Pirates set to hold Blue Riband individual meeting for first time since 2016
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THE Pirates showcase individual meeting, the Blue Riband, is set to return for the first time since 2016.
First launched in 1970, the event will return on Wednesday, September 24, with the full Pirates seven set to compete, along with nine other riders, with the full lineup yet to be confirmed.
Last time the meeting was held, Edward Kennett edged out Scott Nicholls in a run off nine years ago.
But the management have decided to stage the meeting once again for the 32nd time.
Promoter Danny Ford said: “We are working on the invitations currently by want this to be a tough meeting to win.
“There have been some notable names on the honours board for the Blue Riband and it is great to be able to run the event again this year.
“With the gap in the fixture list having run our home legs of the KO Cup and the BSN Series it is the perfect time for us to run this showcase event.
“I can confirm that our regular seven riders are all included in the line-up and over the course of the next few days we anticipate confirming the full sixteen man field.
“Tickets for the event are now on sale via the ticket portal on our website."
Previous Blue Riband winners:
1970 - Barry Briggs
1971 - Ole Olsen
1972 - Ray Wilson
1973 - Anders Michanek
1974 - Ole Olsen
1975 - Malcolm Simmons
1976 - Malcolm Simmons
1977 - Malcolm Simmons
1978 - Malcolm Simmons
1979 - Bobby Schwartz
1980 - Dave Jessup
1981 - Bruce Penhall
1982 - Bobby Schwartz
1983 - Erik Gundersen
1984 - Mitch Shirra
1985 - Stan Bear
1986 - Kevin Smith
1987 - Mel Taylor
1988 - Steve Schofield
1989 - Steve Schofield
1990 - Chris Louis
1991 - Marvyn Cox
1992 - Mitch Shirra
1994 - Lars Gunnestad
1995 - Lars Gunnestad
1996 - Lars Gunnestad
1997 - Craig Boyce
1998 - Jimmy Nilsen
2001 - Tony Rickardsson
2013 - Darcy Ward
2016 - Edward Kennett