New Quay Yacht Club Keelboat Regatta 2023
by Chris Seal 12 Jul 2023 06:12 BST
6-9 July 2023
Judged a rip-roaring success!
Everyone who competed in, ran, and supported the NQYC Keelboat Regatta '23 (KBR 23) is to be hugely congratulated. IRC and PY/Byron based fleets enjoyed 'Champagne Sailing' for the most part and those not here on the water will surely rue the day they decided to do something else... New Quay was the only place to be sailing on the West Coast of Wales this week! While numbers were down a little to a dozen competing yachts (due some sailors preparing for Cowes Week or maybe even post-Covid / Brexit / cost of living blues?), the standard of sailing and race-management for this six-race series was second to none - ably led by PRO Mark Willis and stand-in Roger Griffiths.
For the first two days, four inshore windward/leeward or Olympic triangular courses were completed in southerly 20-30 kt offshore winds. Whilst it was full-on racing, at least we enjoyed flat water and blazing sunshine, with Brainstorm winning all four races. A coastal race on day 3 was started in a gentle breeze to Aberaeron and planned to route back past New Quay to Cwmtydu but racing was curtailed, as the wind slowly died through the afternoon. Only four boats made it to the finish before the time limit of 6 hours. Day 4 was another gusty offshore-wind affair with more sunshine as the yachts completed a round-the-cans race - even the dolphins joined in.
In the non-IRC fleet, using a locally Modified PY/Byron system, Carl Rich's Blythe Spirit (Parker 285) took the biscuit from Aberaeron YC's Hey Jude (Sadler 29), owned by Julian Driver/Nick Allen. It was really good to see Aberaeron YC shipmates back on the block!
In the IRC fleet, Crawford McLeary's Sprite (Hawk 20) and the 'new, out of the box' Drychin Bach (a much modified Hunter Duette) of Jon Price-Jones had a great 4 days of competition swapping 3rd and 2nd places, with Sprite eventually coming out on top. Sprite was first Hawk and Drychin Bach was first bilge keeler. Overall KBR 23 Champion, however, was the venerable Super Seal 26, Brainstorm, of Chris Seal, being first on the water in all but one race.
At the closing ceremony, prizes, trophies and gifts were spread all-around - delightfully done by our 'Mr and Mrs President': George and Jean Legg. Many votes of thanks were given - not least to the excellence of the course laying team, our bar manager, Ali Davies and for the 'tres magnifigique' French meal on Saturday night, prepared by chef Ian Jennings and team. AYC's Tim Greenslade and his crew aboard Seren Wib won 'best dressed' yacht!
As in previous years, we are indebted to our Sponsors; Golwg Y Mor, the local high-class butchers and purveyors of fine organic meats and Morgan & Davies, local Estate Agents and purveyors of fine West Wales properties!
We are already looking forward to KBR 24, please join us.
Overall Results:
IRC
1st Brainstorm (Super Seal 26) Chris Seal - NQYC/RAFSA
2nd Sprite (Hawk 20) Crawford McLeary - NQYC (and First Hawk)
3rd Drychin Bach (mod Duette) Jonathan Price-Jones (and First Bilge Keel) - NQYC/AYC
Non IRC
1st Blythe Spirit (Parker 285) Carl Rich - NQYC/RAFSA
2nd Hey Jude (Sadler 29) Nick Allen/Julian Driver - AYC