3rd Musto ISORA Welsh Coastal Race at Pwllheli Sailing Club
by Vicky Cox 29 Apr 19:45 UTC
27-28 April 2024
Brian Dixon's Xyacht Gelert - 3rd Musto ISORA Welsh Coastal Race at Pwllheli © Peter Sinclair Gill
Saturday's Musto ISORA coastal in Pwllheli was again split into two starts. Class 2 got off together heading west downwind along the beach, towards the first mark giving spectators a chance for photos.
Stephen Williams XP33, Darling, heading more offshore, started to suffer with more tide against them. Class 0&1 set off half an hour later with Andrew and Sam Hall's J125 Jackknife getting a great start.
Once round the first mark, wind angles got tighter to reach through St. Tudwall sound, round Cilan Head and into strong tide heading west. The dead run in winds up to 20kts saw Paul Sutton Farr X2 Lightening, get up on the plane, advancing at high speed towards Mojito and Jackknife at the front of the class 0 fleet.
By the Gwylan islands, Jackknife had caught up with the class 2 fleet to tag onto the precession around the islands off Aberdaron and swiftly gained the lead on the water on the way back home.
The sail home, upwind and against the strong tide, saw boats tack in and out of the bays along the way, Mojito closely crossing behind Peter Ashworth's Sunfast 3200 - ZigZag, on a tack into Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth). Although great gains could be made by coming off the rhumb line and into the bays, Stephen Williams XP33 demonstrated that similar speeds overground could be obtained by sailing the longer course further offshore.
As some forecasts had predicted light winds, three gates had been set with time limits for the lead boat, which would result in their use as the finish line if not met. With winds between 15-20kts for majority of the race out to the islands, it looked like the fleet would easily make it home but by the time Jackknife approached the last of these gates off Cilan Head it was evident that the winds were dropping to 10-12kts. They easily made the gate with eight minutes to spare meaning the final destination for the fleet was set as the fleet Plas Heli finish line in transit with the Pwllheli Fairway buoy. Surely everyone would complete the remaining 8nm to the finish line in plenty of breeze.
However, almost as soon as Jackknife crossed through the gate the winds dropped even further and they were struggling to make progress to the St Tudwall islands. The dilemma then was whether to go through the sound and risk no wind at all or go round and do more miles. Mojito, who had capitalised on the gusts coming down the cliffs close inshore, joined them with the same dilemma but took the risk to go through the sound, leaving Jackknife needing to do something different to regain first place. In the end the winds, although reduced, were steady through the sound, with gusts giving an extra boost for Mojito. When both boats emerged the other side of the islands, it was Peter Dunlop and Victoria Cox's J122e, Mojito that was in front on the water and kept their lead to the finish. Jackknife in hot pursuit had to settle for second place on the water and overall.
Sadly further back in the fleet there was a dawning that it would take some hours to reach the finish and Matt Harrison&Robert Temple's X yacht - Excession was the first to retire. As boats emerged from the St Tudwall sound, winds became too little to avoid the tide and Jac y Do, Zig Zag and Panache all spent a time heading backwards. Even boats that were making progress, were doing so at less than half a knot. All were eventually forced to retire apart Paul&Sam Kitteringham's Elan 350 Finally and Paul Sutton's Farr X2 - Lightening, who both persevered to finish 3 hours after the leaders.
Sunday's racing, continuing the Pwllheli Spring Series, saw glorious sunshine and winds building to 10-19kts before dropping off to single figures for the second race. The northwesterly provided some big wind bends to make use of in the first race and as wind holes began to form, the fleet had to negotiate wind shifts of over 50degrees in the second race.
Paul and Sam Kitteringham's Elan 350, Finally, got two great starts with Mojito in close pursuit followed by Paul Sutton's Farr X2, Lightening and William Smith's Sonata behind. Mojito made things difficult for themselves in the second race by trying to fly the kite on a fetch to the second mark leaving Finally to lead them round. By the finish line though, it was two Mojito wins with Finally having to accept two second places. Mojito lead the spring series overall and in class 0, Finally are currently 2nd overall and first in class 1 and William Smith's Sonata is leading class 2 of the spring series.
With the IRC Welsh Nationals in Pwllheli quickly approaching (17th to 19th May), the spring series provides a great opportunity to get crew together to practice in readiness. The last weekend of the series is in 2 weeks time (11th&12th May) and with the leaders away in offshore feeder races, it's the ideal opportunity to get valuable points on the board.
Whether racing your boat or looking to crew, come and join us in Pwllheli for more fun on the water. Full results, entry forms and more information at pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk and IRCWelshChamps.com and ISORA.org