Sailing Matters 7th October 2026
SAILING MATTERS 071026
I do love it when a plan comes together and that's not a frequent occurrence. But it happened last Saturday morning with the Introduction to Racing Group (I2R). Actually last Saturday morning was just good all round. TRAINING were on the lake with the ADULT LEARNING COURSE, MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY sailors were on the lake in Fireflies for their second session of the term and the I2R group occupied a corner… good to see plenty of activity on the lake.
Back to the I2R group. The rough plan was to achieve a series of short races. A light WNW breeze enabled the plan to work. We had five races. The geometry of the lake helped to ensure that with a starting line between a rib and mark no.1 and only 5 or 6 boats, they will all be in the right vicinity for the start - they were. Despite the fact that there were 4 different classes of boats being sailed, different boat speeds become irrelevant on such a short course with novice sailing/racing abilities. BUT a start and short race focused the minds wonderfully and we all had great fun. Repetition helped…. when the boat handling was mastered sufficiently the racing became quite competitive.
One of the starts of the five short races for the Introduction To Racing Group
It soon got competitive for the Introduction to Racing Group
Pics taken from video clips....by Hollie Marston
LAST SUNDAY'S AUTUMN SERIES RACES 7 & 8
Sundays forecast was good and after losing last Sunday's tidal racing to strong winds it was no surprise when some 20 boats turned out for Sunday morning's autumn series racing. It was LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY's turn to fill up the rest of the lake with Fireflies. Alan Leyland (Solo) won the first race of Fast Handicap class on corrected time by 23 second from James Douglas (ILCA7) with Andrew Potter (Phantom) third. It was ILCA7's (James Douglas, Ioannis Koutsokeras, Tony Clark) filling the first three places on corrected time for the second race, 420 4th (Eve Bromilow and Tom Underwood). The High PY Handicap class had six boats racing consisting of two Illusions a Mirror, a Heron and two Novice sailors sailing a Buzz and a Solo, who were persuaded to join in from Saturdays I2R session (They didn't take much persuasion!). It was the the two Illusions, sailed by Peter Williams and David Taylor that dominated on handicap Peter Williams, winning both races.
A start of the first Fast Handicap Race last Sunday
David Taylor sailing his Illusion last Sunday
Some novices joined in the High PY Handicap Race last Sunday.
pics by Alan Jenkins
COURSES ARE AN EMOTIVE SUBJECT !
That's an understatement. As I get near the end of my racing days I look back and admit to being a militant moaner on the subject on many occasions ….. courses too short, too long, no reaches, the runs were for ever etc. etc. Then there are courses for different types of races - destination races (eg the Mostyn Race), pursuit race courses, round the cans, Olympic courses.
For me any course should avoid being a 'follow the leader' course where there's little chance of over taking. Part of the joy of racing is in being able to make tactical decisions. There can be time trials and seamanship challenges, which are good fun but they are not really racing. Handicap racing naturally brings in to play an increased number of variables. In particular different courses suit different classes / types of boat.
We are very lucky at West Kirby in having both the lake and the estuary. Experience provides a race officer with the opportunity to satisfy disparate wants from sailors but not all at the same time and not for everyone. There are times when, as a competitor, you know what you are in for. The Round Hilbre Race is an example. This year's Round Hilbre Race was wonderful because the weather was just perfect. It might be another ten years before we enjoy such conditions again. The club tries hard to find ways of making the best of difficult / changing conditions with solutions (eg changes to courses in the sailing instructions - easily signalled to competitors before or during a race). Resources must also be taken into consideration by a race officer from a safety point of view.
Lots to think about. But that's sailing. The certainties - one solution rarely suits everybody - when it happens - celebrate! Be positive about racing - we are all lucky to be able to race. Discuss don't blame. If a rant is coming on - take a deep breath and count slowly to a hundred. Every now and again an irritating course is transformed by a sight wind shift - enjoy the moment!
Why not use the FORUM on the website (you need to Login - it's in the sailing section) to give your opinion.
DF95 RADIO SAILING
Elsewhere in the newsletter Martin Whittingham-Jones brings news of a new DF95 Radio boat. There's an opportunity for you (- yes you !) to have a go at radio sailing. You should - it is both fascinating and challenging. Martin will explain all.
COMING UP:
Tomorrow Thursday 8/10/26
- Radio Sailing (DF95) at 11:00.
- Mirror Class Thursday evening working group in the shed 17:30 - 19:00.
Friday 9/10/26
Illusion at 14:00
Saturday 10/10/26
- Tidal Sailing HW11:25 9.04M Subject to resources Start 10:15 for two races. Watch out for further communications on WhatsApp Groups as forecast is for strong winds.
- Morning Adult Training (Training Room)
AND
- Introduction to Racing (Macdona Room) 10:00-12:00
Sunday 11/10/26
HW11:59 9.11 MTR
Falcon Autumn 7 & 8 Start 10:15
Fast Handicap Dinghies Autumn Tidal 7 & 8 Start 10:30 Slow Handicap Start 10:30
Last updated 16:50 on 7 October 2026