Sgrech Prize giving

The following is Stephen’s Speech at the Prize Giving in November 2012

It has been a long season. We completed 8 of the 10 scheduled ISORA races from April to September plus the Round Ireland Race.

We have done 2600 miles, a top speed of 18.4 knots and crossed the Irish Sea 14 times.

It has been a whole team effort from boat preparation, organising deliveries and crew.

It has been a delight to sail with my partners Hugh and Philip who regrettably can’t be with us tonight.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the company and shared experience of the Irish Sea with the 21 crew members who sailed on Sgrech this season from hardened offshore veterans Arfon, Sarah, Andrew and Ger. Ger joined us on the Round Ireland race and has stuck with us. We have introduced offshore racing to many novices and I hope that these experiences and the growing racing fleet in Pwllheli will attract more offshore racers from Wales.

We were joined on Sgrech again this year by the reported ISORA head honcho and, as he has become affectionately known in Pwllheli, The Commodore of Ireland - Peter Ryan. It has been a delight to sail with you Peter – thank you.

It is a tough environment that we race in – not forgetting the deliveries which also sometimes more demanding. The racing has been tactical and varied with different courses, ports and of course great parties.

It is a testament to the quality and seamanship skills of ISORA competitors and the family approach to our mutual safety coupled with that competitive nature which makes this such a special Association.

Talking of family - I thank my wife Carys and my family for the support given this year - and also to all of our partners who allow us to take part in this extreme sport.

I mentioned that it has been a long season but my campaign for the Wolfs Head has been even longer. This started in then1970’s with my first ISORA race, when I was 15 on my father’s 30foot Golden Shamrock. I competed in most ISORA races from 1977 to 1990 when I got married and other interest took over.

Thankfully ISORA continued and I was able to have an occasional ISORA race with Anthony Jones’ Gwawr who we remember fondly.

I was persuaded to take part in the Pwllheli to Wicklow race in 2009 in our stripped out light displacement 30 foot J92. - We were hooked again!

We were a very wet second in the 2010 season to our nemesis Raging Bull

In 2011 we upgraded to Sgrech, Sgrech is Welsh for Jay bird, and were again second to Raging Bull but closing fast and a little dryer. We were looking forward to our battle this year with Raging Bull and I am sure we will see Matt competing on the Irish Sea again soon.

The racing this year was competitive and tactical. Our J sister ships Joker II and Jedai pushed us all the way and also the Beneteaus Adeli and Lula Belle who were always snapping at our heals.

ISORA has looked at innovative ways to improve our offshore racing experience by embracing technology, adapting class racing structures and scoring systems. I hope this will continue.