Weekend sailors race for 24 hours

Sep 17 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

SAILING enthusiasts from the UK and beyond headed to Southport at the weekend to take part in a 24-hour dinghy race.

The race, which began at noon on Saturday and concluded yesterday, was organised by West Lancashire Yacht Club.

Now in its 41st year, the gruelling event is sailed in classic dinghies, the triangle course consisting of numerous 1.22-mile laps.

It provides an opportunity for sailing club and university teams to compete for trophies while enjoying lake-side entertainment.

As well as British teams, there are often a number of competitors from France and the USA.

Bolton Sailing Club won the event, with a duo from Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club, Rochdale, in second place.

West Lancashire Yacht Club committee member Tim Mercer said: “The whole event went really well. We hold it every year and over 1500 people came to watch the activities.

“A team of two came in second place, which is a huge achievement as teams are normally made up of eight-12 members.”

As well as the overall winners, prizes were awarded for a number of achievements within the race, fastest laps at dusk, midnight, dawn and other special categories.

All teams that completed the race received a finishers’ plaque.