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The world's premier team racing event takes place on the marine lake in West Kirby this coming weekend.
A total of 34 teams from around the globe will compete for the 77th Wilson Trophy overlooking the Dee estuary from Friday 8 - Sunday 10 May.
Around 300 races are run over the duration of the competition, typically lasting 8 – 10 minutes round a short course in colour coordinated boats with three boats on each team, manoeuvring to get their team into a winning combination of 10 points or less.
Organisers say that the discipline really pushes all the sailing skills, as to win you need to excel at boat speed, boat handling, starting, tactics, rules and teamwork.
West Kirby Sailing Club Commodore, Chris Gatenby, said: "The world’s best team racing event clearly has no intention of getting any smaller and the standard keeps getting better.
"On the water, expect the usual standard of excellence; fast, fierce, and tactical racing. Off the water, the social programme is every bit as polished, chaotic, and unforgettable as tradition demands."
Last year's winners, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club from the USA, return to defend their title. There are also several other US teams along with some from Ireland and many from Great Britain, including local hopefuls West Kirby Sailing Club, West Kirby Hawks and Royal Dee.
Event Director Kathryn Sandall said: "After months of planning, along with some sleepless nights, I’m excited for the Wilson to be here and to be seeing
some familiar faces as well as meeting some new ones too.
"To all competitors; sail fast, play fair, and try not to capsize directly in front of the committee boat. To everyone else; enjoy the spectacle, the sunshine (we hope), and the glorious madness that is the Wilson Trophy."
The event was originally known as The North West Firefly Championships, but changed its name in 1953 in honour of Billy Wilson, a much loved, one-time commodore of West Kirby Sailing Club.
