot out to determine the overall winner and with that, the fleet hit the start line as one, bang on the hooter, with Martin tucked under Darin’s lee bow .
With both the light and wind fading Martin used all his local experience to grind out the win to take the event overall.
Next year the club is intending to hold open Marblehead racing at West Kirby so keep an eye on our website for dates. All welcome.
14 races sailed
Despite the weather forecast of snow and ice it was good to see 16 sailors turn up at the lake for the “Popup” Open.
They were greeted with flat calm, followed not much later by a hailstorm, but fortunately after that the wind filled in from the end of the lake allowing racing to start. By the second race, a squally shower ran through causing many of the fleet to go running for their “B” rigs – only to see the wind drop slightly for race 3.
This was a pattern that repeated itself throughout the day until racing was finally concluded with both wind and light fading.
Current RG65 National Champion Graham Elliott sailing another borrowed boat managed to win overall, although he didn’t have it all his own way, winning ‘only’ 3 of the 8 races sailed.
Roger Lincoln headed up the Dragonforce fleet in a very tight finish which required a countback on places to confirm the win.
As usual, huge thanks to Bernie for officiating in the cold, and to Joyce for supplying us with hot drinks in the breaks, and many thanks to John Brierley for organising and promoting the event and providing the prizes.
An excellent turnout of 13 skippers saw some fiercely fought racing at the start of the Dragonforce Winter Series.
The weather was surprisingly mild, although the wind coming generally from over the clubhouse with several 360 degree shifts thrown in proved interesting!
12 races sailed
A cool northerly breeze greeted the 12 Dragonforce 65 competitors on Wednesday. “A” rigs were used and a gap in the lakeside puddles found to set a diagonal course towards the far corner of the lake.
10 races sailed.
Series results here
Eight races sailed in gusty conditions on the “tree side” of the lake. Despite the Met Office “Strong Wind Warning” for the area, all were using top suits and hanging on through the gusts.
