Newsletter 25 06 25

This week's 'Sailing Matters' covers more than a week as I enjoy picking up feed back from sailing events more than a week ago. It's good to share your sailing stories and experiences. I'm pleased to channel them through 'Sailing Matters'. If you are lucky, sailing is a lifetime's adventure. It can take you to places you never dreamed of when you set out on that adventure. It snares you with moments of sheer ecstasy and other moment of trauma. If you survive it all and nearly everybody does, you realise you can't let go of it. It's become part of you. REGATTA DAY gives YOU the opportunity to enjoy West Kirby Sailing Club and all it stands for. To maybe influence someone else to get involved, to revitalise your own enthusiasm and pass it on to someone else. Sermon over! Let's go sailing.

The Sailing Week (more than) in Review

Hilbre Class Racing Summer Series 3&4 15th June from Peter Bramley re Hilbre Sailing:
With a brisk breeze the Hilbre class turned out 6 boats for races Summer 3&4 but only four started race 3. Ian Clarke with the newly purchased Hie 6 had a mud encased centreboard which simply would not lower and the Presidential Yacht had jammed halyards. Hicotee set off behind the fleet and succeeded in finishing second. They were never going to catch Jemima's Hirondelle who had read the tides perfectly and had the race sewn up by the first buoy.

For race 4 the mud had softened in Hie 6 casing and they finished 3rd behind Tim Booth in Hioco and Jemima finishing the day first to complete the circle with firsts on the last two days of the Spring series.

Hilbres TM Library

Hilbres When a halyard gets jammed up the mast send someone up

West Kirby SC Regatta  ILLUSIONS Friday 20th June 
Martin Hartley borrowed Peter Bradshaw's Illusion for the WKSC Regatta ILLUSION CLASS Friday 20th June... and won ! 
But not every race. Racing between the six Illusions was close in the steady south westerly breeze. Race Officer Jean-Louis Simmons managed the event and completed all five scheduled races. Other race winners were Peter Williams and David Pontin. Although Martin was the clear winner on 8 points there was just one point separating second place Peter Williams and third place David Pontin. 

Illusions competing in WKSC Regatta ILLUSION CLASS 

Start of a race in the WKSC Regatta Illusion  Class

WKSC Regatta Illusion Class running

Falcons at Wallasey YC Regatta 21st and 22nd June
The tidal classes suffer from neap tides every other week when there's usually no programmed races.... only that's just not the full picture. The Falcon Class took the opportunity to race on the Mersey in Wallasey Yacht Club's regatta held at low water last weekend. The regatta now spans two days now, as sadly we lost the West Cheshire SC's regatta a little while back. Two very different days weather wise. The pictures are from the light wind Saturday. Sunday was blowing. 

Falcons at Wallasey YC Regatta 

Falcons at Wallasey Regatta 

 Light Wind for the Falcons on Saturday at Wallasey YC Regatta

Lake Racing this last week
I apologise for not having much detail to report. In general the wind has been up and this has reduced turnouts however the Lasers were still well represented last night despite a breeze up to force 5 at times. 

Breeze up Lasers last night

Dan Roberts sailing his Laser last night

Jon Worthington Lasers Lat night

WKSC Juniors at the North Youth and Junior Championships Ullswater YC 21st & 22nd June

Eight sailors from WKSC attended the North Youth and Junior Championships this weekend at Ullswater Yacht Club. For some of our sailors it was their first major event and first regatta away from their home club. We had some fantastic results and West Kirby Sailing Club was also awarded the North West Regional Shield for the Club with the most improved attendance at the event. This is great news and shows the promise from our Youth and Junior fleets. Congratulations to Eve Bromilow for winning the Oppo Helm Award in the 420 Class, to Amber Price for winning the Oppo Helm Award in the Optimist Championship fleet and to Edie Rogers and Isobel Sandow who were 2nd overall and 1st U17 in the 420 class. A fantastic well done to our other Youth and Junior sailors , Tom Underwood, Sophie Butler and Francesca and Finnlay Brown who attended the event and enjoyed a brilliant weekend of Sailing, camping , fun, and some pretty crazy weather!  Thanks to Clare Rogers for this report.

Good medals for the juniors at Ullswater

 Briefing at Ullswater Junior Championship

Coming Up....
The Round Hilbre Race: Friday 270625. Forecast is threatening too much wind but we wont make a decision till the last minute. If its sailable but not recommendable for going round Hilbre then we will run a storm course if possible. Please watch the WhatsApp groups for the RO's decision.

Regatta Weekend of course! West Kirby SC and Dee SC Regattas. The forecast is reasonable to good so far. What ever you see in the forecast don't let that stop you coming down to the club to celebrate West Kirby SC of Regatta Day. 

NOR in Events below.

Weather forecasting:
Is anyone else having problems with the Metoffice Website? Suddenly it doesn't work for me. Have I pressed the wrong button or is it them?

Probably like me you look at several weather forecasting sites on line. At the core of them though, for me, is the Metoffice site. 
Feedback on any subject can be made by logging on to WKSC's website and using the Forum... Go on Have-a-go. 

Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary

Tony Marston  Sailing Secretary