Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series - Week 2
by Vicky Cox 3 Oct 2022 08:45 BST
1-2 October 2022
Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series: Close racing along the beach © Sioned Owen
The popular Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series is well under way with the second weekend of four, held this weekend. With strong winds and lively seas it is easy to see why Pwllheli Sailing Club dominates the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association's club trophy, with the fleet eager to get sailing.
Race officer Robin Evans sent them off along the beach then out to marks further offshore. Mojito were determined to make up for missing the first weekend of the series and got a great start on race one. As they rounded the first mark, kites were hoisted being chased down by Farr30 - Wild Haggis, keen to maintain their lead from the previous weekend.
A big broach by Mojito on a jibe on the penultimate leg, allowed Wild haggis to take line honours but Mojito took 1st overall on corrected with Wild haggis taking 2nd. Steve Williams's XP33 - Darling and David Lean's J99 - Jackpot, both short on crew, joined forces and sailed Jackpot to a comfortable 3rd place despite Paul Kitteringham's Elan 350 - Finally making full use of the stability of twin rudders in the strong winds. Meanwhile in class 2, Wil Partington's Honey Bee took first place.
Race two, and the whole fleet improved their starts meaning a close rounding at the first mark but it was Wild haggis that got ahead down wind. Back up wind and J109 - Mojito managed to pull back ground with Jackpot gaining on them both, but in the end it was Wild haggis that took line honours with Mojito winning the race on corrected and another 3rd place for Jackpot.
Sunday, in complete contrast to Saturday, brought brilliant sunshine and a pleasant 10-14kts northwesterly creating a beautiful backdrop to some close racing. Both Darling and Jackpot were crewed up and both keen to get a good start. Will Partington, sailing single handed on his Hunter - Honeybee, was also in prime position for a good start, with Finally and Mojito jostling for the line. In the end race officer Robin had to call a general recall as the whole fleet were well over by the time the start gun sounded.
A rerun of the start and boats pretty much lined up as before with a little more room to the line. All boats got a good start and were still level by the time they reached the first mark with Wild haggis having to give mark room to Jackpot, Mojito, Darling, with Finally and Honeybee close behind.
Coming out of the mark and Wild Haggis, and Jackpot went high, giving Mojito room to soak down to the next mark unimpeded. An error by Wild haggis at the next windward mark left them having to go back round the mark in the correct direction, allowing Jackpot, Darling and Finally to get ahead. Mojito finished first with Wild haggis almost two minutes behind followed by both Darling and Jackpot another two minutes behind them. That gave Mojito another win, Darling second and Jackpot third. Wild Haggis had to settle for a 5th place behind Class 2 winner Honeybee.
The last race of the weekend produced another close start with Jackpot and Darling getting another great start. With wind shifting as much as 40degrees there were some massive gains to be made by playing the shifts. Mojito managed to luff up to Wild haggis, forcing them to have to tack out from a lift. That allowed Mojito to pull away and finish four minutes ahead of the fleet on corrected with Darling taking 2nd and Jackpot 3rd. Honeybee took 5th overall to take 1st in class 2.
Nigel Ingram's Wild haggis remain at the top of the table, David Lean's Jackpot are holding onto 2nd place, with Peter Dunlop & Victoria Cox's Mojito in 3rd place. It is still all to play for in the series which continues in two weeks time on the 15th and 16th October.
Full results and racing schedule are on the club website www.PwllheliSailingClub.co.uK
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