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Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Crosby Sailing Clubs first racing using the new facilities

by Ian Middleton 7 Dec 2009 07:42 GMT 6 December 2009
Crosby SC invite West Kirby SC for their first open meeting at the newly opened Crosby Lakeside Activities Centre © Crosby SC press office

Crosby Sailing Club held its first race meeting with invited sailors from West Kirby SC on Sunday 6th December, at the newly opened Crosby Lakeside Activities Centre.

Crosby had been invited to sail over on the Wirral last year and this was the return match. Seven Crosby SC Solo class dinghies faced six from West Kirby. The day started with pure blue skies and favourable wind, within an hour it was pouring with rain and starting to really blow.

The first race saw Martin Hartley from West Kirby take an unbeatable lead from Crosby's Roy White, with Andy Fox from Crosby closing fast. A swim for Fox saw him battle valiantly back to second place. The front runners taking a speedy 12 minutes for each lap of the 24 hectare lake. The wind by the end of the race was really blowing and several boats were seen speeding off without their riders.

Race two saw Fox speed away from Hartley with John Dixon from West Kirby in third again. The wind had eased and changed direction slightly. Places changed back in the pack, as the lighter sailors sped off downwind, and the more substantial forced their way back through the places upwind.

Race three saw an change of course, but not a change at the front. Hartley led from Fox and Dixon.

The Challenge Plate was won by West Kirby, the first three boats from each club, counting their respective places in all three races, by 8 pts to 13pts. Prior to the prize giving a short tour of the new centre was given to the visitors, who were all impressed by the building.

The new bistro was the setting for the prize giving, sponsored by The Blanchard's. The prize was received by West Kirby's team Captain Martin Hartley. The Laser fleet were thanked for organising the racing.

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