WEST Kirby Sailing Club had a 43-strong turnout on the Marine Lake for a special GP 14 Class 50th Anniversary race.

Neil Platt claimed the Gold Fleet prize, Mal Jones headed the Silver section and John Burthem was first in the Bronze.

Platt followed up by winning the two day Open meeting at the weekend when sailing under the Bolton burgee. Local hopes Martin Hartley and John Dixon were the others in the frame.

The Hilbre Class called up original yacht owners to compete in a special 40th Anniversary race on the Estuary. Talbot Smith in Hie was victorious ahead of John Clarke in Highwayman.

Poor conditions somewhat spoiled the Mersey Festival Regattas. Only the Offshore yachts competed on Saturday, but there was a four class turn out on Sunday.

Overall winners were Neil Thomas in the Channel Handicap, Jim Connolly in the LBSA group, Chris Broad in the Mylnes and Mike Lynskey in the Squibs.

Wallasey members were again counting the cost when the wash of the Seacat sank two Seabirds, on Saturday. Tern and Marilla were recovered, but were damaged.

Wallasey officials only a short time before had discussions with the Seacat operators over the problem, which had claimed two other yachts last Summer.

Eye witnesses said the swell flattened the whole fleet but, luckily, most boats righted themselves. Crews would have been aboard preparing to head off for the Festival Regatta at Otterspool but for the poor weather, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. More urgent talks were back on the menu to prevent a third set back.

RESULTS:-

West Kirby SC:

GP14 Open: 1, N. Platt (Bolton); 2, M. Hartley (West Kirby); 3, J. Dixon (West Kirby).

Silver Fleet: R. Orrell (West Kirby).

Bronze Fleet: A. Kent (Tresaith Mariners).

Under-21: A. Dransfield (West Kirby).

GP 50th Anniversary race: N. Platt.

Hilbre 40th Anniversary race: Hie (T. Smith).

Stars: Jupiter (I. Eccles) and Juno (S. Laing), one win each.

Falcons: Hawkwind (J. Burthem) and Phoenix (M. Mayhew), one win each.

Hilbres: Highwayman (R. Glover), two wins.

Festival Regattas (overall):-

Channel Handicap: Paranoah (N. Thomas, Liverpool).

LBSA: Scenario Act II (J. Connolly, Blundellsands).

Mylnes: Meraquita (C. Broad, Royal Mersey).

Squibs: Lately (M. Lynskey, Royal Mersey).

Wallasey YC:

Seabirds: Goosander (A. Snowden).

Royal Mersey YC:

Mylnes: Mercatur (P. Smith).

Squibs: Kachina (P. Ball).

Tranmere Sailing Club's Annual Isle of Man Midnight Race starts at Rock Ferry on Friday evening with the finish at Douglas.

In the Dee Estuary, there are open meetings for Falcons, Stars and Hilbres.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.