Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series Finale
by Vicky Cox 29 Oct 05:56 GMT
25-26 October 2025
With storm Benjamin in the vicinity the decision to race was always going to be borderline. But with flat seas a result of Northerlies, Friday's decision was to race.
North-westerlies in Pwllheli always create flat seas and gusty shifty conditions and the flat seas and sun peaking through clouds on Saturday morning masked the fact that the wind strength had stepped up a gear. Only the gust lanes appearing on the water were clues to the near 35kt gusts NNW.
A quick check with all skippers and crew, confirmed that racing was going ahead. Boats agreed to wait in the marina till everyone was ready to go, to limit unnecessary impact on rigs, which resulted in a convoy out to the racing area and racing was swiftly underway.
Race officer Robin Evans set a course to follow the Tremadog Triangle challenge course which always capitalises on strong north westerly winds. The course heads along South Beach to mark number 2 at the west end, then heading downwind to mark number 8 before a long reach to mark number 10 off the beach at Pen ychain and a return to the finish of Gimblet rock.
J70 Mojito Bach, crewed by young Pwllheli sailors and joined by Dave Eddowes of Quattro, sheltered behind Gimblet rock during racing sequence and were first over the line. As soon as they were away from the line and exposed to the gusts, the difference in wind strength was quite apparent. Meanwhile J122 Mojito got a slow start, crossing the line 28seconds after the gun and Darling xx followed further behind.
With strong and unpredictable winds, all apart from Nigel Ingram’s XP33 Darling xx shied away from hoisting kites. Although their moves were slick, the choice of kite restricted the depth they needed and although they made up for their late start, it wasn’t enough to avoid third place on corrected at the finish. Mojito took first place with Mojito Bach just 15 seconds behind.
As winds had increased with gusts nearing 40kts, a quick check was made on all boats to see if they were all happy to continue with the second race. All happy and race officer Robin Evans organised a course for spectators along the coast. A trip to the west end before heading out anti-clockwise around marks 3 and 6 before back into Gimblet and an out and back along the beach to and from West End again. This time it was Mojito Bach who capitalised on speed in the breeze, wining the race on corrected, over 90 seconds in front of the fleet.
Sunday was a much calmer day and everyone enjoyed the race conditions, still flat from the northerlies and there was no hesitation in putting kites on display. However there was some rusty manoeuvres. Mojito failing to execute a kiwi drop at the gybe mark, dropped the kite in the water and were forced to stop the boat to retrieve it and Andromeda had similar issues during a hoist on the leg to the finish.
With everyone settled in by the second race there was an eagerness to get the best start. Mojito realising they were going to be over early, had to nose back and sail along the line, almost running out of room at the pin end before the gun went. However, it was Andromeda and Mojito Bach, both at the Gimblet rock end, that needed to head back to clear the X flag.
Another couple of 1sts for Mojito and 2nds for Mojito Bach confirmed positions in the series. Mojito 1st overall and class 1, Mojito Bach 2nd Overall and 1st in class 2, Andromeda 3rd overall and 2nd on class 1.
Thanks to all our sailors for making it an enjoyable series. Weather permitting, racing continues in the bay in our winter series on the 8th,9th, 22nd and 23rd November. All welcome, whether to crew or race - contact for more details or check the racing section of our website PwllheliSailingClub.co.uk which includes full race results.