2002

The Soling North West Championships were held at the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht club over the Easter weekend of 30^th March to the 1^st April. Nine solings took part with teams from all over the UK.

The most interesting statistic of the event was that in the 10 races sailed, 6 different boats took "line honours".

All of the races were held in the River Wyre Estuary, opposite the B&FYC clubhouse, in south-westerly winds ranging from around 8 to 20 knots. The courses were of windward/leward format. Throughout the weekend the "yellow jersey" swapped several times, with the event undecided until after the last race.

There were only 2 points seperating the first, second and third places. The eventual winning team being that of GBR 147 "Chinook", George Barker, Roger Winward and Jeremy Climas.

Results (After 2 Discards)

1^st  GBR 147 George Barker, Roger Winward and Jeremy Climas

2^nd GBR 143 Michael Preston, Bryan Bottomley and Ron Preston

3^rd GBR 155  Gary Richardson, Andrew Taylor and Stuart Lee

4^th GBR 160  Hamish Loudon, Roy Manifold and Baz Fountain

5^th GBR 157 Chris Dodgshon, Liz Loudon and Iain Loudon

6^th GBR 5 Derek Priestley, Neil Wharton and Mike Parkinson

7^th GBR 7 Peter Chester, Chris Ball and Robert Mountain

8^th GBR 165 John Roberts, Martin Dickens and Dave Wilde

9^th GBR 144 Dave Fish, Thomas Airnes, and Ian Brierly