West Lancs Yacht Club 2005

Leigh & Lowton Juniors went travelling -
All enjoyed the final away day at West Lancs

The 10th & final event in the 2005 North West Junior Travellers series was held at West Lancs Yacht Club on Saturday 8th October. The day started early, perhaps too early for yours truly who found the gate to the dinghy park locked - at least the dog enjoyed an early walk on the beach. One benefit of the early start is taking advantage of the galley on arrival - great Bacon Barms were available with steaming hot Coffee. An impressive 25 visitors (including 8 from L&Lsc) helped to boost the 2 fleets, the best Optimist showing of the season saw 12 approaching the start line including 10 from the home club, many of whom had little previous racing experience. 22 Toppers made up the bulk of the Handicap fleet, topped up with Lasers & a Radial.

The Lasers made best use of the variable wind conditions, from zephyr to F3, they took the top positions in the handicap fleet for each race & it was Carl Beck of the home club who won the Lloyd Hayes Trophy in convincing style. Our own juniors all seemed to enjoy themselves, if a little further down the rankings, once again Sophie was highest placed with Daisy, Sarah, Laura, Gideon & Andrew finishing in that order. There were one or two incidents which required 360 & 720 turns, it is refreshing to see how readily the fleet accepts & executes such penalties - no protests this time!!
Daisy impressed with an apparent understanding of the tricky conditions whilst it took Sophie 2 races to shake off her midweek anaesthetic and emerge from her painkiller induced haze to take a very creditable 7th in the final race (don't forget those 5 experienced lasers!) as the wind picked up.

Lucy secured 3 wins in the Optimist fleet, she found the windshifts challenging but seemed to take them in her stride, Andy Beck of the home club put up some fine opposition, particularly in the early stages of each race when positions were changing with each tack. Chris Barnes enjoyed his final Oppy races in his usual fashion, certainly keeping the onlookers entertained whilst on the water, at the lunch break he left his father to park his boat (& put a for sale notice on it) whilst running along the foreshore shouting Food, Food, Foooood!! - he didn't even notice that he had run past his mother, such was his hunger.

For the families that regularly attend, this series can only be described as a great success - ask the kids - they enjoy each & every race, they have also formed firm cross club freindships. The sailing is of the highest order, it is well behaved and it is quite apparent that all the competitors have improved their skills over the course of the season. A vote of thanks to Andy Millington who coordinates & organises the season in such a seamless fashion.
Seasons prizes were awarded at the end of sailing, Sarah took home the Optimist Fleet seasons trophy, Lucy & Chris got plaques for their podium placings. All the qualifiers received medals, certificates & chocolate (which was very closely guarded from parental snaffling).

Next event - Well, we'll have to wait for 2006!!

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