Royal visitor to Wirral yacht club (From Wirral Globe)
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Royal visitor to Wirral yacht club
3:18pm Tuesday 4th May 2010 in News By Geoff Barnes
NORWAY'S sailing mad King Harald V has today visited a Wirral yacht club at the heart of exciting waterfront regneration plans.
The King is a passionate yachtsman and during his earlier life he was a member of the Norwegian Olympic team three times.
He won gold, silver and bronze in the Eurpean Championships and in 2008 his yacht Sira - built for his father King Olav V - celebrated first place in the eight metre class in the world championship of tradional sailing.
Today he was a special guest at the Royal Mersey Yacht Club in Rock Ferry. Escorted by the club's immediate past Commodore Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz he was welcomed by Commodore David Massey and flag officers of the club.
The club has joined forces with Wirral Council and other agencies to spearhead development projects at the Rock Ferry waterfront.
King Harald boarded the yacht Momentus to cruise the Mersey racing waters and to view the club fleet at their moorings.
He sailed past the UNESCO world heritage waterfront of Liverpool and disembarked at the Albert Dock.
Tonight he will attend a reception and dinner in his honour at Liverpool town hall.
The reception is due to be attended by the Duke of Gloucester.
Mr Massey said the club was delighted to welcome such an accomplished and passionate sailor.
He commented: "The Royal Mersey is proud of its traditions and long heritage while currently in the vanguard of imaginative and exciting Rock Ferry regeneration proposals.
"The club currently race three classes of modern and classic keelboats and is active in racing at both club and international levels. We are proud that his majesty is recognising this by his visit."
Last year the Royal Mersey Yacht Club hosted both the Northern and European championships for the international Etchells class.
Founded in 1844 the Royal Mersey has been active as the premier yacht club of Liverpool and Wirral throughout its history.
The club enjoys excellent sheltered waters on the Wirral side of the Mersey, where its vessels are kept on swinging moorings through the racing season.
A long slipway allows full access to the water no matter what the state of the tide.
Some 50 cruising vessels are owned by members.
