Pwllheli Sailing Club's 10 Hour Race 2026
by Vicky Cox 2 Jul 10:13 BST
Pwllheli SC's inaugural 10 Hour Race © Oscar Robertson Photography
It's been a busy year for the club so far and last weekend saw the return of Jackknife back from the transatlantic and their many adventures in Antigua and St Maarten. Crackajack returned from her adventures in the Isle of Man and Mojito were back from the south coast regattas.
Sadly, a testing Round Ireland race this year meant that some of fleet didn't manage to arrive home till just after the inaugural Pwllheli 10 hour race on Saturday. The race was perfect for racers and cruisers alike. Sandwiches and chosen beverages were packed and boats head round the circuit for 10 hours, at which point results were calculated on distance sailed and adjusted according to handicap.
Initial forecasts showing gust of up to 35kt put off many of our fleet but after a miserable start with winds briefly building to the top of a force 6, those out sailing were rewarded by a pleasant, sunny day on the water. The race took in the whole of the Tremadog bay giving many opportunities for spectators to watch the racing.
Pwllheli Sailing Club had a good view of boats at the start and at subsequent roundings of the Pwllheli Fairway buoy, then spectators at Gimblet Rock Holiday Park and along the beach had close up views of the boats as they headed round the Firmhelm marine mark 2 at the west end, before heading round the Llanbedrog headland.
South Caernarfon Yacht Club then had good views from the club house as the fleet rounded the South East and South West racing marks before returning to the Fairway and back for the next lap.
For those not keen on braving the elements for close up views, both Pwllheli Sailing Club and South Caernarfon Yacht Club set up big screens showing the trackers of all boats taking part, along with the leaderboard as it progressed.
As boats were lapped on the water, greetings were exchanged along with a friendly wave. Then, when the allotted hour was reached, everyone took photographic evidence of their position coordinates and headed back to Plas Heli for results and a hog roast joined by club members, cruisers and racers alike. All in all it was a resounding success and we are already planning next year's 10 Hour Race.
Next big event on our calendar is the Gimblet Rock Celtic Regatta including the Welsh IRC championships 4th to 6th September. With feeder races both from and to Dun Laoghaire there really is no reason not to join in the fun, whichever side of the channel you are based. Make sure you get your entries in soon at ircwelshchamps.com
For now though, our YTC summer series continues on the 4/5 July and 1/2 August, not forgetting the commodore's Pwllheli regatta on the 18th July. A chance for fancy dress, a race, a parade of boats along with the RNLI, and the possibility of a photo or two. Open to all - come and say hello and join us for fun on the water.