The very first WLYC 24 Hour Race in 1967

As the fiftieth race approaches we have been feeling decidedly nostalgic at West Lancashire Yacht Club and have asked our members to empty their attics and get those little grey cells working so those of us who are too young can imagine what it must have been like to sail in the very first race.

Luckily for us a careful member has squirrelled away a detailed analysis of the first race, which was written shortly after. We hope you will enjoy reading the details as much as we have!

We hope you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane. If you were there in 1967 we would love to see you on the weekend of 18th and 19th of September, come and have a drink to celebrate with us. If you are far too young like me, come and see us and raise a glass to 50 years young in 2016-that can't be bad. If you sailed don't forget the special race on Saturday for competitors from 1967 and a prize for the leading club who competed in 1967. For more information please go to www.wlyc.org.uk

Apologies to Bolton Sailing Club who I incorrectly stated won the WLYC 24 Hour Race 11 times when in fact it is 14: 1970, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2007. Nine years since the last win in 2007, perhaps 2016 will be your year again?

For all of this information and more please go to www.wlyc.org.uk where the Notice of Race for this year's special race is available, or 'like' our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

Old friends of the Race or new entrants... if you want to enter we will be sailing Enterprises, GP14s, Larks and Firefly in this year's race so come and join us for surely what promises to be a highlight in the dinghy sailing calendar for 2016, put the 17th/18th September in your diary today! We look forwards to welcoming you.

Alex Halliwell

(Reprinted from Yachts & Yachting)