(North Wales United Kingdom)- The 2013 Celtic Regatta incorporating the
‘J Challenge’ was hosted by Pwllheli Sailing Club over three days in
June. The Regatta was organized in response to the growing fleet of
racing boats in Pwllheli Wales and in particular in the J classes.Racing started on Friday 14th June with three windward leeward races. The Welsh National Event Centre Race Management Team started the regatta at the scheduled time despite the challenging force 5 winds and just as the skies and rain cleared to reveal the fantastic backdrop of the glorious Llyn Peninsula and the mountains of Snowdonia and mid Wales. In fact, the sailors were treated to mostly sunny skies, windy conditions accompanied by enormous seas-- it was a glorious weekend of sailing in northern Wales along the spectacular Irish Sea.
J/109
JEEPSTER (David Lean) took an early lead in the regatta with a 1st, 2nd
and 3rd closely followed by J/109 SGRECH (Stephen Tudor - ISORA 2012
champion) with two 1sts and a 5th. The competitors were greeted ashore
by Kev ‘Bach’ Williams of ‘HEART FM DISCO SOUNDS’ and later entertained
by Meinir Gwilym.The second day's racing was in a force 6 with wind speeds averaging 25 knots and gusting 30 knots. All competitors thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and exhilaration of the surfing conditions on the downwind legs and Andy Green the official photographer captured excellent images of boats in action. SGRECH took the first race and then two 2nds. J/111 JEZEBEL (Guy Cowper) found her pace and scored 2nd and then finished the day with two firsts. Saturday afternoon ashore entertainment was by the GYPSY TRIO and followed by a superb crew dinner for 90 competitors, friends and guests and music by the WEE BAG BAND until the early hours.
SGRECH
led the regatta at the start of day three with JEZEBEL and JEEPSTER
looking to snatch a victory. With lighter 17 knots of wind SGRECH failed
to repeat her strong wind performance and the impressive JEZEBEL came
first in the first race. So it was all down to the final race and with
JEZEBEL pushed onto the course side at the start of the last race SGRECH
failed to take advantage and JEZEBEL won the regatta by one point (10
points). SGRECH was second on 11 points and JEEPSTER third on 14 points.The J/109 MOJITO fought it out with JETSTREAM for 4th place and finished the regatta with a second place on the last race and JETSTREAM achieved their best result in the earlier race (2nd). All results were very close and the standard of racing was considered exceptional with evidence of good seamanship in the high wind regatta.
Gareth Roberts the CHPSC Events Manager presented prizes to the winning boats donated by English Braids, Sta-Lok and Partington Marine and thanked all competitors, race management team - lead by Richard Tudor, volunteers, staff, entertainers and sponsors including Cwrw Llyn and Hafan.
The Pwllheli J/Teams will be taking part in the Dún Laoghaire Regatta Ireland in July. Planning has started for the 2014 event which will be hosted in the new Sailing Academy and National Event Centre and details will be posted on www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk Sailing photo credits- Andy Green - Green Sea Sailing For more Celtic Cup Regatta sailing information
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