The 65th Wilson Trophy was marked by high winds and innumerable cups of tea as competitors and umpires waited for suitable sailing conditions. Sailing was delayed on Friday afternoon, and with average wind speeds of 27 knots, plus 35 knot gusts, there was no racing on Sunday.
Howth Yacht Club were among a strong Irish representation at this year’s Wilson Trophy. Lynn Reilly, Simon Rattigan, Geoff Tait, Freya Macken, Daragh O’Connor and Emma Geary represented HYC in what is widely held as the best, and toughest team racing event in the world.
The 2013 British Open Team Racing Championship for the Wilson Trophy was won by Wessex Exempt on Sunday in a thrilling best of five final sailed on West Kirby’s marine lake. The six sailors overcame stiff competition from 34 teams from as far afield as America, Ireland and across the UK, eventually meeting Grafham Gorillas in the tense final round of the three-day event.
Less than 24 hours remain until the start of this year’s British Open Team Racing Championship for the Wilson Trophy (3-5 May). At 12 noon on Friday, all eyes will turn to West Kirby’s Marine Lake to see if home team and current Team Racing World Champions, West Kirby Hawks, can defend their 2012 Wilson win against 200 other top sailors, amongst them, 2012 Olympic 470 silver medallists, Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell.
Two Olympic silver medallists are set to take on West Kirby Sailing Club’s home team plus other top teams from across the UK, USA and Ireland, as the world’s largest team racing event, the British Open Team Racing Championship for the Wilson Trophy, is hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club over Bank Holiday weekend (3-5 May).