The Royal Visit came after a week of intensive early evening keelboat racing on the River Mersey for the classic Mersey Mylne, National Squib and International Etchells Classes.

With the wind direction coming from the east for four of the five races, it gave the fleets the opportunity to race across the River from Rock Ferry towards the Liverpool shore at Riverside Drive rounding either the Dingle or G1(Garston Channel) buoys and then back across the Mersey to the Wirral shore rounding Bromborough buoy. Some races were sailed in winds of forces 3 and 4 provided superb sailing for crews; Mersey River racing at its best.