THE high winds on Windermere which kept many fleets ‘at anchor’ this week did not stop The Royal Windermere Yacht Club’s Flying Fifteens from competing in the aptly named West Wind Trophy in the South Lake on Saturday.

Amongst the competitors was club member and current world champion Steve Goacher, who saw the testing weather conditions as an excellent way to prepare for the forthcoming 2019 World Championships which are to be held in Dublin next month.

Conditions were challenging to say the least, with strong south westerly winds gusting up to 29 mph with Goacher and crewman Tim Harper competing in part of the race as they tested sails.

‘Niffty, ’ sailed by the dynamic father and son duo of Nigel Tullett at the helm and Gavin Tullett as crew, was first home.

Second place went to 'Factor Fifteen,’ helmed by Frank Kelly and crewed by Michelle Kay, while in third place was ‘Floozie,’ helmed by Adam Cowley.

However, owing to those continued high winds, the Windermere Class 17 Foot fleet did not race on Saturday, nor could the dinghies or the Flying Fifteens race on Sunday as the windy conditions persisted.

The club’s Flying Fifteens now turn their attention to those World Championships in Dublin.

This bi-annual event commences on Monday, September 2 with the three day Irish National Championships.

The World Championships themselves commence on Friday, September 5 with the Royal Windermere Yacht Club represented by Goacher and Harper and also by Dave Heron and Chris Ducker.

A total of 76 boats have entered the championships with entrants from the UK and Ireland taking on boats from Canada, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand.

And all eyes will be on Goacher as he sets about defending the title he won in New Zealand in 2017.