Two Vane 36r’s from Llandudno contested the vane 36r national championships at Birkenhead lake.  This is the first vane race held at Birkenhead in approximately 20 years and it was a pleasure to sail on this excellent water with a convenient and well appointed clubhouse.

• Gecko Sailed by Dave and Rob Bell
• Koorah Sailed by Alan and Marg Bell

A total of 9 entries contested the trophy over the weekend 9th – 10th April.

On Saturday a complete round of 9 heats was sailed.  Initially conditions were light and variable, however a breeze moved in with the tide from the NW end  to provide excellent competition in top and later second suit sails.  conditions gradually eased as the tide receded back to a top suit.  Gecko finished the day 7 points clear at the top of the table.

On Sunday the wind freshened from the SE end of the lake providing racing in a gusty  second and third suit breeze.  Some spectacular broaches were seen by competitors flying excessively tall spinnakers.

The final summing of the boards sailed resulted in a win for Gecko (co-skippered by Dave Bell/Rob Bell).  Chris Harris and Sam Roberts chased hard but were unable to catch up and had to settle for second.

RGB 2016.04.10

• 2 Dragonforce 65’s

• 2 Dragonflite 95’s

• 2 Vane 36r’s

• 3 Dragonforce 65’s
• 1 Dragonflite 95
• 1 Vane 36r

sailing down at the West Shore Lake.