Hywel Poole Memorial Race at Port Dinorwic Sailing Club
by Alan Williams 16 Jul 2014 14:45 BST
12 July 2014
Hywel Poole Memorial Race 2014 © Alan Williams
The second edition of the Hywel Poole memorial race was held at Port Dinorwic Sailing Club on Saturday the 12th July, where everyone came together to remember a dear friend Hywel, who was a RAF pilot who was tragically killed in a Tornado accident in Scotland 2 years ago.
There was a large medium and fast handicap fleet who were greeted with an ebbing tide and a gusty 15kt SSW wind combined with occasional drizzle.
Dave and Elaine Jones in their rusty RS800 took an early lead on port tack, after ducking a lot of the fleet, closely followed by Rowan Edwards and Daniel Blight, and Huw Edwards and Josh Dawson in their respective 29ers.
The fleet then sailed upwind past Caernarfon Castle and onto Abermenai and the entrance of the Menai Strait. In a straight line it was more than 6 miles upwind, and it was a lot further allowing for the wind.
The windward mark was one of the red Laser class marks from the London Olympics, the Jones' 800 arrived first after 45 minutes, and then hurtled off downwind, followed by the 29ers which were expertly sailed and hanging on in there.
Then the hiking crowd arrived with trembling legs, which was led by Alistair and Greg in RS100s and Andy Long & June Riley in an RS400, followed by the 400 of Richard Roberts & John Jones, Paul Green's Contender (trapezing, not hiking), and the 400 being sailed by Gordon Bennell & Gareth Henshall.
The 4 Hornets were having a good tussle, and were followed by the 420 sailed by Ratty Morsely and Hannah. The other 420 sailed by Iago and Gethin forgot about the current and went a long way past the windward mark...excuse me aren't you in a squad?
Then the 200s, Miracles and Solos arrived and the final boat around the windward mark was the Feva sailed by Iwan Rees Jones and Mirren Haywood.
The fleet made off downwind to a windward-leeward loop off Plas Menai with a final blast thrown in to the finish line at Port Dinorwic. There were a few capsizes and perhaps the best was from Richard Roberts and John Jones who tried to conceal their capsize with a rapid righting...however they were spotted and won 'capsize of the day'.
The RS800 took just 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the course while the Feva took 3 hours to complete their shortened course - well done to the Feva team for continuing all the way to the finish - a great effort.
The slow handicap fleet had a shorter course rounding a windward mark off Plas Menai before returning to the open line finish, the slow handicap fleet was dominated by Molly Wright followed by Annabelle and Shiela. A special mention should be made of Jack and Ffion Bailey, Sasha and Leah who did a great job getting around the course.
After the racing Hywels' mother Denise and father Mike gave out the fantastic prizes which had been generously donated by, Optimum Time, Waitrose, Force4 Chandlery (thanks Billy), and Funky Starfish for T shirts and bags.
Then we had a buffet (thank you to Lou) an auction of pictures (thanks Moley) and finished off with a bonfire.
Thanks also to Richard and Hillary Date the race officers, and everyone who helped with safety including Welsh Sailing, the Edward's, bride to be 'Kate' and John, and Issy who was Welsh national sailing coach when Hywel was in the national sailing squads.
Thanks to Tim Hall and Dave Jones for all their help organising the day.
The Hywel Pool Memorial Fund is now finally opened- the first donation was from the National Westminster Bank, and this event raised nearly £800 which will be used to provide support for those training to be watersports instructors.
Donations can be made to the fund which is held at Plas Menai National Watersports Centre and administered by Hywel's mother, Tim Hall and Alan Williams.
Fast Handicap results:
1. RS800 - Dave and Elaine Jones
2. 29er - Rowan Edwards and Daniel Blight
3. RS100 - Alistair Dickson
4. 29er – Huw Edwards and Josh Dawson
5. RS100 – Greg Booth
6. RS400 - Andy and June
Slow Handicap results:
1. Topper – Molly Wright
2. Optimist - Annabelle P-Jones
3. Topper - Sheila Bennell