AS Winsford Flash Sailing Club prepares for the new season Bill Webber has laid a marker buoy for the standard others must aim for.
He ended 2004 as Wins-ford's top helmsman and the old season was officially brought to a close by the annual awards, in which Webber was the main recipient.
He sails a Comet class dinghy and won the spring, autumn and season trophies.
Webber also won the Snipe Gossamer Plate, awarded to the most successful helm in major open meetings, and also the Force Eight Trophy to the winner of the All Class Points Championship.
Other winners on the night were: Albacore - Ken Aryton and Mike Banner; Enterprise - Bill Gover and Mark George; GP14 - John Close; Laser - Jonathan Latham and Mike Hallsworth; RS200 - Paul Plested; Topper - Hugh Sowley, Andrew Dawson and Chris Simpson, who are all juniors; Comet - Brian Herring and Catherine Bellamy.
Individual trophies: Beginners Cup, Hugh Sowley; Club Handicap Trophy, Porter Cup and Handicap Trophy Day, Paul Lennie; Personal Handicap Trophy, Mike Banner; Pursuit Trophy, Tom Mitchell and Kate Billinge; Ladies Trophy and Endeavour Trophy, Ros Stevenson; Junior Trophy, Catherine Bellamy; Optimist Cup, Megan Thorpe; GP Family Cup, Paul & Alison Stockbridge; Wednesday Handicap Mike Banner; Winter Series, Stuart Holman; Most Improved Helm Steve Dawson; Most Improved Crew, Kerry Plested; Vale Royal Mayor's Trophy for enthusiast, Isabelle Sowley; Winsford Paddle for the most spectacular capsize, Malcolm Friar and Phil Duggan.
The club is launching a recruitment drive as the new season nears.
Sails will be raised competitively at Easter and the club stages an open day on May 14, it has have issued an open invitation to anyone inspired by Ellen MacArthur's record-breaking adventure to try the sport at its most basic level.
Press officer Ros Stephenson points out: 'We are on the Bottom Flash and it is one of the most picturesque parts of Cheshire.
'We have a superb clubhouse, a variety of boats and can cater for all levels from absolute beginner to experienced sailors.
'There is a perception sailing is expensive and we can dispel that myth.'
It will cost a would-be sailor nothing to try the sport, while their first dinghy would cost about only £200.
The season runs until mid-October and Winsford have a second open day planned for September.
But newcomers are welcome now and anyone wishing for further details can call secretary Helen Walsh on 01606 551344 or can visit the website www.winsfordflash .co.uk.
