Abersoch Keelboat Week 2010
Review by Mike Crompton sailing Xpletive.
The South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club once again hosted a great weeks racing for 45 Keel Boats and managed to provide truly worthy winners of the North Wales IRC Championship.
A mixture of Windward Leeward, Olympic and Coastal courses were sailed in varying wind strengths with one day lost due to high winds.
IRC 1 was dominated by the magnificent Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, WISC helmed by her owner Glynn Williams and a crew of family friends and assorted Hamble specialists who all appeared to have enjoyed their holiday in Abersoch. WISC was closely pursued by Richard Fildes on Impetuous from SCYC who finished 2 nd overall. 3 rd was another visitor from Holyhead Sailing Club Richard Calverley and crew who were regularly snapping at the heels of the first 2 in their very well sailed Elan 37.
IRC 2 was also won by a visiting crew who trailed their Impala from Whitby and managed to keep the brand new Corby 25 Will to Win, Will Partington and the equally shiny AC 31 Imadjin Stratton/Hewitson form the Clyde behind them. This class was very closely fought and there were several boats in the points but Stuart Lockwood and his team of Rugby playing Pole dancers were always the boat to beat.
A new fleet in 2010 was the very welcome return of the Sigma 33's who mustered 7 boats on the start line and a class start was awarded. Racing one design is always a good fun and the Sigma fleet appeared to enjoy their fleet status and I feel sure that as the word spreads more boats will be entering in 2011.Several boats had race wins but the most consistent was Sable sailed by Matthew Wild who finally discarded a pair of 2 nd places to secure overall victory. 2 nd overall was Ignatious Tim Fantom and 3 rd place was won by the new family teams of Cope/Lee/Price who counted 2 race wins in their series and will undoubtedly be a boat to beat in the future. The Two visitors from Liverpool were very welcome and made a big impact both on and off the water and will hopefully return in 2011.
The Gentlemen White Sails had a new twist with a spinnaker class in 2010 after requests from competitors! The Spinnaker group only sailed one race per day and this year the Pandora, Dark and Stormy, sailed by Paul Johnson and Mel ably assisted by Dad Alan proved too hot to handle and won all the races they sailed. Runners up were Chancer Geoff Clarke and family and 3 rd place went to Rod Thompson in his Beneteau 211. The final category of Gents White sails was won by Wild Thyme, Hancox and Stephenson, whose crew of assorted grandchildren sailed well all week. 2 nd place was the local sailing schools Hunter 707 sailed by Mike Maylor and 3 rd the Webbers in their Beneteau All that Jazz.
Off the water the social calendar had live music, karaoke, a nautical quiz plus fabulous food and drinks from SCYC. In addition the RNLI safety team had a bumper session of lifejacket safety checks one afternoon in the sunshine. Daily race sponsors included Spar, Tu Mewn, Pannone, Partington Marine & Hafan Pwllheli who additionally provided “in it to win it “prizes each day. Wombat clothing continued their support including supply of event t-shirts and new sponsor Robinsons Brewery commissioned a special brew for the week called Starboard Tack. With local boat brokers Boatshed.com supporting the course cards and sponsors day, plus Totally Abersoch taking photographs, we had a fantastic week with the sponsors, culminating in a day on the water to watch the racing. The Abersoch Keelboat Week Committee would like to thank the generous sponsors and the team of volunteers who help make this a magnificent sailing week.
We look forward to seeing more boats next year 22-26 th August at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club.
For Further information call the Race Office 07783 690217
Andy Green was once again out on the water with his camera. To view & purchase his shots, please go here.
For further information please email here
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