Wirral Regatta Series 2004

This year's races were in complete contrast to last year.
The Liverpool YC Head of the River race had to be called off after we had all launched due to the high wind and problems with one of the safety boats.
This was a disappointment even though some of the Falcons did sail as a group and complete most of the course. As for the rest of us we had a short sail before heading off home.
We hoped for a better time at the next event hosted by the West Cheshire SC but with Force 5 to 6 and gusting to Force 7 the race was cancelled and we once again went home.
The next day it was Wallasey Y Cs turn and we at last managed to race. The conditions were quite breezy for our three lap race and as the breeze picked up the last lap was very exciting.
John Ainsworth won this race with Pete from the Dee SC second and myself a distant third.
The next two races were held on the River Dee, the first hosted by the Dee SC. The weather was dull and raining early on but the rain stopped in time for the racing and we had a nice breeze and quite a chop on the water. At the start of the first race I was mobbed by a host of very enthusiastic Fireflies from the West Kirby club and with a couple of over the line people turning back it was very lively, John was once again well to the fore but some confusion at the end saw him pass the wrong side of the line to start another lap and then have to go back round the mark to cross the finish line. The second race only lasted twenty five minutes to enable the West Kirby people to get back with the tide. Johns problem in the first race dropped him down to tenth place at the finish with myself in eleventh place.
The next day we returned for West Kirby's event and at last a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze that filled in for the races. Once again in both races the starts were very hectic affairs with a mass of Fireflies once again giving no quarter. I started well in the first race but had one of my will it wont it gibes and by the time I recovered was well back and ended up last.
John was again well up and Brian Taylor was also going well that is after he left the spinnaker alone.
In the second race I sailed better and managed to finish in front of Brian and close enough to be able to see John in the distance. John was once again in tenth place while I managed sixteenth with Brian Taylor and another John as crew finishing in twentieth place.
At the end of the day we had all enjoyed some very good racing and once again would recommend these meetings to everyone in our club.
The overall results for the series have John Ainsworth in fourth place, Ken Moran in sixth place and Brian Taylor in twentieth place. The main thing is that everyone who took part had a great time.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who organised and helped in this series and also to all the clubs for the friendly welcome we received at each venue. I hope the weather will be kind for next year when we hope to see everyone again.

Ken Moran.