Model yachting crews sail to trophy success

Fleetwood has enjoyed some sterling success in model yachting.
John Brooks (left) and Derek Priestley, of Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club,  with their winning yacht and cup after success at Gosport, Hampshire.John Brooks (left) and Derek Priestley, of Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club,  with their winning yacht and cup after success at Gosport, Hampshire.
John Brooks (left) and Derek Priestley, of Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club, with their winning yacht and cup after success at Gosport, Hampshire.

Members of the Fleetwood Model Yacht and Power Boat Club landed some glittering silverware after excelling in a prestigious national event in Gosport, Hampshire.

Club president Derek Priestley and John Brooks skippered their boat to victory in the Yachting Monthly Cup while competing in the Model Yachting Association’s (MYA) National Championships for vane-steered “A” Class yachts.

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And the duo’s victory with their yacht, which is called Two Old Rockers, wasn’t the only Fleetwood success.

The event overall winner was David Bell, assisted by his mother Margaret, who won for the second time..

Although born in Wales and representing Llandudno Model Yacht Club, David is the son of Fleetwood man Alan Bell, best known for his involved in the former Fylde Folk Festival.

Alan himself finished fifth, and the Bell family built the carbon fibre yachts themselves, from a design by Fleetwood club member John Simpson, who is one of the country’s top model yacht designers.

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John Brooks said: “It was really pleasing to win the Yachting Monthly Cup with Derek and it was also good to see David Bell’s success, with his strong Fleetwood links.

“Our club is still making an impact at a national level and I would like to thank Wyre Council for their excellent work in maintaining the model yacht lake. They keep it in very good condition and that helps us a great deal, especially when it comes to hosting our own events.”

Next year the National Championships are scheduled to return to Fleetwood and the club has also been requested to hold MYA National Championships for Radio Controlled classes of “Marblehead” as well as “10-Rater” yachts.

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