Pwllheli Challenge Series at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Week 7
by Vicky Cox 3 Dec 08:47 GMT
1-2 December 2018
Charles & Suzanna Elliot's Majestic on Pwllheli Challenge Series week 7 © Peter Dunlop
With strong winds forecast, racing was looking doubtful but as everyone was in Plas Heli for the Sailing Club Christmas party and annual prize giving during the weekend, it would have been a shame to miss the opportunity for a sail.
The fleet headed out in relatively mild weather and a pleasant 12-13 knots WSW.
Race Officer Robin Evans set a short leg along the beach before heading out on a windward leeward section before heading towards the channel entrance and then back to the finish.
The fleet welcomed new competitors Charles & Suzanna Elliot on their Bavaria 32 named 'Majestic', who took an easy first place in Class 2 on their first outing. But series leaders, Mojito, could not be stopped, taking first overall.
Race 4 of the winter series and an opportunity to blow away the cobwebs after the Christmas party. Although instruments at Aberdaron showed 30 knots gusting into the 40s, the shelter of the bay presented the fleet with winds between 16 knots and 26 knots from the south west and, as the sun peeked through the clouds, everyone agreed that it was unseasonably mild.
A well timed start from Majestic resulted in another easy second and by taking valuable points from the rest of the fleet they are firming up their second place in the series overall.
Whilst Mojito's recent wins in the Winter Series confirm that they have won the Pwllheli Challenge Series outright, the winter series itself is still wide open and anything could happen on the last weekend in two weeks time (15th & 16th December).
For more information on race entry, crewing for boats, and results so far, take a look at the club website at www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk