English (UK) Pwllheli Autumn Challenge Series - Week 4
Weekend 4, the penultimate weekend of the Pwllheli autumn challenge series made use of a weather window after Storm Ciarán. Saturday started in rain and storm clouds with chilly winds around 20-23kts from the northeast which increased to 30kts towards the end of the first race.
Peter Dunlop and Victoria Cox's J109 Mojito got off to a great start on race 1 leaving the fleet behind. However, a problem with a main sail batten, preventing a kite hoist once round the first mark, left them having to settle for a slow but more direct goose-wing to the next mark with crew up the mast trying to sort the problem.
Henry Edwards's J70 - Joskin loved the conditions. They were fast on the upwind leg but their bright pink kite was seen flying past Mojito with impressive speeds and reaching the leeward mark first despite having to sail further offshore and put in two gybes. Their lead was reduced a little, just as heavy winds hit the fleet but although they were forced to sail past the mark struggling to get the kite away, they still managed to round first, leaving Mojito with plenty of work to do to pass them again on the upwind leg.
Further back and many of the boats followed Mojito, choosing to goose wing down to the second mark. The first was Paul and Sam Kitteringham's Elan 350 'Finally'. But Stephen Tudor and Mark Thompson's J70 Sgrech Bach, who were at the back of the fleet, showed just how much the J70s love the conditions when they hoisted their kite. They were seen positively flying at amazing speed past Mojito Bach then Darling and almost overtaking Finally before they had to gybe away from the beach.
The next leeward leg offered Joskin another opportunity to get ahead of Mojito but this time Mojito were able to hoist their kite and maintain their lead, further secured when Joskin broached trying to get the kite down just as a heavy gust arrived, flattening most of the fleet.
Many of the fleet experienced issues in the increased winds forcing Stephen Goddard's Faenol out with a torn mainsail, and Mark Rosenthal's Elan Flair IV to pull out of the race, both retiring for the day. Despite finishing 2nd overall, 3 minutes ahead of Sgrech Bach, Joskin also called it a day as the heavy winds continued. Finally, also ended the day with mainsail issues and the smallest boat of the fleet, Will Partington's Hunter 31 Honey Bee who finished 3rd in class 2, also decided to join them all back at Plas Heli.
Mojito got another great start on the second race along with Mojito Bach just seconds behind, slotting in next to them at the pin end, and Sgrech Bach further downwind closer to Gimblet Rock.
However, Mojito were forced to stop the boat shortly after the start to ensure they brought a crew member safely back onboard after they slipped through the guardrail, luckily still holding onto the boat. This allowed Mojito Bach helmed by Chris Jones, followed by Sgrech Bach to take the lead with Ashley Field's Sunfast Panache closely behind.
Once settled though, Mojito were able to regain their lead to get line honours for some close results. Sgrech Bach took second, just 47 seconds behind on corrected with Panache taking a well deserved 3rd place and 2nd in class 1.
Everyone returned to Plas Heli for hot food, warming showers and fireworks while recounting their stories from the day.
Sunday saw some welcome sunshine with showers about and 15-22kts from the west. Mojito got a late start, squeezed between Steve Williams's XP33, Darling xx and Paul Sutton's X2, Lightening. Playing the gusts and shifts, they managed to get above Lightening into clear air with Panache, Finally and Honeybee further above them.
There was close battling between the three J70s all around the course and in the end it was 2nd, 3rd and 4th places overall that went to the J70's, Joskin, Mojito Bach and Sgrech Bach respectively behind Mojito with line honours and 1st overall. Panache, second over the line took 2nd in class 1 on corrected.
The last race of the weekend provided a close start, with Mojito timing their run just 3 seconds too early, leaving the fleet to get away and Joskin to get an early lead ahead of Panache and Darling, as Mojito ducked back over the line. However Panache found their form and were able to get in front and continue to build speed.
Great gains were achievable by paying attention to the many wind shifts and the lead changed several times as boats approached the windward mark.
After a lucky recovery by Mojito, they raced closely with Panache ahead of the rest of the fleet creating a short lived good lead. A kite wrap on Mojito saw them heading to the last mark without a headsail and all crew on the bow trying to sort it, allowing Panache to close the gap and catch up with them just before the finish. Sadly not enough to prevent Mojito from getting another line honours and 1st overall.
Further back in the fleet it looked like Mojito Bach were surely going to take class 2 1st but by the finish it was Joskin taking 2nd place overall on corrected, and 1st in class 2, just seconds behind class1 boat Finally. Honey Bee, although last over the line, had done enough to come in 3rd overall and 2nd in class 2 on corrected.
Everyone enjoyed the racing and are looking forward to the final weekend of the series in two weeks time. Although many of the scores are starting to be cemented, there is still plenty to play for with further discards available.
More info and full results on the club website at www.PwllheliSailingClub.Co.UK
