Well this year we still have green leaves on the trees and temperatures are still making it into the 20's but laying up supper notices, boats migrating from moorings to marinas and an unmistakable nip in the morning air can only mean one thing - time for the popular Pwllheli Challenge Autumn and Winter Series.

The Autumn Series, four weekends of round the cans racing starts this Saturday 25th & 26th September with a civilised warning signal of 10:30am both days. The series then continues every other weekend across three further weekends: 9th/10th October, 23rd/24th October and 6th/7th November.

In November, the Autumn series makes way for the Winter Series starting 13th/14th November and continues over two further weekends: 27th/28th November and 11th/12th December, taking us nicely up to Christmas.

As usual racing is open to cruisers using the NHC handicap system, as well as IRC and sports boat classes. With plenty of trophies up for grabs, we are hoping that the large cruiser class that enjoyed the Pop Up regatta in July, will again join the racing in Tremadog Bay in the Autumn and Winter Series. With plenty of discards available, the series allows boats to miss an entire weekend without losing that competitive edge on the points table. That and the schedule of every other weekend, allows skippers and crews to catch up with non-sailing friends and family, who may have felt somewhat neglected during the summers cruising and regatta season.

With the usual increase of boats in the bay for the Autumn and winter series there is always a shortage of crew, so please get in touch if you fancy joining a boat for some racing. All you need is enthusiasm for being on the water. Every boat is different and every skipper has their own sailing styles so they will teach you all you need to join them on their boat.  We'd particularly like to encourage any CHIPAC sailors to come forward and have a go. 

On line entry form >here

Note: IRC class split will be announced when all entries are in but not after 1200hrs Friday  24th^th September

SSIs is now published here