Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 delivers the F Factor

Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 © John Edwards

Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 Champions, Hennie and Craig Burlton © John Edwards

Close battles amongst the youth sailors at Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 © John Edwards

One of the more interesting YachtsandYachting.com articles this month was an interview with a certain sail loft manager and previous Mirror National Champion. Aside from business and class related discussion, firstly, the value of sailing with his daughter was made clear. Secondly, the interviewee was asked about the success of Salcombe Merlin Week, attracting regularly a vast fleet and selling out within three days of entry opening eight months before the event.

He mentioned its formula of a relatively short time (but intense) time on the water at a great venue, with time for fun, friends, and family ashore afterwards. Whilst the other annual South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club dinghy institution that is Abersoch Dinghy Week gained a mention, it is clear (to the cognoscenti) that Abersoch Mirror Week really does deliver the F-Factor in a similar way for Mirror sailors.

Fantastic Boats

It is beyond debate that the Mirror continues to provide a fantastic sailing experience, particularly for those who do not wish to spend a fortune on their craft. For many, Mirrors are a joy to be rescued and restored to as new condition, with plenty of support in the various Mirror social media groups (another F word...) and some very high quality refurbishments possible. Whilst, this year, there was a gradual increase in the number of grand prix FRP boats, the majority are still wooden hulls, which remain quick in the right hands.

Family Sailing

Inspection of the results confirms that almost all of the boats were sailed by members of the same family, with many parent-child, in addition to sibling and cousin, combinations. For some of us, your scribe included, there was the intense pleasure of stepping out of the boat after ten AMW's and watching the children grow each day on their own.

A windy reach for the middle of the fleet at Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 - photo © John Edwards

Fun

Like the Merlins in Salcombe, the two races each day back to back (supported by excellent on the water crew changes by Club launch and RIB, fuelled by exchanges of Haribos) allows the rest of the day for a leisurely lunch and afternoon shenanigans on the beach, cruising to the St Tudwal's Islands (or beyond), or time exploring Pen Llyn more widely. The ritual of the Mirror Drive, held after generous portions of great food in The Cove, was an instant sell out, with more capacity being gained once it was known that the weather would allow some to dine outside in the warm evening sun.

Captain Blue, the undisputed King of the Pin at every Abersoch Mirror Week - photo © John Edwards

Fabulous conditions

Competitors and spectators alike were blessed again by great conditions this year. On Monday, a shifty north westerly allowed a windmark just off the yacht club, allowing those enjoying coffee in The Cove a grandstand view. The rest of the week saw the usual south-westerly winds, with the tides high enough to allow long courses predominantly inshore of the yacht moorings. The winds increased gradually through the week, with one day being lost to high wind and poor visibility, but even the youngest children coping admirably with sustained 20 knot winds by the end of the week.

Plenty of breeze to challenge the younger sailors at Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 - photo © John Edwards

Fifty three entries

Once again, there were more entries in AMW than at the National Championships a few weeks before, with visitors making up the majority of the fleet. It was especially pleasing to see new entries from beyond the home club and the north west of England, including from the Hamble, Sheffield, Reading and Chew Valley.

Fast sailing

In the strong winds and flat water, there was plenty of fast sailing. This was evident by the audible whoops of delight down the first screaming reach (yes, we know who you are and we knew you had a strong voice...)

Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 - photo © John Edwards

First?

The results nearly speak for themselves. Returning multi-class champion Craig Burlton, crewed by daughter Hennie, looks as if he had everything his own way with a "picket fence" score, but he had to fight from behind (the equally consistent) Paul and Alfie Cullen in many of the races. Throughout the fleet, however, there were many personal firsts. AMW legend Tony Taylor again winning the most prestigious first prize, for the first gaff-rigged Mirror. Matthew and Harriet Waddington won the youth prize, but not for the first time but the third consecutive year. Gabriella Burlton and Katie Budd, were the first all female boat. There were at least nine boats crewed only by children, some for the first time together. First class, too, was the on and off the water management by PRO Pete Richards and the SCYC team.

Runners up Alfie and Paul Cullen, working out how to overtake the Burltons at Abersoch Mirror Week 2018 - photo © John Edwards

So the ingredients were there, once again, to make Abersoch Mirror Week arguably the foremost, fantastic, fast, family fun regatta for fifty or more fabulous Mirror dinghies. Fancy coming next year? Pencil August 11th to 16th 2019 into your diary or contact the SCYC office at to express your interest.

Overall Results: