THE LEADING yachts took almost 17 hours to finish in Tranmere Sailing Club's Annual Midnight Race from Rock Ferry to Douglas.

In a terrific finale, Neil Thomas in Paranoah took line honours from Liverpool Yacht Club colleague Leyland Morris in Outrageous by just five seconds.

But loss of wind overnight after a spinnaker start from the Mersey went in favour of the slower boats. Overall winner on corrected times was home club member Jim Gavin in Salamandra ahead of Simon Bradley in Merlander.

John Burthem, from West Kirby, sailed to victory in the 43rd Falcon Class Championship staged over two days on the Dee Estuary. Peter Healey was runner-up.

A one day Open Meeting for Hilbres was taken by Gareth Wright in Hie. Chris Broad in Meraquita finished top in the Royal Mersey Mylne match racing, while Wallasey Yacht Club's Crosby race for the Buckland Trophy went to Alan Snowden in Goosander.

Hoylake SC's annual Ladies' Race in Operas was taken by Nikki Melling in Silvana. The Cruisers raced to Conway and Mike Gray in Sparkey won subject to confirmation.

RESULTS:

Tranmere Isle of Man Race: 1, Salamandra (J. Gavin, Tranmere) 12.25.27; 2, Merlander (S. Bradley, Tranmere) 12.36.43; 3, Catch 32 (J. Myerscough, Liverpool) 12.42.04.

West Kirby Falcon Championship: 1, Hawkwind (J. Burthem); 2, Golden Eagle (P. Healey); 3, Phoenix (M. Mayhew), all West Kirby SC.

Hilbre Open: 1, Hie (G. Wright); 2, Hilsa (J. Bethell); 3, Highlight (G. Riley), all West Kirby SC.

Star series race: Carina (R. Willcock).

Hilbre series race: Highlight.

Marine Lake winners: Fireflies: C. Delves. Single handed: A. Jenkins. Lasers: J. Smith. Fast Handicap: P. Johnson. Slow Handicap: D. Cheshire. GP 14 Gold Fleet: N. Platt. Silver Fleet: J. Carlin. Cadet: A. Cornah. Junior Handicap: B. Fernandez.

Royal Mersey Mylne Match Racing: Meraquita (C. Broad). Mylne/Squib series races: Abandoned.

Wallasey Seabirds Buckland Trophy: Goosander (A. Snowden).

Hoylake Opera Ladies Race: Silvana (Nikki Melling); Conway Cruiser Race: Sparkey (M. Gray).

Royal Mersey stage their annual Regatta at Rock Ferry on Saturday, with the Liverpool Regatta following on Sunday. West Kirby have a two day Open Meeting for Cadets on the Dee Estuary.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.