Border Counties Midweek Sailing Series at Llyn Brenig Sailing Club

Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Llyn Brenig © Dave Thomas

Llyn Brenig is the highest sailing club in Wales and is a large reservoir of approximately 370 hectares, and an altitude of just over 380m, with the dam facing south westerly prevailing winds. Usually a good place for a sail! And today was no exception but a bit more wind would have helped.

The day started sunny but with only a light breeze, which dropped off as boats arrived and registration took place. By the allotted time for the briefing - 10.30 - 33 boats and 39 sailors had registered to sail, including eight young sailors from the Brenig Squad, however the lake was (very unusually) glassy. A decision was taken to postpone for 30 minutes, and fortunately the breeze then filled in to a steady 7 knots from the SSE.

The first race started using a triangular course. The breeze stayed throughout. After three laps Andy Todd from Bala took line honours in his RS100, closely followed by local sailors Andrew Roberts and Alex Watson in their 505. On corrected time Pete Coop (Streaker) from Winsford Flash took first place, with Andy Todd second and Kieran Lewis from Shotwick/Royal Navy (Aero 7) in third.

After a break for lunch,where we lounged around in the sunshine (how different to last year when it was 7 degrees in June) the second race started using a more ambitious course, taking the fleet to the far eastern shore of the lake. This turned out to be a mistake, as the breeze lessened and then died, leaving the easternmost mark in a dead spot, and resulting in a very long race of around 90 minutes for two laps On corrected time Pete Coop took the win, with Matthew Bennett, Solo, from Shotwick second, and Ted Garner from Budworth also in a Solo in third place.

The third race was blessed with a return of the 8 knots breeze from the SSE, so a further three laps were sailed on the original triangular course, giving a very satisfactory end to the day. First across the line was the 505 sailed by Andrew Roberts and Alex Watson, but on corrected time the win went to Kieran Lewis, with Eric Hasleden (Supernova, Winsford Flash) second and Pete Coop third.

The Brenig youth squad did really well in a tough mixed fleet.

Andy Davey (L) and Pete Coop first overall - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Llyn Brenig - photo © Dave Thomas

Overall prizes for the day:

1st Pete Coop, Winsford, Streaker
2nd Kieran Lewis, Shotwick/Royal Navy
3rd Andy Todd, Bala, RS100
1st Double hander Peter Thoms and Dawn Frost, GP14, Nantwich

Local prizes went to:

1st Brenig sailor Paul Oliver, K1
1st Brenig double hander Andrew Roberts and Alex Watson, 505

Youth prizes went to:

Ieuan Kelly (RS Tera Sport)
Ellis Crierie (RS Tera Sport)
Leon Price (Topper 4.2)
Sophie Hill who teamed up with honorary junior Eli Morley in the RS Feva XL

As always a big thank you to all the team at Llyn Brenig for looking after us all both on and off the water.

Next event Budworth on Tuesday September 2nd. So why not come and join our friendly Tuesday club; it's better than being in work!

Series website: bordercountiesmidweeksailing.wordpress.com

Andy Davey (L) and Kieran Lewis second overall - Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Llyn Brenig - photo © Dave Thomas

Overall Results: