My second visit to West Kirby...but my first time of 'trying' to sail in the strongest winds I had ever experienced.  It also my first time ever of seeing so many tiny boards and also my first time of seeing so many exalted speedsailors.  

My attempts were pretty much limited to the lulls in the wind but even then the bear off seemed pretty scary and I found myself instictively sailing with the brake on.   Self preservation I guess!

Congratulations to all those that sailed and I now see how the big boys earn their medals.