WKSC Newsletter 18 09 24

Last Sunday, West Kirby saw four teams compete for the Price Platter.  The event held in falcons kindly provided by their owners.  Each team sailing against each other twice before the final. The teams: 

Hilbres, Peter Bramley, Phil Oliver and Ian Clarke.  

The Falcons, Jonathan and Terri Atkinson with Sophie and Chris Gatenby.  

The Handicap Team of John Greenwood, Phil Smith and Eve Bromilow, 

The Youth Team, Holly Wright, Clare Wright and Tim.

After the initial round robin series each team had had six races.  Some really close racing saw team Holly and John qualify for the final.

The final was a best of three format, the first race had an aggressive start where both teams neutralised each other perhaps Holly just edged.  The first beat saw John being close covered as Holly wouldn't let him off the hook.  Holly rounded the windward mark two boat lengths ahead but now it was the turn of the following boat to have the wind. Closing fast John managed to get an overlap, however Holly managed to gybe onto starboard on the lay line for the pin end.  Whilst John managed to get a leeward overlap, it was within the three boat zone and therefore Holly had the right to room at the finish buoy.  John luffed the windward boat but was penalised for luffing a boat that was entitled to room.

Holly was one up.

The second race saw John win the start but had accrued a penalty, with a good lead near the windward buoy John took his penalty which brought Holly back into the race, close enough to sit right on John's wind, establishing an overlap to windward, John gybed out of the covered position allowing Holly to pass to leeward, a position Holly held to the finish.

Exiting stuff, when watched as opposed to being described by me.

All the teams had some great races, despite the rain, all teams had fun and would do it all again.

The winning team of Holly, Clare and Tim were presented with the Price Platter and a Crystal carafe and Glass which were kindly presented to the event by The Waverley.

We will be running more match racing days in the winter.  All are welcome to compete... a team needs three people of all sizes and ages.  Falcons are ideal for this event.