West Kirby Sailing Club Star class Classic Boat Challenge 2026
by Bernie Hailwood & Nick Ledingham 7 Jul 19:26 BST
3 July 2026
Spinnakers flying - West Kirby Star class Classic Boat Challenge © Bernie Hailwood
The West Kirby Sailing Club Star Class annual Classic Boat Challenge was originally created to invite other clubs sailing classic wooden boats in the North West to come together, sail the iconic West Kirby Stars on the Dee estuary and generally have a good time sailing and talking all things classic boat.
Now in its third year, the initial date of 19th of June was blown off, but four teams came together on 3rd of July to take part in the rescheduled event.
Royal Mersey Yacht Club, Wallasey Yacht Club, and Conway Yacht Club were joined by a home team from West Kirby Sailing Club.
The day started with a briefing over coffee and cake and the draw for who would sail which boat. Conway Yacht Club drew no.6 Capella with pilot Nick Ledingham; West Kirby Sailing Club drew no.4, Carina, piloted by Dave Mayhew; no.12 Mercury was drawn by Royal Mersey Yacht Club, piloted by John Dowler and Wallasey Yacht Club sailed no.13 Orion piloted by Jane Sclater. The average age of the boats was well over 80 years!
The pilots escorted the crews across the beach in time to introduce the visitors to the boats and give rigging advice if necessary.
Race officer Chris Riley assisted by Bernie Hailwood and accompanied by official photographer Alan Jenkins were out on the committee boat in time to set the first of two races
Conditions were dry and bright with a NW wind averaging 10kts but quite 'lumpy' tidal water.
Both races started into the wind followed by a downwind leg with spinnakers to test out the crews sail setting ability. In fact the Stars have what is known as a 'balloon jib' which is flown inside the forestay.
Race 2 conveniently finished very close to the moorings as the ebbing tide required speedy de-rigging and exit via rib to the shore. There was close competition between Stars 4, 6 and 13 followed admirably by Star 12. Star 4 Carina helmed by Mike Hartley of WKSC, sailing on home ground, was eventually the overall winner.
A splendid buffet was laid on back at the clubhouse and during refreshments several of the visitors took advantage of a tour of the boatsheds and were able to see the successful maintenance work being done on three Stars currently ashore.including no. 11 Mars which was built built in 1949 and which has recently received a full overhaul by Jean-Louis Simons.
There is a considerable amount of pride in the Star fleet at West Kirby. During the winter months the boats are kept indoors and are worked on by owners and enthusiastic volunteers. The Star Association has encouraged many new sailors this summer with a view to mentoring some to become helms so that more of the Stars can be sailed more often.