Mailspeed Regatta at Pwllheli Sailing Club

In parallel with running the Optimist World Qualifiers, the Mailspeed Regatta opened the seasons racing at Pwllheli, and brought the appearance of the two new X35’s of Mike Budd (Nexus) and Mike Crompton (Xpletive2). Stephen Tudor also changed boats opting for the J92. Poppy, the Contessa 33, returned from a winters racing on the Mersey displaying fine speed, and the Corby 25 (Wil 2 Win) of Wil Williams and Wil Partington hoping to begin the season where they had left off. The 3 day regatta combined 3 formats – ‘round the cans’, windward-leewards, and Olympics, with IRC, Sportsboat and PYS classess from mass starts.

Day 1 opened with classic Llyn peninsula sunshine, with a slight haze obscuring the mountains of Snowdonia, and wind speeds of 10-14kts. First race of the season starting from the shore bridge gave a great spectacle to those on the beach, with the fleet clear, it was Nexus that led the assault to the first mark, closely followed by Xpeltive. The X35’s set the pace, heading out on the starboard side of the course, with Quango (707) the first to take the port side, followed by the J92, Poppy; and Wil 2 Win uncharacteristically towards the rear of the fleet. A radically altered rig proved the aid old adage – ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. The steady winds allowed all to settle in to the season without too much drama, the IRC race belonging to the new X35’s and J92 Just Enough; the sportsboats won by Converting Machine; and Scallywag o Llyn.

A dune fire brought entertainment between races, as the crews enjoyed the sunshine, and suffered for it later. The X35’s continued to show their pace in the light airs with Nexus taking line honours from Xpletive, with Wil 2 Win back in touch having made the necessary adjustments. Converting Machine continued what was to be a very consistent performance throughout the weekend, with Hoi Yin second. Day 2 brought the forecast increase in winds, peaking at 28kts during the day, and also a keenness to win which saw the first general recall as the fleet underestimated the tide effect. Xpletive, Wil 2 Win, and Converting Machine welcomed the recall having narrowly avoided collision in the heavy seas. The restart was clean, as the fleet headed west towards the windward mark off Llanbedrog Head. The fleet began to spread out, and on the second lap as numerous boats broached, Hoi Yin, the Cork 1720 of Dave Miles collapsed their mast. Satisfaction (J Collins) went to assistance along with the club RIB. Quango, the Hunter 707 lost helm John Sparrow overboard for a brief spell, but recovered to finish second in the sportsboats. Wil 2 Win picked up its first win of the IRC series proving it was still a serious challenge to the X35’s.

Race 4 brought more drama as the winds continued to build. The Cork of Dave Cummerford (Converting Machine) broached at the windward hitch mark, whilst ahead the X35’s were having fun rolling in the increasing winds, and all experiencing the challenging gybes. Xpletive then blew the kite at the drop ending an expensive days sailing. The second lap then saw James Evans’s 1720 (Gwylan) and Wil 2 Win approach the windward mark together, with Gwylan snagging the drag-buoy for the mark during the bear-away. Unable to free it, Gwylan sailed clear taking the mark with them. Nexus returned to winning ways, with Wil 2 Win keeping up the pressure.

Converting Machine leading the pack in the sportsboat division with Scallywag picking up two firsts in PYS.

The final race of the day was a single lap, welcomed by all after a great days racing in superb but challenging conditions.

Battered from the previous days sailing, and the evenings entertainment the crews returned for the final 2 races with wind speeds initially 13kts, but increasing through the day to 22kts. With the results close, everything was still there to play for. In their keenness, and out for success Wil 2 Win strayed a fraction over the line, losing a minute to the rest of the fleet. Coming out of the line they chose the starboard side of the course, into a progressive lift which saw them 5th at the windward mark. Close racing between the J92, and Wil 2 Win put the pressure on team work, and a chasing Satisfaction was keen to get in on the action. As it became too tight for the kite, early kite drops on the second reach allowed the J and Corby to pull out on Satisfaction as they struggled to get the kite on-board.

Consistent performances throughout the weekend clinched the IRC for Mike Budd’s X35 (Nexus), with the Corby 25 (Wil 2 Win) second. The sportboat fleet, missing the SB3’s who’d travelled to Gateshead was won convincingly by Converting Machine,

With the mixed conditions, and the superb race organisation by Richard Tudor, the event proved to be a huge success. For those who’d rested through the winter, it was a great event to get the crews back into action, a number of which will make the trip to Holyhead for the Royal Dee regatta, and over to Dun Laoghaire later in the season.

Overall Results:

IRC
1st Nexus - X 35 -Mike Budd
2nd Wil2Win – Corby 25 - Wil Partington/Wil Williams
3rd Just Enough – J92 -Stephen Tudor

Sportsboat
1st Converting – Cork 1720 - Machine David Cummerford
2nd Quango – Hunter 707 – R Banthorpe
3rd Gwylan – Cork 1720 – James Evans

PYS
1st Sunrunner – P Marland
2nd Scallywag – A Jones