Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series - Week 3
by Vicky Cox 18 Oct 2022 12:07 BST
15-16 October 2022
Weekend 3 of the Pwllheli challenge series, was confined to Sunday racing for safety and fairness to all competitors, due to winds gusting to 52kts on Saturday. A transition between south westerly and south easterly, produced a perfectly timed window in the stormy weather on Sunday which allowed the fleet a rather pleasant sail in sunshine with a steady 8-12kts from the southwest.
Race officer Robin Evans set the course for race one along the beach and out to PSC mark number 3, upwind. A busy start line but everyone apart from Steve Williams Darling managed to get away cleanly. Mark Rosenthal’s Elan Flair IV got a very good start and were quickly up to full speed out if the start along with Darling.
With wind forecast to swing southeasterly, the fleet found some extreme wind bends as they turned further offshore and those paying attention for headers could make significant advances by tacking onto lifts. Peter Dunlop and Victoria Cox’s J109 Mojito were the first to hoist their kite closely followed by Nigel Ingram’s Wild Haggis and David Leans J99, Jackpot.
In the end Wild Haggis took line honours followed by Mojito, taking 1st overall. Jackpot and Darling followed closely, taking 3rd and 4th in class 1 respectively. Will Partington’s Honeybee took 1st in class 2.
Race 2 and again it was a busy start line with some boats over but, unable to see the whole fleet, race officer Robin was forced to announce a general recall.
A clean start on the second race and all still very close at the first mark but as the wind continued to back south easterly and increase to 12-16kts, the tighter angles favoured Mojito, flying their code zero to take another 1st.
Wild haggis desperately tried to hold their kite but we’re evidently dropping down from course. Further back in the fleet witnessed some close competitive sailing between Flair IV and Paul Kitteringham’s Elan Finally. But it was the very close racing between Darling and Jackpot, finishing with just 4seconds between them that gave them 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Wild haggis still lead the series, with Mojito gaining places up the table to sit just one point behind. Racing continues in two weeks time. More information and full results are on the club website.
As always, skippers are keen to attract more crew so anyone interested should contact