WEAVER SAILING CLUB

www.Weaver-sc.org.uk   Email sailing@weaver-sc.org.uk

                                               

 

                                               

 

 

 

Mersey Challenge 2008

 

                                                                                15 June 2008

 

 

The second leg of the Mersey Challenge was held at the Weaver Sailing Club. (The first leg at Fiddlers Ferry Was cancelled due to high winds.)

The turnout was very good with thirteen different types of dinghy taking part.

Weaver Sailing had ten boats on the water and Fiddlers Ferry had eleven boats, an excellent turn out and I would like to thank everyone who sailed and everyone who helped to make this a great day.

On the day the water was very low and this must have been a help to Fiddlers as all the mud was visible. With so many boats it was decided to have three fleets of seven starting at five minute intervals with the slowest boats going first and the fastest going last.

As the wind started to pick up we had a shorter race for the first race to let everyone get a feel for the conditions. In the event soon after the start the wind dropped but the race was quite interesting as the faster boats got among the earlier starting fleets. The result was some close racing and some close finishes. The result of this race was Weaver, 1st, 3rd, & 4th and Fiddlers 2nd, 5th &6th to give Weaver an 8 point to 13 lead.

The breeze picked up again so the second race was started as soon as everyone ready. For this race we went the full distance to Marsh Lock then back to the Barge Buoy then to Marsh Lock and then home. The race was the same three fleet format and produced some even closer racing than the first race with neck and neck racing throughout the field and dramatic action in the form of a capsize within ten meters of the line. The result was a little closer 1st, 5th, &6th for Fiddlers and 2nd 3rd,& 4th for Weaver. This gave Weaver an overall win by 17 points to 25 But the real winners were all the people who took part and made this a fun filled and very enjoyable day. Everyone then enjoyed the buffet and special thanks must go to the ladies in the galley who set out all the food and kept everyone supplied with drinks, Thank you all.

On behalf of the Weaver Sailing Club I would like to say a big thank you to Fiddlers Ferry Sailing Club For their excellent turnout.

I am very sorry that Liverpool Sailing Club were unable to attend as they really did miss a great day, it is this sort of friendly competition that brings clubs together socially and promotes the sport of sailing. We look forwards to the 21st September for the final leg of The Mersey Challenge at Liverpool Sailing Club.

 

Ken Moran W S C