West Kirby Sailing Club Annual Regatta
by Alan Jenkins & Liz Whitchel 17 Jul 2015 08:07 BST
3-5 July 2015
Junior prize-givng at the West Kirby SC Annual Regatta © Alan Jenkins
West Kirby S.C. founded in 1901 celebrated 100 years of Regattas on the 3rd to 5th July,
members living away came from all parts of Britain & Australia to celebrate the occasion.
Over 163 boat took part, involving 541 competitors over 3 days of racing, starting on Friday
with a long distance race taking place on the River Dee with some 51 competitors taking part over the picturesque part of the River in a force 2 - 3 wind.
First to finish was the "A" class Cat sailed by Andy Porter, but first on corrected time was the Falcon of the President Peer Price,2nd the "A2 class, 3rd another Falcon sailed by Matine Whittingham-Jones.
After racing members enjoyed a BBQ buffet & live music from "Pete Raven" on the guitar.
In the early evening it was the turn of the Junior fleet sailing on the Maine Lake. first to go
was the Cadet fleet of 10 led home in the first race by Alex & James Colquitt in "bad Influence" followed by "She's Electric Octavia Owen, & 3rs "Oreo" Ella Marston. Next the Youth Handicap
fleet made up Laser Radials, Toppers, Fireflies, The oval winner was the Laser Radial of Thomas James; 2nd the RS Feva of Simon Hall,3rd James Waddington's Mirror. Last but not least the
Illusion class led home by Richard Cornah in "Intrepid", 2nd "Kisan" Peter Williams, 3rd
"Dos's Pedalo" David Pilling. Winner in the Optimist fleet Minutaur" George Creasy, 2nd "Oppies" Gina Nicholson, 3rd "R2 D2" Harriette Brown.
Celebrations continued on Friday Night with a cocktail party for all members, attended by the Mayor & Mayoress of Wirral Les Rowland & his wife Paula. The Mayor presented the prizes to the Junior winners.
Saturday dawned with a force 3-5 blowing, now for some class racing(yes some clubs still sail class racing)first off the Falcon OD fleet, the President started were he left off on Friday by winning the first 3 races, even a retirement from the last race with a broken rudder could not stop him taking the "Point of Air" trophy in
"Harrier".
Now for the Hilbre class another local class "Hilbre" sailed by Richard Cornah had a first followed by 2nd & Jemima Riley in "Hirondelle" took 2nd spot, places were reversed on
Sunday with "Hirondelle" taking Charles Reid Salver with a last race win, 3rd was "Hicotte" Peter Bramley.
The Stars followed 5 minutes later (some of these craft are over 100 years old) Bruce Watkin sailing "Stella" won the Malcolm McWhor Memorial Cup with 2 wins, 2nd was Alister Sclater in "Mars" (all the class are named after stars).
Other winners on Saturday were Dart 18 of Simon Moruzzi, in the Opera class Gavin Melling,
slow handicap cats. Dart 16 Jon Waddington, Cruisers "Deelite" Sailfish 18 Keith Roberts,
Fast handicap "Zest Int. canoe Jamie Marston, Medium handicap "Ian" the Finn David Potter
and slow handicap "Bad Influence" Alex Colquitt in a Cadet.
Thanks to our friends for supporting the event Rooster, Running Imp, & Liverpool Power Boats
Cheers!
And to the recue fleet & all helpers thank you for making the vent a great success.
See the full results on club website.