by Andrew Stratton

ROYAL Mersey Yacht Club is planning a keelboat open day on the River Mersey in May.

Etchells, Squibs and Mylnes will be used and it is an ideal opportunity for interested sailors to have a go.

Saturday, May 13 is the day. Visitors welcome.

The Etchells were introduced to the Mersey in 2003 and the fleet expects to grow to a dozen boats this season.

A special celebratory dinner is being staged by the Etchell owners on March 11 to mark the start of the fourth year of competition on the river.

Potential owners and crews are welcome and a DVD showing the last two races of the 2005 San Francisco World Championship will be run.

q Crews taking part in the latest Brass Monkey series races staged by Liverpool Yacht Club on the River Mersey had to contend with rain and a changeable wind.

Neil Thomas, in his Prima 38 Mighty Max, headed IRC Class One with just 10 seconds dividing second and third.

Adam Kyffin, in a Formula 28 Flash II, finished clear on handicap in Class Two and Warwick Telfer, in an Achilles Clarevouyant, continued winning form in Class Three.

Richard Baldwin's Superseal Tango, which took line honours, held second place by the slenderest of margins.

The new season starts in mid-April.