Abersoch Mirror Week 2021 exceeds the F Factor
by Dave Shiel 3 Sep 18:59 BST
16-20 August 2021
Abersoch Mirror Week 2021 © Mike Crompton
South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club continued its members only approach into the summer of 2021 only to see the Covid-19 lockdown rules lifted in Wales just in time for Mirror Week 2021 to be opened to all with only 10 days to go to the start of the normal Mirror Week.
This allowed 24 Mirrors to hitch up and find their ways onto the Llyn Peninsular. 24 boats is a little light compared to the numbers of previous years but still a fantastic result after the 10 day dash.
The week started windy, so the PRO tucked the fleet into the far south west area of the main beach. You could have had a cornet or a 99 from Footprints as you rounded the windward mark.
The fleet was split into gold and silver for the week. Quick to the party in the Gold Fleet were Ruby, Double Trouble, Marsh Mellow and Sea Grass all showing lightning pace in the early breeze. Dad & Son Leach, Blue Bell, Squirt and Cheeky Monkey were also quick to the silver party.
The wind dropped lighter in the week which gave the PRO the chance to use the club start line on Thursday for the two races. A local magazine "Abersoch Life" was present photographing the starts for a forthcoming article in the magazine.
There was even time in the week for the Junior race - where the competitive parents handed the helm over to the Juniors. Ruby again showed great boat speed to take line honours from Dad & Son Taylor after an epic battle.
So, after a great time the honours were decided on Friday in the last two races of the week.
Gold Fleet
Ruby showed her pedigree as the overall winner of the gold fleet.
Silver Fleet
Dad & Son Leach and Blue Bell tied at the top of the silver fleet. Snoopy was the oldest boat in 16th overall.
Squirt picked up the seamanship award for rudder juggling and the first wooden boat was Cheeky Monkey in 13th.
The event concluded with a successful prize-giving. All competitors made it onto the Vimto medal podium.
The people behind the aforementioned dash know who they are, and they know that the club, the members, the guests and the competitors are all appreciative of what they did to make this week happen.
Interesting point to note, only 10 wooden boats this year - has the dynamic of the fleet finally changed?
Next year is the 25th Anniversary of this fantastic week. The dates for the week are starting on Monday the 15th August 2022, finishing on the 19th August 2022. Competitors are more than welcome to use the club on both weekends before and after the actual week.