Report by: Paul Earnshaw

Day 1
On Friday there were 3 races scheduled, the first race to be a one lap practice race followed by 2 Championship races. Having been on the water for nearly two hours the fleet eventually got the practice race started in a very shifty force 4 to 5 wind. The sea state was very confused and led to a number of capsizes and breakages. Jeff Mountain unfortunately lost his rudder and was seen heading out towards the Isle of Man before being finally rescued, Mike Hall lost his mast and many others tried the temperature of the water. This led to further delays while the unlucky few were rafted up against the Committee boat.

Race 1
The first Championship race finally got underway after about 4 hours on the water. Richard Pakes took an early lead and held this to the finish followed closely by Mike Gibson in 2nd and Bruce Howett in 3rd. Chris and Steve Hawley had their best results of the Championship in 5th and 8th respectively. In the ladies fleet Helen Britain showed her skill being the only lady to sail with a large sail, all the other ladies trying out the new small sail. The first veteran, not surprisingly was Richard Hartley however he was not having it all his own way with John Carrington and Chris Watts following close behind.

Race 2
For the 2nd race the sea continued to be very lumpy and a number of people deciding to retire prior to the start. The wind was still shifting and the Race Officer was having difficulty setting an unbiased line, this led to a couple of General recalls and the last race finally getting started under a black flag. Dave Everett seemed oblivious to the Black flag and was lucky not to get caught out on the wrong side of the line. The race followed a similar pattern to the first with Richard Pakes taking the lead with Mike Gibson a close 2nd and Bruce Howett 3rd. Mark Hartley kept up his challenge to retain the championship with 4th place in both races. In the Masters fleet Tony Critchley and Paul Undrell were having a good battle recording 7th and 8th places respectively.

Day 2
The wind was still blowing from the South West force 4-6 but was not shifting as the day before and the sea was more predictable, with good courses set by the Race Officer it was a fantastic days sailing.
Race 3
Got away first time with the fleet immediately splitting with some going out to sea looking for more wind and those going inland to escape the stronger tides. The inland route proving to be the favourable route, Barry Winter taking good advantage of this to be the first round the windward mark however he couldn't cope with Mike Gibson's pace who passed him on the first reach. Today it was Mike Gibson who took the gun, holding off Richard Pakes to reverse the previous days results. Cliff Milliner finally getting his campaign back on track finishing 3rd. Phil East was continuing to show good speed but unfortunately took a swim at the first gybe mark and fell off the leading pack. The battle for the Ladies Trophy was being hotly contested, but with Fiona Scott and Janet Thompson deciding to top up their sun tans rather than taking a lengthy swim, it was down to Lesley Jeans and Helen Brittan to contest the trophy. Lesley continued to use the smaller sail to good effect and reversed Fridays results to beat Helen who was perservering with the large sail.

The racing was followed with a BBQ at the club and a great evening socializing, some people staying far longer than was sensible.

Combinations of boat and sail had not had the effect that some people feared with both Mark I and Mark II Supernovas and both Banks and Jeckells sails taking the line honours.

Congratulations to Richard Pakes on taking his first Championship.

A big thanks to Llandudno SC for organizing a fantastic event that was enjoyed by all competitors both on and off the water.

Results
Overall Championship

Silver Fleet

Masters

Ladies

Veterans

Full results here.