Albacore Internationals at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Days 1 & 2
by Mike Banner 6 Aug 2013 08:41 BST
3-9 August 2013
The Albacore Internationals is under way at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club in Abersoch this week with an impressive 50 boats including four from North America. The event includes the UK Nationals and has received generous support from Noble Marine Insurance, URENCO and local brewery Purple Moose. The fleet all race together although there are gold and silver fleet prizes.
Day 1
At the briefing, principal race officer Chris Hoppins welcomed the fleet to SCYC as the event flag hung onto the flag pole in a gusty Force 4. By the time the boats had reached the race area they had already enjoyed a spray filled reach through some quite big waves. The traditional practice race was binned following a recall with half the fleet deciding to sail on with the other half returning fort here-start.
Following a number of recalls for Race 1 the black flag came out and the race was underway. Nev Herbert and Mark Fowler noticed the left shift and port tacked the fleet to take an early lead that hey never surrendered though chased by second-place George Carter and Tony Zakrajsek. The wind and waves were now joined by some heavy rain which made spotting the windward mark quite difficult.
The conditions claimed around 15 retirements including a cracked centre board, a ripped main and a number of cuts and bruises. With this in mind the PRO decided to postpone the second race until the following day and the fleet screamed back to shore to enjoy the Commodore's reception.
Day 2
The rain was still present but the wind had dropped with a postponement allowing the fleet some shopping and coffee time. With three races to fit in the Albacores were thankfull that the wind had built to another F4 by the time racing started however the windward mark looked (and was!)a long slog in the short chop that had been kicked up the NW breeze.
Race 2 was a much tighter affair with Rob Lynne and Steve Graham holding off a North American challenge from George closely followed by the UK wife and husband team of Judy and Paul Armstrong. Unfortunately Rob damaged his knee in a gybing duel and had to retire form the next two races for treatment.
For Race 3 the PRO introduced the classic Olympic course and this saw current International Champion Barney Harris with David Byron take the gun with Neville second and Michael McNamara crewed by Flip Foulds in third. Some of the reaches were spectacularly wet!
In Race 4 with all the sailors getting tired the sun came out and there was again some close tactical racing. Neville took his second bullet followed by Barney and Michael.
The fleet sailed back to shore under blue skies ready for a beer on the deck of SCYC where the class AGM was held outdoors for the first time.
Racing continues throughout the week with generally lighter winds forecast and all to play for in the Championships. Full race results can be found here thanks to the very efficient SCYC team.