GJW Direct Abersoch Dinghy Week 2016
by David Shiel 4 Aug 2016 10:55 BST
24-29 July 2016
The event held under the burgee of the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club promised to be big again and, with 163 entries across 11 fleets, the GJW Direct Abersoch Dinghy Week 2016 was certainly an event not to have been missed.
The largest fleets were the Solos (22 boats), Laser Radials (22 boats) and the intriguingly named TTMFO (Toppers, Teras, Mirrors, Fevas and "Other") with 24 boats – all 11 fleets enjoyed double digit entries and competitive racing. The weather was mixed all week which enabled the competitors to sail every day and the beach loungers to top up their sun tans. As at this time of year in Abersoch the morning fleets were generally overcast and windy but the afternoon fleets enjoyed a full week of champagne sailing with strong breezes and beating sunshine.
The social program was headlined by Abersoch's favourite band Elephant Juice, who played twice in the week much to the enjoyment of all who came along and danced the nights away. Competitors enjoyed a beach BBQ on Monday evening and there was a Treasure Hunt for the kids on Thursday.
The event concluded with a successful prize giving. Lots of sailors were lucky enough to win fantastic products from a general dinghy range and GJW Direct presented the Achievement Award to Charlie Ball from Rosendale Valley Sailing Club for being such an enthusiastic and deserving competitor who not only started sailing this year, but sailed every race, capsized every race and completed every race - no mean feat considering the breezy conditions. Charlie showed great spirit and just what Dinghy Week is all about.
GJW Direct Abersoch Dinghy Week Principle Race Officer (and SCYC's Commodore) Pete Richards said, "I am amazed at the number of entries with competitors coming from as near as Pwllheli and as far as the south coast. I would like to thank everyone for making it such a great event."
With this in mind jot down the 2017 date in your calendar: Registration, 22nd July 2016, Sailing, 23rd – 28th July 2017.
The full set of results can be found at www.scyc.co.uk
More Andy Green photos can be found at greensea.zenfolio.com/f995417459