The Gareloch Class went to the Royal Mersey Yacht Club at Rock Ferry to race in Mersey Mylnes. The pier from which we went out to the boats is a listed structure and was used by a long gone ferry across the Mersey. It was a very special party because our hosts celebrate their 175th anniversary this year.
The tide dominates racing here. We think of up or down referring to the direction of wind. The locals use the term to refer to tide. Wind was light but much better than forecast. The course along the west shore kept us away from the commercial vessels in the river and from strongest tide.
We had three team races. Our best performance was in the first, when our own Barrie Choules took line honours. We were equal on points in this race so that the hosts won it by virtue of not having first place.
On Sunday morning, there was a fleet race, again won by a local crew. Our own Lucy Forrester, on the helm of Mercury, kept them honest. She was pinned out left as a result of poor tactical advice from another of the Gareloch team and had trouble getting to the windward mark on port tack with the fleet on starboard. Slick spinnaker work by Royal Mersey Commodore Ian Diamond helped Lucy to be first at the leeward mark. She made good use of the gap to the peloton and kept all but one at bay.
President: