Maryport's ninth annual trawler race may have had a difficult start but its eventual success confirmed that the event will continue.

The race was postponed in May due to stormy weather and strong winds, which put a dampener on harbourside activities including a fun fair and large continental market.

Trying to find a suitable new date meant there was little time to advertise, but organiser Gary Hampson said he was delighted with the number of trawlers and the public who turned out on Saturday.

“There was not as big a crowd as usual but there was a crowd,” he said.

“We had 10 trawlers taking part – one from Whitehaven, one from the Isle of Man and the rest from Maryport.

“Considering the short amount of notice, I am delighted by the success of this year’s event and now it is onward and upward to the 10th trawler race next year!”

Mr Hampson said a stiff breeze made conditions “challenging, but certainly more manageable than they would have been in May”.

He said he was grateful to the sponsors who assured the future of a race which was rare around the British coast.

He added: “I believe we are only one of three or four such events in the UK and we could not do it without the support of our sponsors, who include Cavendish Nuclear, my employers, Forth Engineering in Flimby, Derwent Fluid Power, MPM Marine, Maryport Town Council and Maryport Navy Club.”

Prizes were presented by Maryport mayor Linda Radcliffe at a function at the navy club.

This year a special prize was awarded to “the bravest but stupidest crew”, which was won by the Euphoria with skipper Norman Watson, of Maryport. The small, open-topped vessel gallantly took part in what was a rough and windy race and every crew member returned to harbour soaked to the skin.

Other results were:

Race winners: 1. Chilaris, with skipper Shaun Humphreys. 2. Stjerne, with skipper Eric Agnew. 3. Balcary, with Shaun Poland.

Best dressed trawler: Stjerne’s Pink, for Breast Cancer Research. Best dressed crew: Alauna, skipper Sid Miller. Best visiting boat: Venture Again, skipper Michael Inglesfield, from Isle of Man.