Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

North West Senior Travellers at Elton Sailing Club

by Dave Woodhead 4 Oct 2018 11:22 UTC 2 October 2018
North West Senior Travellers at Elton © Dave Scott

The final event of the 2018 North West Senior Travellers took place at a breezy Elton Sailing Club on Tuesday 2nd October.

This series is for the over 50s and consists of seven open meetings at seven neighbouring clubs in South Lancashire / Greater Manchester. Each meeting takes place on a Tuesday and is largely aimed at the retired / semi retired, although a few youngsters in their early 50s take a day off work to attend. Now in its 8th year the series is as popular as ever with 62 boats from 14 clubs taking part in one or more events.

Before the first race at Elton Ian Jones from Dovestone S C sailing a Laser held a narrow lead in the series over Mark Platt from Bolton SC in a Supernova. Just behind them was Richard Catchpole from Leigh and Lowton sailing a Solo. However Ian had taken himself off to European Laser event and Mark was unable to make it.

This left Richard with a narrow window of opportunity to take the series providing he could get three top results on the day. It was obvious that Richard meant business! In very gusty conditions which saw a few mast heads touching the water he won the first race and the scene was set for a victory. The second race went to Tony Critchley in a supernova but Richard got a crucial second place.

The third race saw some of the strongest gusts and the opposition melted away whilst Richard stayed in perfect control and clinched the race and the series. With extra results to count Mark Platt leap frogged Ian Jones to maintain second overall whilst Ian having dominated the first four events slipped to third. Fourth overall was the ever consistent Andy Flitcroft in another Supernova from Bolton S C and the top five was completed by Dave Woodhead in a Solo form Elton.

A special trophy for the first double hander went to the Enterprise of David Thomas and Shan Stapely from Gresford S C. The Grand Master trophy (over 70) went to Malcolm Jones form Elton in a Solo. The club prize for the top 3 boats from any club went to Bolton S C,, the 3 Supernovas of Mark Platt, Andy Flitcroft and Tony Critchley were always to be found at the front of the fleet.

Other regions have been encouraged to take up the idea of this series which involves minimal travel and costs whilst making use of idle sailing clubs mid week. Next year a similar series is being planned in Cumbria. The only down side is having to negotiate rush hour traffic instead of the normally empty roads on Saturdays and Sundays. However one can feel quite smug sat at traffic lights knowing that those around you are going to work whilst you are going sailing!

The full results for 2018 are also available on the RYA north west web site were the details of the 2019 series will also be available. early next year. Any enquiries about the series please email Dave Woodhead at

Related Articles

Elton Solo Open
Final event of the 2024 Northern Series The final open of the season was held at the weekend, with a few key people missing it was going to be an exciting event. Posted on 17 Oct
Streaker Northerns at Elton
The top three helms from the Nationals amongst the visitors Arriving at Elton Sailing Club for the Streaker Northerns, it was immediately apparent that this was going to be a super-competitive event, with the top three helms from the Nationals amongst the visitors rigging their boats for the day's racing. Posted on 20 Oct 2023
2023 NW Senior Traveller Series Final at Elton
Now in its twelfth year this series is run at 7 different North West clubs for the over 50s Now in its twelfth year this series is run at 7 different North West clubs for the over 50s and remains a popular series amongst retired folk and those that can take a day off work. Posted on 27 Sep 2023
North West Senior Travellers at Elton
Bolton SC win club prize as series conclues in nearby Bury It was another windless day at Elton resulting in a delayed start although things did improve slightly in the afternoon. The overall winner was last years series winner Mark Platt in his Supernova from Bolton Sailing Club. Posted on 8 Sep 2022
Streakers at Elton
The smell of bacon sandwiches filled the car park on arrival The forecast of rain and no wind was not that good for the Streaker End of Season Event at Elton SC on the 19th October. This was also the final round of the North Sails sponsored Northern Paddle Series with overall positions still to be decided. Posted on 25 Oct 2019
Enterprise Top Helm Series at Elton
Cold with a a gusty F4-6 The first open meeting of the Enterprise Top Helm Series held at Elton Sailing Club. The weather was cold as the wind was from the north east and with a gusty force four to six. Posted on 2 Apr 2018
North West Senior Traveller Series
Conclusion held at Elton Sailing Club The North West Senior Traveller Series recently came to a conclusion on a blustery Tuesday at Elton SC. This mid week series for the over 50s, now in its seventh season, has once more enjoyed another successful year with over 40 boats taking part. Posted on 14 Oct 2017
Streakers at Elton
Northern Paddle Series round 4 Round 4 of the Streaker Northern Paddle Series saw 6 visitors join the very buoyant fleet of 12 home Streakers at Elton Sailing Club enjoy a day of very friendly racing. Posted on 26 May 2017
NW Senior Travellers Finale at Elton
It has never come down to the final race before The seventh and final round of the 2016 NW Senior Travellers took place at Elton SC on Tuesday the 4th October. Now in its sixth year this mid week series for the over 50s remains as popular as ever with 53 boats taking part in one or more event. Posted on 6 Oct 2016
OnBoard 8 Hour Race at Hollingworth Lake
Report from the Elton's Got Talent team On a sunny Saturday morning team 'Elton's got talent' arrived at Hollingworth lake for the OnBoard 8 hour race. The team comprised of Lauren Hoarty (12 yrs), Alex Lowery (12 yrs), Robert Ramshaw (13 yrs) and George Williams (8 yrs). Posted on 16 Jun 2016
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER