WEST Lancashire Yacht Club’s Asymmetric Challenge did not get off to the best of starts earlier this month when a cloudy sky failed to produce any wind whatsoever.

Sixteen boats made their way to this dinghy event on Sunday, July 15, which is held especially for boats with Asymmetric spinnakers.

One articipant came from afar afield as the Yorkshire Dales and travelled all that way to take part in the four races held through the day.

After a quick briefing about the course and the race itself, competitors began the task of taking their boats to the sea.

Even though this handicap race was supposed to start at 11am pormpt, it was very long way for the owners to drag their boats to the water.

With this in mind, the first race started just slightly after 11am after the race officers insisting on waiting for a few of the stragglers to launch and ensure that the race remained fair.

Unfortunately, the wind was extremely light – not a particularly good thing in sailing, especially for the bigger, more demanding boats that require more wind.

Therefore, the smaller boats were able to keep up and secure a good place for the first race.

Meanwhile, the second race of the day was pretty similar to the first, with the wind and course favouring the smaller boats.

As the races went ahead, the wind gradually picked up and the third race started off with the sailors having to try slightly harder to keep their boats upright.

This improvement of the wind was welcomed by all the sailors. Even though the wind was only about a force 3, it had been the strongest gust all day.

Later on about 2.30pm, the last race got underway and the wind was now at a steady pace.

With the breeze increasing, the larger boats managed to pull away at the start fairly easily.

Even though they managed to get in front, this did not mean they would get good results.

Their handicap times would have to be calculated against the other boats at the end of the race, as with all the other races.

After a hardy day’s sailing, the event ended back at West Lancs Yacht Club where a meal of Caribbean chicken was followed by the best dish of the day – the prize-giving.

Sarah Hall, of West Lancs Yacht Club, said: All feedback from competitors regarding the event have been very positive and so this event will continue to run each year.”

Results: 1st RS400 R.Marsh + H.Marsh Elton Sailing Club; 2nd RS500 M.Smith + B.Smith Yorkshire Dales SC; 3rd 49er C.Pickles + M.Sharman Delph Sailing Club.