Pam guides female OAP crew to success

2:10pm Tuesday 7th August 2007

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WIRRAL sailors met with encouraging conditions for the most part during the first-half of the Menai Strait Fortnight after a season of very disappointing weather.

The West Kirby Falcons competed in the Beaumaris to Caernarvon race for the newly-presented Frank Jones Memorial Trophy.

Frank sailed and officiated at the Regattas for a number of decades and it was fitting his son Malcolm should be at the helm of the leading boat Harrier.

Other Falcon winners included Peter Evans in Hawkwind, John Corkhill in Aquilla and Commodore Andy Whittle aboard Lanner.

There was a popular success for veteran Pam Willcock and her female pensioner crew in the West Kirby Stars during the Royal Welsh Regatta at Caernarvon.

Pam brought Carina with a late challenge to pip Jupiter (David Mayhew).

But Jupiter did win on other days and there was also a first place for Juno (Richard Booth).

Meridian (Chris Kay) posted five successive victories in the Mersey Mylnes, while in the Hoylake Operas there were first places for Steve Stratton in Fidelio, Gavin Melling in La Tosca and Peter Jones in Carmen.

Roger Glover posted a hat-trick in the Hilbres in Highwayman, with other victories going to Gerald Riley in Highlight and John Hoppins in Hie.

Strong winds hit the Port Dinorwic Regatta on Sunday. Most crews gave it a miss and headed straight back to Beaumaris from Caernarvon. The Falcons did compete, with John Burthem leading the way in Hawk.

The Wallasey Seabirds join the action for the second half of the festival, which includes Regattas for West Kirby Sailing Club and Royal Mersey Yacht Club at Beaumaris today (Wednesday) and tomorrow.