Solo Open at West Kirby Sailing Club, sponsored by Winder Boats

Marine Lake Start during the West Kirby Solo Open © Alan Jenkins / WKSC

To coincide with the high tide we were invited to arrive by 8am for an early first race start on the Dee estuary at 09.55. Class captain and organiser, Bob Mosedale, even agreed to give Chris Gillard an early morning call at 6am following Chris' request.

Driving to West Kirby on an amazing sunny morning with the promise of sailing in open water on the sea was exciting. During the journey there was no sign of any wind with just a few of the wind turbines at Runcorn turning very slowly. When the 22 sailors arrived at the club we were relieved to see the flags on the marine lake wall flying well. A Southerly force 2-3, perfect.

Complimentary coffee and doughnuts on arrival and a very helpful team welcomed us taking entries and lunch orders... in cash... which was a challenge for a few.

The briefing was held confirming 2 races on the sea, Olympic Triangle Sausage followed by lunch ashore then the third race on the marine lake. The very experienced PRO for the day, Mike de St Paer assisted by his wife, Anne, set out early and had the course ready on time.

First start was biased to the Committee boat and was a general recall. With the wind tracking 10 degrees right the ODM was adjusted and the race got away with a clean start. John Dixon nailed the start and tacked straight out to the stronger flood tide and at the windward mark those that took the western side of the course in better current and wind led at the mark. Martin Hartley, Steve Denison, Innes Armstrong, Graham Ellis, led the fleet. It was sitting on the side with occasional hiking conditions, sunny and consistent wind direction, perfect.

Upwind in the Estuary during the West Kirby Solo Open - photo © Alan Jenkins / WKSC

The subsequent laps saw plenty of place changes and at the end it was Hartley from Denison and Armstrong following a very close and tactical race, especially the dead run against the current and approach to the leeward mark 3.

By race 2 the wind had softened a bit and tracked a further 10 degrees right to SW F2 leading the PRO Mike to rotate the line. The race had a clean start with a few boats trying a more inshore route to avoid the current which was by then starting to ebb. But with better pressure those that went right look the lead for another excellent and tactical race.

At the end it was Denison who took the lead followed by local expert and quick Hartley. In third place was a delighted Ross Southwell. Ross is a young new joiner to the fleet who had generously been leant Andy Carter's Solo to take part. Chatting with Ross after the race he said how much he is enjoying racing the Solo with proper one design, strong competition and good turnouts. We look forward to seeing Ross and other young and recent sailors to the fleet; Ben Deareen and Cameron Norris.

The pulled pork bap and chips lunch was delicious sitting on the sunny balcony overlooking the estuary. But the wind was rapidly dropping with a third race looking very unlikely. Mike called a very wise half hour postponement and the sailors gathered at the marine lake later to decide whether to race.

Hartley tested the drifting conditions while everyone watched from the shore with one or two deciding to pack up. Then, suddenly, a F3 NW breeze filled blowing straight down the lake and race three was ON.

With a pin end bias it was Innes Armstrong, Philip Barnes, Nick Hornsby and Steve Denison who took the early lead in, by now, hiking conditions. The windward leeward style course was ideal on the lake. Barnes took the lead at the end of lap one and extended to take the race. The super consistent Hartley second and Hornsby took Armstrong to take third.

Marine Lake Run during the West Kirby Solo Open - photo © Alan Jenkins / WKSC

Bob Mosedale presented the prizes and Martin Hartley thanked everyone, especially Mike the PRO who made excellent decisions throughout the day.

West Kirby Solo Open Winners (l-r) Philip Barnes 3rd, Stephen Denison 2nd, Martin Hartley 1st - photo © Justine Davenport

We look forward to returning to West Kirby again in 2026!

Overall Results: