Liverpool YC report on City of Culture Regattas

by Richard Baldwin on 5 Jul 2008 Liverpool Yacht Club organised the IRC classes for the City of Culture Regattas on 28 and 29 June. The weather on both days was similar with a W to NW F4-6 with slightly stronger winds on the Saturday. The races each day followed the same pattern.

Race 1 started from the marina going down river on the ebb into the Crosby channel followed by a triangular lap. In race 2 the IRC fleet was joined by the Etchells and Milnes. Various other classes were also sailing on different courses. Race 2 went from New Brighton to the Crosby Fairway buoy returning against the ebb before a shorter return sausage.

Race 3 started between LYC’s flagship MV Gullmaren and Tower crossing the river several times in an increasingly powerful flood; finishing off Liverpool marina. A short 100m first leg created some very close encounters and exiting starts!

Saturday racing saw an IRC fleet of three class 3 yachts and one from class 1. John Carrier’s J109 Sleeper took line honours in all 3 races. On handicap Richard Baldwin’s Superseal Tango won race 1 and John Myerscough’s Sadler 32 Catch 32 won race 2 but John Carrier managed to take the third race by 8 seconds from John Myerscough.

Jeanette and Dave Hardy’s Int. H boat Hocus Pocus had 2 seconds and a third. Annie Ward’s and Andy Napper’s GK24 Dirich joined the last race having sailed two handed overnight from Holyhead. The day concluded with an excellent hot-pot arranged by Alex Farrell.

Sunday saw three class 2 yachts and one from class 3. All three races had the same top places with Paul Hampson’s Sigma 33 Magic Moments taking line honours and Richard Baldwin’s Superseal Tango taking handicap honours. Michael Ryan’s Hustler 33 JLS came second in the first two races ahead of Andy Freeney’s Hunter HB31 Mistoffelees.

However despite taking a 360o penalty Andy took second place in race 3. John Myerscough joined race 3 and after a tactical masterstroke had a good lead at halfway, but was chased down to be overtaken just before the last turn.