Newsletter 21 05 25

TIME ! 
The sailor waits in anticipation, finger poised on the stopwatch ready for the moment when the class flag goes up. Before all that the Race Officer has readied his/her team, before that the organisation has prepared sailing instructions and course to sail, before that a sailing programme had been prepared. You get the picture. It all takes time. 

Just occasionally it all catches up with you and theres a feeling of running out of steam. I sensed that feeling with a lot of folk, me included and including sailors this last week. 

Fortunately that feeling of exhaustion passes and off we go again. Sheet in, bail out, lean out, bear off and go for it ! 
Lifes too short to do otherwise.

SAILING ACTIVITY
Illusions
A picture tells a story. '4 x Illusions' .... better than 3 !  On the margin one extra boat makes all the difference. 

4 x Illusions' .... better than 3

Dave Pontin concentrating in an Illusion

Photos by Alan Jenkins

Mirrors
The WKSC Handbook shows a fleet of 25 Mirror dinghies.  I dont recall this ever being a racing fleet. Occasionally one or two will be seen in a handicap races. Angus, Tash, Poppy and Ayla Armstrong competed in many events winning many on handicap as well as competing in Mirror Open Events and National  Championships. I am pleased to say that last Saturday morning there was a gathering of interested parties in Mirror Sailing/Racing. There were 4 x Mirrors out. 11 x interested parties. 4 or 5 apologies for absence.
And then there has been Sheena Davies and grandson Oliver racing in the Wednesday night Slow Handicap. More competition is needed. I intend to compete against them this Wednesday if I can locate a grandson to crew for me. We shall see. Thank you to all who  turned up on Saturday. 

Mirrors on Saturday Hollie and Luke

Mirrors on Saturday morning

Mirror Saturday Neil

Mirror Refurbishment by Syzmon Kosman

Photos by Tony Marston

Lake Racing 
The position of the recent high pressure has been feeding us easterly winds which if nothing else causes frustration especially on the lake and not surprisingly, puts some sailors off. However 12 x single handers raced on Sunday Steve Ferrington won the first race (Solo) from Ioannis Koutsokeras (Laser) and Steve Jardine 3rd (laser). The wind was trying to sort itself out ...the sea breeze was fighting to take control but sadly that really got established properly after the racing. Tony Clark (Laser) won the second race, from Alan Leyland (Solo) with Steve Jardine 3rd again in his Laser.

Easterly confusion

Lake Racing in Easterlies

Photos by Alan Jenkins

The Solo, Laser and Illusion racing on Tuesday night (200525)  - always good to watch  - why ? because 27 boats is a good sight and I am impatient to report that the number has surpassed 30 in number. This racing was the start of a new series which is lead by John Dixon in the Solos and Dave Pontin in the Illusions.  In the Lasers Lee Matthews leads the series with a 2nd and a 1st from James Douglas 1st & 3rd, Simon Johnson 3rd & 2nd. Glyn Purnell leads the way in the Laser Radials with two wins, Steve Shallcroft two 2nds 
and Richard Neale two 3rds.  

Laser Racing Tuesday

Photo by Tony Marston

I fear I've neglected the GP's and Lightnings. I'll have to make it up to both classes next week as I've run out of time this week.

WKSC SAILORS PERFORMING AWAY FROM HOME
Thorpe Bay YC 11/5/25 :British Finn Masters John Greenwood 3^rd

Chase SC: Lightning Open Event 18/5/25: Jude Stratton 13^th Judith Carter 14^th

Largs SC: Finn & D-Zero Open Event 18/5/25 - Finn: John Greenwood 1^st  D-Zero: Liz Potter 2^nd

Redesmere SC: Laser Open Event 18/5/25 : Steve Shallcroft 9^th  1st Lady: Wendy Shallcroft: 

COMING UP:
MOSTYN RACE: Bank Holiday Monday 26/5/25:  A great  race which all classes can compete in, to Mostyn and back. Across the estuary and back. What could be simpler? Nine miles as the crow flies, there and back and yet... you've got to get the tide right and the wind shits, what's the weather going to do? - looks a bit frisky looking at the latest forecast. A mass start can be daunting for some. The joys of sailing. Good Luck.

Junior Fun Week: Tuesday 27/5/25 to Friday 30/5/25. Still some places available. What will you get up to ? Depends on the weather but the tides are good ! 

Low Water Racing: Sunday 8/5/25 HW 09:57 7.88M More details to come.

WKSC & DEE REGATTAS 
West Kirby SC Regatta: 
Round Hilbre Race Friday 27/6/25
West Kirby SC Regatta 28/6/25
Dee SC Regatta 29/6/25

Tony Marston 
Sailing Secretary