Eight at Abersoch Dinghy Week 09

There were only eight WRSC entries at this year’s Abersoch Dinghy Week, just over half last year’s numbers and well down on our record of 22 boats. Perhaps those who stayed away had an insight into the week’s weather; unless you enjoy wild winds and wicked waves, this was not for you. For adrenalin junkies, it was the ultimate fix The opening Sunday morning briefing said it all when the OOD promptly announced cancellation of the morning’s races. There was some easing in the afternoon and those brave enough in the double handers had a memorable ride. Thereafter Monday and Friday provided champagne sailing conditions with plenty of sun, wind and spray. Tuesday and Friday were sailed on inshore courses in bigger winds and huge seas and only the brave, or foolhardy, ventured out amongst the mountain ranges posing as waves. Wednesday was “normal”, with lighter winds, but with the tide becoming an important factor.

Swordfish back in action

It was good to see more than one Swordfish back in action with Mike Wallace returning with Ellie Horn to renew battles of old with Ted Farrance, who had Helen at the sharp end of 202. They competed in the slow handicap fleet of nineteen, consisting of an assortment of Enterprises, GP’s, and Snipes. The two of them skipped the extreme conditions and battled against each other over three races. They finished within a couple of points of each other with Ted shading it over Mike for 10^th place. Ted’s best result was 6^th on Monday, and Mike enjoyed the lighter stuff on Wednesday with a 5^th.

WRSC’s only RS200 entry

The RS 200’s had the biggest afternoon fleet with 26 entries and some good names at the top. Mike and Sue Fogg were WRSC’s only RS200 entry this year and put in their usual dogged performance in the unfriendly conditions. Avoiding the worst weather they finished 21^st overall, finishing two of the three races they started. They epitomise what Dinghy Week is all about, the taking part and extracting as much fun as possible.

New Laser 2000

Tony and Ellie Short entered their new Laser 2000 in the fast handicap fleet of 15 boats. Their overall position of 11^th belied a promising debut in the new acquisition. They only scored one result, but it was a 4^th! They sat out Sunday, Tuesday and Friday and wisely pulled out of the brisk Monday and Thursday before things got unpleasant.

RS400 lunatic fringe

So to the RS400 lunatic fringe. Hamish and Rachel Gledhill were the only WRSC entry to complete 6 races in the week; the Solos lost Sunday’s race. After mixed fortunes had them lying 5th overall after Wednesday’s light winds, Thursday’s champagne sailing conditions saw them pull out the stops for a second place and back in the top three. Friday’s finale was memorable. Despite half the fleet staying ashore, the 400’s made a fantastic sight on an inshore course, on occasions electing to drop their kites and surf dead downwind as the faster option to sailing hot angles. Battling it out in the top three throughout the race, H & R put their foot down on the last lap to pull through for a win and second overall, and they didn’t even notice the rain.

Biggest class

The fleet of 43 Solos made it the biggest class at ADW, with Jonathan Gledhill, Pat Percival and your ageing reporter representing WRSC. Proud to say, we all made it to every start and in particular enjoyed Thursday’s conditions; with the second lap spray fest reach to the islands designated by most of the fleet as the best ever, anytime, anywhere. With youth (he’s only forty this year) on his side, Jonathan hammered round for 6^th place overall, his highlight probably being the 3^rd place on Viking Tuesday revisited, when he kept the renowned Andy Couch a place behind. An 8^th in the lighter winds and a disappointing 8^th in the extreme conditions of the last day prevented an even higher position. Pat “Rocky” Percival never gave up. Bad capsizes in the first two races would have deterred lesser men, but he came back for more, finishing the next two races with an 18^th on Thursday. And he was back for the ultimate Friday freak out, although this did not end happily. If you survived that week, Pat, you’ll survive forever. My nomination for the Endeavour Medal. Your reporter managed to finish every race, which enabled him to finish 11th overall. There were the 15 minutes of fame when, after a reaching start, he led the fleet all the way out to sea. The next half hour beating back through white caps soon put him in his place. Best result was 4^th in Wednesday’s force 2, even managing to come out ahead of that man Andy Couch after race long place swapping. So that’s another Dinghy Week. With 270 entries, it would appear to be on the up again, particularly if we can see more WRSC boats next year. Book in for the last week in July 2010, now.

John Gledhill