Gul Fireball World Championships at Plas Heli - It's a brand new day
by Dougal Henshall 23 Aug 2015 13:43 BST
17-28 August 2015
Gul Fireball World Championship Opening Ceremony with the Caernarfon Male Voice Choir © David Henshall
Good morning world it's a brand new day
Well, that are the song lyrics from 1970, but whilst the rest of the UK basks in the August sunshine (and it refuses to rain to save our embattled cricket team at the Oval) the far North West of Wales has been lashed by some severe rain shows. Those competitors at the Gul Fireball World Championships who were lucky enough to be in a camper van were woken by the sound of heavy rain drumming on the roof; spare a thought for the many who were sheltering under canvas.
Although by 9am the rain had eased, the forecast is for more, lots more, as with light to 10kt South Westerly breezes, once the wet stuff starts again, it will take an age to blow clear.
All this inclement weather is in total contrast to the warmth of the welcome given to the competitors at the opening ceremony for the World Championships last night. Jez White, upon whose shoulders so much of the planning and delivery of this event has rested, spoke briefly about the time, some three years ago, when he took the decision to bring the event to Pwllheli. Next up was Bob Lowe, Commodore of Pwllheli Sailing Club and Vice Chairman of the Plas Heli complex. Bob delivered an unashamedly partisan speech, but then he had the proof of just how good Plas Heli is spread out around him. The central feature at Plas Heli was packed with competitors and spectators, as was the first floor balcony, all of which seemed to be enjoying themselves. After the formal greeting from the Mayor, Steve Chesney, Commodore of Fireball International spoke about the enduring qualities of the boat and how some much of the attraction of the boat is based around having fun. The talky bits over, the new 30 minutes were given over to a stunning, at times moving performance by the award winning Caernarfon Male Voice choir. Despite the enticing smells of the waiting food wafting from the back of the hall, the richness of the singing held the audience spellbound. No matter which country you came from in the world, you know knew that you were in Wales, truly the land of song.
With the food rapidly hoovered up, proceedings continued in the bar and it wasn't long that the extra lubrication of the throats up there meant that the singing restarted. The word here is Croeso – welcome in Welsh and Plas Heli are to be congratulated for delivery a genuine welsh welcome to the 110 competitors.
Now it is down to business and the first two races of the Championships.
With his team now well up to speed, PRO Peter Saxton is confident that even with a line length of some 720m, he will work at getting the fleet away. Once again though he will be strict on the fairness of the competition – he and the Race Committee don't do freebie, either the whole fleet start fairly or they can come back and do it all again until they do. Peter has a Plan B that includes changing to a Gate Start, but for that to happen a decision would be made before 8pm the evening before, so for today it will be line starts for both races.
The first sails are now going up, and with just 2 ½ hours to the first start, there is a real sense of purpose in the dinghy park.
YachtsandYachting.com will be following the action for out afloat today, a full report on the racing today, with pictures, will be posted later.
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