Sailing Results and Reports Lleyn Lergy fails to dim Fun in the Sun at triumphant Abersoch Dinghy Week. | Lleyn Lergy fails to dim Fun in the Sun at triumphant Abersoch Dinghy Week. |
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The entries were down, but the temperatures were up. Some WRSC sailors were afflicted by the Llleyn Lergy and missed races, but WRSC sailors were amongst the prize winners. (For those in doubt, Lleyn is the name of the peninsular on which Abersoch is situated, not the lady behind the bar in the Vaynol Hotel.)
12 of the 213 entries were from WRSC, and wherever they finished in their respective fleets, they were able to enjoy a return to what Abersoch is all about - Fun in the Sun. Sunday morning's racing got underway in an exciting north westerly blowing offshore, which made it more exciting the further out you sailed. But the sun was out by mid-day, and the wind lessened from then on so that by mid week the afternoon racing was abandoned for lack of wind, and the Lasers and Solos were put out to grill for three hours in the morning. The sand castle builders didn't complain. Only Friday morning spoilt things with a bit of mizzle, but by the afternoon the sun had won again.
There were 2 WRSC entries in the 23 strong Laser fleet, which started first every morning. Despite feeling under the weather early in the week from the aforementioned lergy, Hamish Gledhill put in a devastating performance of 3 wins and 2 seconds to win the series by a clear 10 points. Commodore Cook started the week well with some solid results including a 4th in race 3. Alas, he succumbed to a variant of the Lleyn Lergy and missed two races, but nevertheless still had sufficient points for 14th place.
The Solos had the biggest fleet of 34, including 4 from WRSC. Jonathan Gledhill had a solid scoreline of 4,5,9,5,3 that gave him 4th place and a place on the prize list. Pat Percival enjoyed himself mid-fleet and finished up 18th. This was 2 places ahead of John Gledhill who, after a first race 3rd became the founder member of the Lleyn Lergy and missed 3 races. Mike Wallace gradually improved as the week progressed with a 12th and 14th on Thursday and Friday, putting him 23rd overall and a contented smile saying it all.
John Lang and Damian Abbatt were the sole WRSC entry amongst the 11 Fireballs. They impressed all with a Tour de France impression to and from the beach each day. Unfortunately, John got carried away and fell off, which prevented any sailing over the last 2 days. Damian carried on with a crew plucked, some say blindfold, from the beach, registered the best result of the week with a 5th, to finish 9th overall.
Ted Farrance and Julie Tree were the sole Swordfish entry in the Slow Mixed Dinghies Fleet of 15. Despite a great result of 2nd place on the final day, their other results were mid fleet and they finished a very good 7thoverall.
As usual the RS200 fleet of 23 contained some hot competition that was too strong for the three WRSC boats. Tom & Sue Davidson had their best result of 12th on the first day and ended up the week in 16th place. Tony & Ellie Short and Mike & Sue Fogg each registered a 14th, but were well down overall. At least they didn't get the lergy!
Last fleet off each day, and one of the strongest in talent, the 15 RS400's included 1.5 WRSC entries. The 0.5 was Sailing Secretary Owyn Wallace at the front end of a Leigh and Lowton RS. Thank goodness the WRSC entry of Hamish and Rachel Gledhill managed to beat him with 5th overall to Owyn's 8th!
Hamish was doing the "iron man" thing, sailing morning and afternoon races. Except when the lergy got hold of him and he had to miss a race. Rachel, not wanting to miss her daily sail, combed the beach in vain for a suitable helm before falling back on brother-in-law Jonathan - "Any port in a storm" as one well known RS helm commented on the starting line. Newcomers to RS400 fleets normally get spat out of the back like a cherry stone, so Jonathan took great delight in leading that well known helm all the way round until just short of the line. The red face and profound apology were greatly enjoyed.
Next year's Abersoch Dinghy Week flips a week to the end of the month, so book your accommodation for 26th - 31st July 2009 NOW!
Full results on:
http://www.scyc.co.uk/DinghyWK/dinghywk_results.asp
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