Pwllheli Sailing Club Winter Series - Day 2
by Vicky Cox 1 Dec 22:22 GMT
30 November -1 December 2019
Mojito preparing to race - Pwllheli Winter Series day 2 © Stuart Trunkfield
Weekend 2 of the popular Pwllheli Winter Series got under way with glorious sailing weather, an easterly 12-16kts gusting up to 22kts. The J109s at the front of the fleet again saw some very close racing.
Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox's J109 Mojito got the best start with Nigel Ingram's Jetstream managing to get ahead briefly in the first leg before tacking off. Mojito just managed to cross ahead when they crossed further up the course but Jetstream had greater upwind speed and crossed ahead on the next crossing. With leeway and tide to consider, Jetstream tacked short of the lay line for the next mark leaving Mojito to tack onto it and regain the lead.
Up went the kites, both boats with wine glasses. Jetstream managed to set their kite first gaining ground on Mojito but the next gybe saw both boats broach with kite issues again. While Jetstream sailed away from the mark trying to free their kite, Mojito managed to simultaneously goosewing their jib while sorting theirs, allowing them to maintain their heading down to the next mark.
That eventually gave them the significant lead they needed to finish 5 minutes ahead of Jetstream and the rest of the fleet. Wil Partington's Honey Bee took 1st in class 2 with Wim Batist's Only Magic taking second and Phil Livingstone's She 36 taking third.
Sunday, in contrast to Saturday seemed to present no wind and beautiful views of the Snowdonia range.
Race officer Robin Evens was not deterred and patiently waited for the breeze to fill in. He set a busy course, back and forth along the beach for what many thought would be an ambitious three laps. But as the code zeros were launched the wind filled in to provide some action packed sailing.
Phil Livingston's She 36, Pastime of Hamble got the best start accompanied by Mojito who eventually took the lead with Jetstream baring down on them fast. But with the non-stop action it was Mojito that managed to recover quickest around the corners to take first place, Jetstream again taking second.
In class 2, the good start by Pastime of Hamble wasn't enough to take 1st from Honey Bee despite some close racing between them, separated by less than a minute at the finish.
Mojito look like they are in a strong position to take the series but still have to hold off Jetstream in the last weekend of the series in two weeks time.
Next weekend (7th December) sees Pwllheli Sailing Club's prize-giving Christmas dinner at Plas Heli. Tickets are still available - an ideal time to come and party with the sailors. Skippers are always looking for new crew so why not come and join us.
Full results, racing and social information can be found at www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk