IT IS Wilson Trophy time again.

West Kirby Sailing Club host the prestigious British Team Racing Championship starting at 1pm this Friday and concluding late afternoon on Sunday.

The action in Firefly dinghies on the Marine Lake will come thick and fast with thirty two teams taking part and over 350 races planned.

West Kirby present a three-strong challenge for the title with their teams under the guise of WKSC, West Kirby Wild Cats and the Hilbre Highlanders.

Wessex Exempt defend the trophy they won last year with victory in a contentious final against the Grafham Gorillas who are not here this time round.

The event was first staged in 1949 and has grown in stature ever since.

America have two teams in the line-up and there are three from Ireland. There will also be a strong University representation.

Each team sails three of the two man dinghies. There will be a round robin system of races before the top eight teams contest the knock-out quarter finals starting in the early afternoon on the last day.

It is quite a challenge for the officials including “on the water” umpires let alone the competitors and it is to be hoped the weather is favourable.

There is no charge for spectators who can watch the action from a grandstand at the south end of the lake.