1st Boat: Tommohawk 44 Type: Falcon Skipper: Reece Tomlinson
2nd Boat: Nighthawk 35 Type Falcon Skipper: Adrian Dodd
3rd Boat: Harris Hawk 65 Type: Falcon Skipper: Ian Reading
Strong wind conditions made for an exciting start on this fathers day race, the large field for this race often found it difficult to stay upright as the wind shift were quite severe. Tommo hawk 44 followed by Night Hawk 35 & Millennium 33 made excellent starts leaving the rest of the field well behind as they rounded the first mark to head for Warrington. By the Gateworth mark No 6, Tommo hawk still held the lead from Nighthawk in turn still being tracked by Millennium & Redfoot 42.
Millennium 33 collided with mark No 6 and effectively ended it challenge in the race.
The wind conditions increased with a few sailors taking an early bath without the aid of red cards, but the sailing proved a great spectical for the large crowds out for their Sunday strolls on the river front.
By the halfway mark of the seven mile race Tommo hawk had made great progress and had established a good lead over the next 3 boats all Falcons who were able to handle the strong conditions better than most classes taking part.
As the race moved forward to its conclusion the lead that Tommo hawk had built was being eroded by Night hawk and Harris hawk and has all three boats came to the finish line Tommo Hawk took the honours by just 9 seconds from Night hawk who with Adrian Dodd at the helm produce his best performance of the season. As Tommo hawk crossed the line Helmsman Tony Tomlinson to the surprise of his crew and in celebration ran along the deck and dived into the river, very brave with 2 boats coming in to cross the line.
In Olympic terms he would have scored at least a 9 for his diving, whilst others where still trying to avoid getting wet but failing badly so, if you managed to stay dry that was some form of success
The safety boats had a busy afternoon and as the day concluded only one boat sustained slight damage. Our thanks to the safety boat crews, Dave, Sally, Ed & Craig. Our thanks also to the Officers of the day team of, Pat, Dave & Rob and for the after race refreshments to Sue W.
Next week it’s the turn of Fidlers Ferry Junior Team who race in the Southport 12 hr Race, this year being supported by Mersey Rail
Visitors are always welcome.
Yours faithfully
Colin Howard, Sailing Sec
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