Summer Series final round at Pwllheli Sailing Club
by Vicky Cox 17 Aug 15:59 BST
15-16 August 2026
This weekend saw the last of the Pwllheli Summer Series, a series designed to tempt those new to racing out in the bay, whilst the hardened racers were still offshore and racing further afield. Using the free YTC handicap system and longer leg courses for those with reduced crew numbers the emphasis was on having fun on the water and taking the whole family out together.
Saturday's race did just that with what was meant to be a short coastal race. With light winds forecast, the race simply took in some of the outermost racing marks. Geoff and Hannah Dufton Kelly on Crackajack were joined by 7 year old Maya and Peter Dunlop & Victoria Cox on Mojito were joined by 5 year old Darcie who asked 'Are we going to win?'. Sadly not today.
Crackajack got a good start leaving Mojito to sail in dirty air. Once round Tudor Estate's mark 3, Crackajack hoisted their kite. Without a kite on Mojito for the leg down to Tom buoy, they were unable to get ahead, but after managing to jury rig their code zero on the way back inshore they took the lead. On handicap though, Mojito were second and Crackajack 2nd.
Sundays forecast was for even less wind and it was doubtful that a race would get under way. Boats positioned themselves on the start line discussing how long to wait for wind but zephyrs were already appearing and it was decided that a race would be attempted.
With what little wind there was from south east, Course 8 was deliberately chosen as it offered many opportunities to shorten the course. First round S&S Tyres mark 7, then the fairway buoy and back to zero before another lap taking in mark 8 (Sponsorship Available). Even Stephen Tudor&Mark Thompson's J70 Sgrech Bach, who had positioned themselves closest to the ODM, were still struggling to get over the line 5 minutes after the start. Once there, they lost whatever wind they had, allowing Peter Dunlop&Victoria Cox's J70 Mojito Bach and Geoff Dufton Kelly's First 40.7 Crackajack to catch up.
Mojito Bach spotted zephyrs approaching from the northwest and hoisted their spinnaker, making significant progress before slowing just past Sgrech Bach. The battle then was to play the two winds, the stronger gusts from the northwest against the steady almost nonexistent South to South easterly making for some interesting tacks and gybes as everyone hoisted kites. Positions on the water changed constantly until Mojito Bach got a lucky gust and managed to make the first mark 40minutes after the start. A shortened course was announced and they headed to the finish. Mojito took first, Sgrech Bach 2nd and the First 40.7, suffering in the light airs had to settle for 3rd.
Second race, and although still light, wind had definitely filled in from the south to southeast giving Crackajack the power to pass below the two J70s on the start line at speed. With Mojito Bach to windward of the fleet and Crackajack ahead, Sgrech Bach were left in dirty air and started to fall behind. Crackajack rounded the mark first with Mojito Bach on their tail.
Once round the Jac y Do mark 6 kites went up and the J70s came into their own with Mojito Back rounding the next mark first closely followed by Crackajack. Sgrech Bach got the best rounding at the Partington Marine mark 1 allowing them to get level with the First 40.7 but it was the last downwind leg in 7kts southerly that cemented the results on the water. Mojito Bach finishing first, Sgrech Bach 2nd and Crackajack 3rd.
With five weekends of racing, in many ways the series proved that the golden rule is to turn up for the race. If you don't turn up then you are never going to win. And Sgrech Bach did that, turning up for almost every race to win the series. 2nd overall was Crackajack and 3rd overall was Mojito Bach.
Pwllheli Sailing Club is now getting ready for the Celtic regatta including the IRC Welsh National Championships. The Celtic regatta also includes a YTC cruiser class so don't miss out, get your entries in.