TOP yachtsmen are set to make a splash at Preston Marina in one of the country's top sailing competitions.

Sailors including Irish Olympic champion Marshall King are coming up North for the second year to take part in the Fort Match Racing Trophy this Bank Holiday weekend.

The contest has been going for years but always in the South - however last year's success means a return to Preston and a treat for spectators.

Russ Sanderson, a member of Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club who are organising the event, said: "It's very good for spectators to watch, there were quite a few people down last year. It's a way of getting people round here involved in the sport. In the first week of September the European Championships are being held in Troon so it's a good chance for them to drop in to Preston on their way up to Scotland.

"There's some very, very good people racing this year. It should be a good event."

In what is called soling, teams will race each other's 27ft vessels in head-to-heads and try to defeat their opponents by making them break yachting rules.

The contest starts on Saturday (August 23) and goes right through to Monday. Admission is free for spectators.

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