Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series - Week 2
by Dave Sharp 10 Oct 2023 09:32 BST
7-8 October 2023
Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series week 2 © Nick Smith
Pwllheli's Autumn series continued at the weekend, with four races in weekend 2 of the series. To say chalk and cheese would sum up the conditions perfectly!
Saturday gave the competing yachts 18 to 25 knots of wind making for very exciting racing.
Mark Thompson and Stephen Tudor's J70 Sgrech Bach, took first place after a great start, Mojito second followed by Will Partington's Honeybee in third place.
We were quickly set off on the next race which was a very busy start line. David Lean's J99 Jackpot took advantage and got away from the pack. They held this position to win, followed by Sgrech Bach second then Mojito in third.
Crews then enjoyed the Autumn supper together, hosted by Pwllheli Sailing Club at Plas Heli. The evening was a fantastic end to a great day. Luckily Sundays racing was set a little later to let hangovers clear !
By comparison Sunday's first race started in 7 knots of wind. Nigel Ingram's Farr 30 Wild Haggis, broke away early in the first race and comfortably took a deserved first, Jackpot second and Honeybee third.
The final race started well but the breeze dropped away quickly and many boats retired due to time constraints.
Four boats stuck it out, wondering if they'd manage to finish before being timed out. Sgrech Bach finished just 1 minute before the time limit, allowing the remaining boats to hang in there and eventually get moving. Mojito finished second and Mojito Bach in third place.
All agreed it was a fantastic weekend with many new crews taking part and everyone is looking forward to the next of many races that are left in the series!
If you fancy crewing on a yacht in Pwllheli, contact as many yachts are looking for new crew.
Next racing is in two weeks time on the 21st and 22nd October. More information and full results at www.PwllheliSailingClub.Co.UK