THE strong overseas challenge was repelled in the Model Yachting Association One Metre World Championship hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club on the Marine Lake but top Wirral contestants just missed out on the main prize.
Brad Gibson, Graham Elliott and Martin Roberts all from the Birkenhead club took the minor placings behind new champion Peter Stollery from Guildford.
Defending champion Zvonko Jelavic from Croatia was seventh overall in a 70-strong field.
Stollery posted eight victories in 25 starts and Gibson led the fleet in on six occasions.
OVERALL RESULT: 1. P Stollery (Guildford) 56pts; 2. Brad Gibson (Birkenhead) 59; 3. Graham Elliott (Birkenhead) 95; 4. Martin Roberts (Birkenhead) 110. Royal Mersey Yacht Club staged a successful Regatta on the Mersey.
Winners: Etchells: Invader (J.Wright). Falcons: Merlin (J.Downes). Mylnes: Mercator (J.Smith). Squibs: Apollyon (D.Davies). Seabirds: Cormorant (A.Read). IRC: Mighty Max (N.Thomas).
