All you need for racing right here
Entries are still invited for the IRC Welsh National Championships, in Pwllheli 17th-19th August 2018.
This flagship event is being hosted by Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre, and managed by Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club and the Royal Dee Yacht club. Racing is planned for Two IRC classes and a Cruiser class on two racetracks, in a commercial traffic free environment. Cardigan bay has weak tides and provides a safe and fair racing area, for windward/leeward, coastal or round the cans racing, with stunning views of Snowdonia and the Llyn peninsula as a backdrop.
CONGRATULATIONS - Peter, Vicky and the Mojito team - Overall IRC Class 2 winners!
This is a fantastic result for the CHPSC boat - we are all very proud of their success.
ALSO - WRECKS IRC Overall Winner out of a very competative 50 boat fleet!
ALSO - ECHO Class 2 Overall Winner
ALSO - Inshore Racing IRC Class Overall Winner
ALSO - Inshore Racing 2nd ECHO Class
Mayhem leads the Summer Series but being chased by Darling XX and Harley Quinn
ISORA Race 10 Report: With an entry list depleted due to regular entrants racing at Cork Week, three boats came to the line for a 25 mile race. The course had proved tricky to set, with changing forecasts and a big wind shift predicted as a weak occluded front passed through, promising a damp evening but prospect for some wind during our period of racing.
With some concerns about light winds to the SE and potential for the wind to build from the North later in the night, a course was set as follow:
Pwllheli Bridge start - PSC1 - Causeway- St Tudwals Islands- Plas Heli Finish Line
The Summer Race Series has started and the 1720 team on Mayhem (Glenn Pritchard) is in the lead - the results are available here
Mojito raced to the top of the ISORA leaderboard on Saturday when they finished second overall in a 22 boat fleet in the race from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli.
The Mojito team now lead the 42 boat ISORA fleet and are now looking forward to the race from Liverpool to the isle of Man.
Jackknife is the next CHPSC team boat in 4th position Overall
The full race report and results are available in AFLOAT here
After four alternate weekends of racing, attracting 10 boats at various stages, the final weekend promised light airs and a chance for three boats to win the coveted 'Aberech Bowl'.
With Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox, away in Ireland with J109 "Mojito", the Cork 1720 "Mojito Bach" was raced by Dave Picken. Glenn Pritchard finally got his 1720 "Mayhem" onto the water for the final weekend of races, with Eleri and Brooky from "Luvly Jubbly" 1720 onboard. The two J80's "Harley Quinn", Richard Cooks "Jezebel" and J111 "Sgrech" completed this weekends entry list.
CHPSC boats Sgrech J111, Jackknife and Mojito were missing from the bay this weekend as they were competing in the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA) race out of Dun Laoghaire in Ireland.
The 50 mile race from Dun Laoghaire to Rockabill and East Kish saw 25 boats on the start line in very light airs proving very challenging.
The wind filled in from the south as the day progressed but for some the slow start was too much and they were forced to retire, but for CHPSC boats the perseverance paid off.
Stephen Tudor's new Sgrech - J111 is looking like a force to be reckoned with, taking a convincing 2nd place in both class 0 and overall. Andrew Hall's Jackknife took third spot in the same class and overall, whilst Peter and Vicky's Mojito took 1st in class 1 and 4th overall, showing why Pwllheli Sailing Club are the holders of the ISORA team prize, the Victoria Cup.
Read the ISORA Chairman's report here and check out the full results here.
Congratulations to them all. We look forward to watching the next installment.
Congratulations to Gethin Owen winning at his first attempt helming Glenn Pritchard’s Squib ‘Mayhem’ at SCYC last weekend. Great advert for youth development at Pwllheli.
The competition hots up at the Bank Holiday with a number of national champions taking to the water.
Good luck and safe sailing.
The new Sgrech, J111 test sail on Saturday 14th April 2018 - video by CHPSC member and ISORA Sponsor Richard Cook of Global Display..
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The spring series got off to a fine start at the weekend with glorious weather. Who could believe that after the last few weeks in freezing conditions we were all wearing T-shirts and shades and applying sun screen.
The wind also decided to have a little break in the warm weather too and what started as 5-6kts from the east soon became 0 - 2 after rounding the Fairway buoy, first mark on the course.
With kites up, fleet floated gently in the tide towards the next Mark no 2. Harlequin were gaining on the fleet whilst Diva took a higher, hotter route. As the wind died to nothing Harlequin left the race. As the sea breeze took over and the wind swung round to the south, it was Mojito who found themselves with the advantage. The code zero went up and they were gently on their way to the next Mark which the race office had announced as the finish to the shortened course after nearly 2 hours of racing.
As the wind filled in the fleet were able to get another spectacular race out in the bay. Mojito made an error of judgement at the start, allowing Diva a 45 second advantage but an error on the gybe home allowed Mojito to gain on the leader, finishing 18seconds behind and taking first on corrected.
Mojito lead the 4-weekend series with Bill and Greg Chiswell’s Diva 2nd and Dave&Sarah Leather’s Harlequin in 3rd place.
The next racing in the series is in two weeks’ time on the 21st and 22nd April and incorporates the ISORA coastal race on Saturday before returning to 2 short bay races on the Sunday.
Don’t miss out!! Make sure you enter here as there is still plenty to play for over the next three weekends of the challenge.
And if anyone is interested in having a go at crewing on a boat just post on the Pwllheli sailing club - racing Facebook group. There are plenty of skippers after new crew too.
After the winter (and spring!!) snow the fleet headed out for the Easter Series a little rusty, and were grateful that the winds were kind. A gentle, if not cold 9-10kts greeted them from the east with bright sunshine.
The fleet discussed the set course 23 which started towards Fairway and became a windward/leeward race between 2 and 6 before heading for the finish but as it was the first outing for many the race committee decided to be easy on the fleet and set a gentler course. Upwind to Fairway, back to 0 and on to 1 to port before heading for the Tudwalls, the bell buoy and back to 8 before heading to the finish.
The upwind leg tested the fleet, refreshing their memory after the winter. As kites went up the wind sheer was evident and after gybing the fleet were met with 90 degrees wind shifts and 13kts swirling around gimlet rock. Kites went down briefly through 0 and 1 before going back up for the long leg to the islands, accompanied by a pod of dolphins.
The islands created their usual wind shifts with winds dropping to 4kts and although they came back to 6kts once around the bell buoy it was evident that the fleet would struggle to get much more than that for the remainder of the race.
Day two and with various maintenance tasks highlighted by the previous days racing, it was agreed that the 30kt gusts were probably too much for jury rigs and the fleet agreed to cancel racing to enable full repairs in readiness for next weekend.
Everyone is looking forward to next weekend for the start of the Pwllheli Sailing Club Spring Series in what is currently forecast to be warmer dryer weather.
Come and join us on the water for the Spring Series - warning signal 1130 both days, aiming to be back in the bar for 1430-1500.
Notice of race for the Spring Series can be found here
The Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship is now included in the Celtic Cup 2018.
The Celtic Cup incorporates Championships in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
RC35 Scotland challenges sailors from Wales, Scotland and Ireland to compete in the Celtic Cup 2018. 4 great events one discard.
Who could be the RC35 Celtic Champion 2018??
Entry £30 and £5 an event.
Contact RC35 Secretary
Have you entered the Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship - if not have a look at the web site here
Congratulations to Pat and Gerallt Williams 'Pererin' who won the Spinlock Lifejacket in the super early bird prize draw ....
'Pererin' has entered the Cruiser Class of the Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship
Anotrher Prize Draw will be announced soon - enter the championship here to be included in the next Prize draw..
As we come to the closing weeks of 2017, prize giving complete and many CHPSC trophies presented, as we sip our mulled wine, all cosy amid Christmas decorations, parties and presents, it’s time to contemplate next year’s program. And in 2018 there is something for everyone, whether cruising to Ireland, racing inshore or offshore, or planning to stay in the bay.
The season starts early with a chance to tune up with other boats readying themselves for the season and once ready why not see how you fair in the Easter Series races on Easter Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
The 2018 race programme has been designed to meet the increased interest in Club Racing and we aim to provide racing to meet everyone's needs, IRC, NHC, sport-boats and white sail class.
Whether you are a regular racer, new to racing or interested in trying your first race, we would love to hear from you and answer any queries. Below is the 2018 schedule. Click on an event to get the Notice of Race (if available). If you have any questions or suggestions about it please let us know. If there is sufficient interest, we can also arrange additional race weekends - just let us know.
We look forward to seeing you out on the water and in the Club.
We aim to have a pre-race week gathering on Friday nights so that you can discuss tactics and plan your racing. There will also be a post-race gathering so that crew can share experiences in a friendly environment.
NB. The event and training pontoons offer an ideal base for racing and further information about these facilities are available on the Plas Heli web site.
The season starts early with a chance to tune up with other boats readying themselves for the season and once ready why not see how you fair in the Easter Series races on Easter Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
Click here for a pop up race Schedule
For those looking to race offshore, ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) will again be using Pwllheli and the Welsh coast to host 4 of its Global Displays coastal races throughout the season, finishing its series with the traditional Pwllheli to Dun Laoghaire race for the James Eadie Trophy. Mid-season, ISORA also have a race from Dun Laoghaire in August, acting as a feeder race to the prestigious Welsh IRC National Championships in Pwllheli.
Not in to offshore? Why not stay and enjoy the spring and summer in the bay with two great racing series scheduled, both over four weekends – two in April and two in May for the spring series and for the Summer series, two in June and one in both July and August. The ideal time to get your practice in for both the Welsh IRC National Championships and Abersoch Keelboat week the week after.
Don’t forget that the racing marks are also ideal for practicing sailing manoeuvres for cruising too. Why not head out and do the Tremadog Triangle (TT), head out whenever you feel comfortable, without pressure of other competing boats, take your own start and finish times and send them in to the club for a chance to win a trophy while practicing your moves. You can do the TT course at any time but why not join others on the Spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May, for a ‘TT weekend’ dedicated to the triangle.
Skills perfected, why not join us for a race from Pwllheli to Porthdinllaen on the first Saturday in June, returning Sunday. For those wishing to venture further afield to cruise Ireland’s South coast or for those heading for the Cork Week regatta (15th – 21st July), why not join Pwllheli’s own Cork Week Flotilla making its way to Crosshaven and returning to Pwllheli at the end of Cork week. A superb opportunity to cruise in company over to Ireland and explore to the excellent cruising ground of Irelands southwest coast.
All of that looks like an exciting year all round but let’s not forget Pwllheli’s own regatta on the first Saturday in July. Join us out on the water for a pursuit race around the bay before an entertaining evening and prizegiving at the Summer ball.
Don’t forget to renew your Pwllheli Sailing Club membership at £50 for the year or why not go for the Racing skippers’ membership for £150 for the year. This includes the normal Sailing Club membership but removes the need for repeated form filling and includes free entry into the Easter Series, Spring Series, Summer Series and September series (worth £185).
Separate entry will be needed for CHPSC stared events (the Pwllheli Autumn and Winter Series, and the Welsh IRC National Championships), and for ISORA races.
Mojito wins the Pwllheli Challenge - full series reportand photos below
Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club - Sialens Pwllheli Challenge weekend 4
After losing a weekend to "Storm Brian", the final weekend of this 16 race series promised champagne sailing conditions, with westerly winds veering to northerlies over the weekend, and the possibility of sunshine! With Big Neaps tides we elected to fit in an extra race each day to make up the races to 14. A challenge for Race Officer Robin Evans, was devising courses with many of the marks out of position, or missing following the storm. (if anyone knows where number 10 is please get in touch!)
The results for the pwllheli Challenge are available here
Mojito extends her lead but racing is close and all crews are now ready for the final day on Sunday 29th!
The racing marks have moved from their recorded positions following storm Ophelia
The new positions are as follows:
Mark No. | Latitude | Longitude |
1 | 52° 52.800' N | 004° 24.046' W |
2 | 52° 52.427' N | 004° 25.548' W |
3 | 52° 52.004' N | 004° 22.429' W |
4 | 52° 51.737' N | 004° 24.065' W |
5 | 52° 52.151' N | 004° 22.498' W |
6 | 52° 52.833' N | 004° 22.637' W |
7 | 52° 53.329' N | 004° 23.015' W |
8 | 52° 52.465' N | 004° 23.970' W |
9 | 52° 52.256' N | 004° 23.474' W |
10 | On the Beach |
By Victoria Cox and also featured in Y&Y here
The weekend had been forecast to consist of two extremes with heavy winds from the remains of Lee and Maria on Saturday followed with very light winds on Sunday. But the heavy winds came through over Friday night leaving Saturday with maximum gusts of just 16-17kts, dying off to 6-14 for the second race.
The first start saw everyone eager to get started but far too eager for the strong tide taking everyone over the start time. Pariaba crossed the start line first followed by both Jac y Do and Honey Bee coming in at the pin end followed by Mojito mid line. All four boats were fully over the start line by the time the gun went and all four were called to return. Meanwhile Theia, Legless Again and Sanderling got good clear starts as the others returned. A quick turn around was made and everyone headed to the first mark - no 2, creating many luffing matches as the faster boats returned past the fleet. Sanderling significantly luffing up Mojito to protect their wind on the way but eventually the J109 had more speed on the beat and were able to quickly overtake and head to the mark.
Kites got launched as the wind dropped off. Valkyrie and Legless Again we're making significant ground on Mojito but as Mojito gybed to the next Mark they suddenly picked up pace and pulled away from the fleet, a position they maintained all way round taking line honours and 1st overall. Legless Again had a strong performance giving them 2nd overall and 1st in class 2 with Jac y Do behind them in 3rd place and 2nd in Class 2. Will Partington's Honey Bee took 3rd in class 2 with Valkyrie taking 2nd in Class 1.
Race two and Legless Again got a perfectly timed start, evident from the starting line video which was viewed by all with gasps and cheers in the bar later. Any further forward and they would have been over. As winds dropped, Mark And Jo Thompson's J80 Jac y Do gained good ground on Mojito but couldn't quite maintain enough in the end, finishing just 32 seconds behind on corrected. With reduced winds both Darling and Valkyrie decided to retire and head in for the day.
With Lee and Maria well out of the way on Sunday, the fleet were left with very little wind and AP was flown. As wind filled in race officer Robin Evens tried his best to set a course but as soon as it was announced the wind shut off and for Pariaba, Valkyrie, Darling and Jebus the suspense was all too much and they retired from racing. For those patient enough to stay out, the wind did fill in to give some good racing, testing everyone's skills in the light airs. Tim Rouse, Sailing Theia single handed, got an exceptional start, using the tide pulling the fleet over the line to his advantage, sitting on the line then turning round on the start gun and away he went. Mojito rounded the windward mark first and hoisted their kite just as the wind shut off, allowing Diva, Honey Bee, Legless Again and Jac y Do to pass them. They managed to get the boat going and pull back the race to take another 1st in the series followed by Jac y Do and Honey Bee who also took 1st and 2nd in Class 2 with Legless Again taking 3rd in their class while Diva took a comfortable 2nd in Class 1.
Reducing winds saw more of the fleet retire but Robin managed to set another course for the remaining fleet. Again Mojito parked at the first mark and the fleet passed them. Diva also suffered in the lighter winds so decided to retire. Although Mojito managed to get ahead they were unable to shake the excellently sailed Legless Again who took 1st place overall and in class 2. Failing to make the ground needed Mojito had to settle for 3rd place behind Honey Bee with Jac y Do behind them taking 3rd in class 2.
Full results for the series can be found here
It's still all to play for in the remaining two weekends with more discards kicking in. Come and join us next on the 21st and 22nd October followed by the series finals and Autumn supper and party on the 28th and 29th October.
Despite midweek forecasts of winds gusting over 40 kts putting off a few boats from launching, there were plenty of competitors out to enjoy the first of the Pwllheli Autumn Challenge weekends, although the wine tasting and tapas night at registration the night before meant that there were plenty of fuzzy heads.
The ISORA season finale was the James Eadie race, an 80 mile offshore from Pwllhei to Dun Laoghaire last Saturday, a race that generally finalises results in all classes, but is also renown for its weather! This year gave us 20-25kt North Westerly winds and a beat from Bardsey all the way to Dun Laoghaire, with strong spring tides of up to 4 kts in the Irish Sea, and a big wind over tide at Bardsey!
The race was very important for the four competing PSC boats; Mojito and Sgrech going head to head to win both the Class 1 and the overall "Wolfs head" trophy, Jackknife to consolidate its position in Echo overall and Class 0, and Aquaplane to attempt to climb into the podium positions of Class 2
It was a long and tough sometimes brutal race, fighting the tides, over falls and confused seas, but it's pleasing to report all PSC boats completed the race, with Aquaplane the last PSC boat finishing after 17 hours 14 mins, three long hours after Mojito! Thankfully they saved us some Guinness!
After a challenging 6 month ISORA season, the series was over, with crews experiencing light winds, strong winds, beats and runs, wind holes and broaches both in day and at night. Stops in Holyhead, Dun Laoghaire and Howth amongst others, great parties at all with one of the best at Plas Heli after the Global Displays Welsh Coastal night race. It's not just the sailing that makes ISORA so special, but the banter and camaraderie amongst the crews.
So the final results from a 61 boat fleet who competed over the 14 races now confirmed and it's a great pleasure to announce Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox "Mojito" as overall series winners of the prestigious "Wolfs Head" trophy, which is on display in Plas Heli, Mojito also win Class 1 and the Global Displays Welsh Coastal series
Team "Sgrech" came 2nd overall and in class 1, after a very strong final 5 races, Jackknife took 3rd in class 0 and overall winners of the Echo division, with Aquaplane taking 3rd in Class 2
These excellent results mean CHPSC provisionally retain the "Victoria Cup" a mini series for the highest point scoring club within ISORA for another year.
Next year there will be another coastal series at Pwllheli, forming part of the ISORA series overall, and this represents an easy opportunity to experience ISORA coastal racing close to home, with a great party afterwards! Diolch yn Fawr Iawn from all the PSC boats to PSC and Plas Heli, it's members and staff for the help and support this year and to both Global Displays and Huw Tudor & Co for sponsorship of the coastal races. See you on the start line next April
Results and Information at www.isora.org
What an awesome month of keelboat racing Pwllheli Sailing Club has had!
The beginning of August saw Mojito sail off to the south coast in preparation for the Fastnet race. They had an excellent start to the race, reported to have been the first in class out of the Solent, a position that they maintained at the rock meaning they were 9th overall at the rock out of the 350 boats entered in IRC.
Did you know as part of the Spinlock IRC Welsh Nationals Championship (11-13th August) we are providing racing not only for IRC classes but also for Small Keel Boats and Cruiser Boats:
Cruiser Class, racing for cruising type boats, with free NHC handicaps supplied by race management. The class will sail just one 2-3 hour race per day, starting and finishing off the PSC club line, away from the IRC fleets.
It's a fantastic opportunity for cruisers wishing to sample some racing in an easy format with Race Officer Robin Evans setting courses which will provide some reaching legs and take in some local landmarks!
With a special entry fee of just £50 it represents an excellent way to be part of this fantastic championships and hopefully get some great racing.
Small Keelboat fleet (under 8m) will race off the PSC start and finish line and it is planned to hold 2 races a day using courses from the PSC race card or as modified by Race Officer Robin Evans. (Similar to the Pwllheli challenge)
Scored under IRC and NHC and racing around the PSC marks should provide a great racing challenge for this fleet and spectacle for shoreside supporters.
If the fleet numbers dictate entrants may be provided with a choice of joining the cruiser or IRC fleets
and the Sailing Instructions are available hereand the Sailing Instructions are available here
Pwllheli sailors are enjoying plenty of success and adventure offshore this Summer with Mojito acheiving 2nd in a tough 270 mile race from Dun Laoghaire to Dingle then race over to the Dun Laoghaire Regatta in an unofficial race after the Lyver Trophy is postponed. Mojito, Aquaplane and Jackknife all competed in the Dun Laoghaire regatta along with another local boat Luvly Jubbly, who were very successful with a 1st place in their class.
on Saturday 15th July
The fun starts with a parade of boats lead by the Pwllheli Lifeboat at 12.00. Meet at the Fairway buoy from 11am onwards.
The parade lead by RNLI Lifeboat Lilly and Vincent Anthony will head to the West End and back giving Andrew Green, who has kindly agreed to be the official photographer for the day, the chance to take pictures for the 2018 CHPSC calendar. Invite any of your friends to join the parade as it should be quite different and enjoyable. If you have any shore based friends ask them to take pictures from South Beach and we are bound to have somebody with a drone who might be willing to film the event.
As soon as the parade has finished there will be a friendly race, starting on a committee boat start between Gimlet and mark number 1. It is anticipated that the race will be two laps leaving marks 1, 2 and 3 to port and back to the start/finish line but thios will be confirmed on the day based on wind directions. It is hoped that the down wind legs will give plenty of opportunity for photos of brightly coloured spinnakers and the winner of the race will be presented with a trophy at the Summer Ball on Saturday evening.
Race organisers are very pleased with the entries for the Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship on 11th to 13th August
Entries are recorded in all classes and the the social calendar is featured on the web site
If you have not yet entered
please ENTER now
Mojito continues with her successful offshore racing form with a second overall in the punishing 275 mile race from Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race out of 43 competitors
Jackknife - unconfirmed reports that Jackknife won the prestigious Midnight Race from Liverpool to Douglas
Congratulations to both and all of their crew.
Mojito had another exceptional performance in the 5th ISORA race for Howth - around Lambay Island and to the first finish off Baily Head - Mojito was first overall in this part of the race.
The fleet continued through the first finish line to complete the second race at the entrance to Dublin Port - Mojito was second overall out of a fleet of 25 starters - Mojito is now leading the ISORA series with a handsome lead. Congratulations
The full story was reported in AFLOAT.ie here
The 4th ISORA Race on Saturday 27th May was from Dun Laoghaire to Arklow a sixty mile race down the Irish East Coast.
Mojito again had a fantastic race with a second overall result. She is now now the leading boat in the ISORA 2017 series and is the only boat in the 50-boat fleet to have a podium placing in every race so far! Exceptional performance..
MOJO also had a great race with a sixth placing overall - congratulations.
The full race report and results are available on the ISORA web site here
Next race is the 3rd June and then the D2D on 14th June. Full report and results on Saturdays race are on the ISORA web site here
All CHPSC boats had a great race in a challenging but satisfying ISORA offshore race from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire on Saturday 13th May, with very good results for all our crews.
Jackknife achieved line honours in a 32 boat fleet just beating the very impressive and fast open forty, Forty Shades, who is now moored in Pwllheli.
Mojito had a fantastic race with 3rd Overall and first in Class1 - congratulations to Peter and Vicky on the Mojito team.
After three races in the 14 race series Mojito and Sgrech are 1st and 2nd with Jackknife in 5th place in IRC, with Mojo and Aquaplane top of the ECHO leader board.
Darling xx also had an impressive first ISORA race - well done.
Next race is the 27th May from Dun Laoghaire to Arklow. Full report on Saturdays race on the ISORA web site here
May-Day Regatta - Vicky Cox
As the May Day bank holiday weekend started it looked like it was going to be with typical UK bank holiday weather but the heavy showers cleared just as the fleet headed out for racing in anything from 16-22kts from SSE.
First race and 'Mojito' got a good start but as they struggled in the chop 'Sgrech' were gaining on them. The failure to recognise the wind bend as they headed away offshore meant that 'Mojito' over-stood the windward mark allowing the rest of the fleet to gain on them. Downwind and 'Mojito' hoisted the kite while 'Sgrech' stuck with white sails, a chance for 'Mojito to regain their comfortable lead but a struggle to gybe meant that their spinnaker had to come down to allow them to get up to the mark and 'Sgrech' took the lead.
By Vicky Ciox (Mojito) - Results here
ISORA race 2 was the Pwllheli Castle Race, the first of a three race coastal series within the full ISORA series, and sponsored by Global displays.
The sister race to the Irish side's 'Dun Laoghaire to Wicklow' race also saw light winds and a fair weather forecast. On the pontoons the fleet saw an encouraging 12 kts on the instruments but heading out to the start line at Gimlet rock confirmed that the NW-NNW was going to make things interesting. With winds coming over the hills, flat seas were created but also very light, gusty and shifty conditions.
There had been much talk about code zeros at Plas Heli the night before but in reality the course was one big, 2, mile, windward-leeward starting with a short reach to Pwllheli Sailing Club (PSC) mark number 10, an 11 mile run down to the Sarn Badrig (Causeway buoy), an 11 mile beat back to PSC mark number 3 and another short reach to the PSC offshore finish line and all avoiding the racing areas used by the 120 competitors in the Welsh Youth Championships being hosted in Pwllheli
Mojito and Jackknife got off to a good start but Mojito fell into the wind of North Star, a first 40.7 and welcome newcomer to ISORA. Meanwhile last years winners Sgrech found clear air but the higher route meant they needed to cover more distance to the first mark. Jackknife rounded first followed by North Star and Mojito on their transom, up went the kites.
The the whole fleet enjoying the steady northerly breeze, sunshine, stunning views of both The Llyn Peninsula and the mountains of Snowdonia and dolphins!
by Mark Thompson today at 8:10 pm
15-17 April 2017
With changeable weather forecast, a variety of racing formats were arranged to satisfy the differing boats entering the series, over the long weekend.
Day 1 was a 16 mile coastal course from Pwllheli to St Tudwal's West and down to Pen -Y-Chain, before returning on a dog leg via PSC6. Great sailing conditions and this race was won by Mojito with Aquaplane 2nd.
Day 2 had two 8 mile windward/leeward courses in a blustery and showery southwesterly, with fully crewed boats making the most of the conditions. Mojito won both races with Jackknife second.
Day 3, a triangular course was devised for both races, with champagne sailing in a shifty north westerly wind. Both races won by J80 Jac-Y-Do with Blue Sky 2nd.
This gave the series win to J109 Mojito (Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox) with 2nd place to Jac-Y-Do (Jack Thompson).
The Easter Racing results are available here
The latest Triangle Results are avauilable here
Next racing is the ISORA/CHPSC Coastal race, sponsored by Global Displays next Saturday
Follow this link here for a A QUICK OVERVIEW of the SIGNIFICANT RULE and GAME CHANGES in the 2017-2020 RACING RULES OF SAILING by Dave Perry excerpted from Dave Perry’s Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2020 available from the US Sailing Store (www.ussailing.org or 1-800 US SAIL-1)
What a super weekend of racing! The weather couldn't have been better so early in the year with possibly the first of the sun screen for many.
After an AP the wind filled in to 14kts and the fleet headed over to Abersoch for two windward-leeward legs separated by a trip around the Tudwalls and finishing amongst the toppers at the Fairway. Two super days of sailing in the April series.
Next racing is Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a 10am start.
Come and join in the fun..
The date has now been set for the 2017 Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship - 11th, 12th and 13th August 2017. Please put it in your diary now!
The Notice of Race will be published shortly and there are already indications of participation from all corners of the Irish Sea catchment area.
We are getting ready for the 2017 racing season and the CHPSC Race Pack has been updated- take a look here.
The Racing Chart has also been updated and you can download your copy from the Race Pack (or just click on this image). The new Chart incorporates the new racing mark - No. 10 (located 1.7NM east of the harbour entrance).
Remember - everything that you need for racing in Pwllheli can be found in the Race Pack.
Pwllheli Sailing Club has again won the ISORA Team Championship with 1st (Sgrech), 2nd (Mojito) and 5th (Jackknife) overall places for the 12 race series.
Sgrech won the last race from Pwllheli to Dun Laoghaire on Saturday 10th September which gave her the overall win for the season for the Woolf's Head which will be presented at the annual AGM and Dinner on 12th November.
The CHPSC team will also collect the Overall team trophy and team Aquaplane will collect the Silver Class Overall win
A great offshore season for all Pwllheli boats and the full report can be read here
Congratulations Mojito - winners of the ISORA Race from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli - results available on the ISORA web site here
The results of the 8th 2016 AveryCrest ISORA race is available here
This was the night race from Abersoch to Pwllheli starting at 19.30hrs from the bridge of SCYC providing a spectacle for the hundreds gathered there for the start of Abersoch Dinghy Week.
The committee had decided on a course for the forecasted light winds which was a factor in the smaller than expected fleet size.
The first leg form the start provided a close fetch to the St Tudwal's Islands and Mojito was the only competitor to try their code Zero. On rounding St Tudwal's Island West the fleet turned east on a run, in the mist, to Madog Fairway Buoy.
The next leg west was a 14 mile close fetch to the flashing lights of the Pwllheli mark 'O'. Sgrech managed to fly her Code Zero for most of this leg recording great speeds.
The last leg was a run to the finish - a line from the Plas Heli bridge, the National Sailing Academy to the Pwllheli Fairway Buoy. ISORA vice Chairman and former CHPSC Commodore Gerry Williams with assistance from Gwen recorded the competitors finishing times.
Andrew Hall's Jackknife took line honours followed by J109 Sgrech and then Mojito. Sgrech was the Class One winner and overall winner.
Silver fleet was won by the Aquaplane team, Mark, Jo and Jack Thompson, who are now strong contenders to become the Silver Class Champions.
The crews were all invited to the top deck at Plas Heli to a reception where local beer, Cwrw Llyn, was provided by our race sponsor, Tudor Estate Agents. The beer was gratefully consumed whilst comparing notes and discussing racing options and tactics. Ella Trout's Roger Fitzgerald, a regular on the Jester Challenge said he would be back for more ISORA racing.
Calling all interested Sailors, Yachtsmen and Sailing Event Volunteers!
Racing Rules for Safety Crew and Mark Layers
Join us at Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club for another one of our winter seminars.
Speaker: David Battye - National Judge and National Umpire
Topics Covered:
Fair sailing and gross misconduct
Outside help to redress
Sailing the course
Touching a mark
When: Iau , Gorffenaf 7 July Thursday 19:00
Where: Plas Heli
JUNE SERIES RACING WEEKEND incorporating the Pwllheli Shuffle 25/26th June 2016
Racing marks for "Pwllheli Shuffle" 25th June 2016
Start 7 2 3 4 10 Finish
Marks can be passed in any order ... Marks to be "rounded" as per normal racing rules! (No short cuts! )
Start any time before 2pm
Email elapsed time and boat name/model when completed to:
Take a note of time past each Mark in case of disputes!
THE RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE HERE
Mojito 1st Overall at 0645hrs Sunday 19th June - well done!
We all wish Mojito a safe and fast race in the 2016 Round Ireland Race.
6 Boats came to the line for a 6.45 mile triangular course, around the west end mark (2), to number 8, and to the new number 10 mark, just off Aberech beach (also known as Sam Buoy thanks to the effort of Sammo Jones who renovated and laid this mark earlier in the year).
A clean start was called by Robin Evans, and all 6 boats enjoyed a beat down towards the first mark, followed by a run to number 8, the decision then was whether to put a spinnaker up for the long leg to number 10, “To me to you” was the first boat to attempt this, but had some issues! “Jac y do” rounded number 8 first, and elected to broad reach down to number 10, under white sails, as the wind was veering..
The whole fleet was making good progress, with fast boat speeds in the smooth water and glorious views of Snowdonia. For those able to look up! Sighting number 10 was tricky, blending into the beach! A tight beat towards the finish with “To me to you” taking line honours and all boats got round in a very close timescale.
Racing Sunday 29th at Pwllheli ….Midday start, spinnaker and white sails course.
Planning a triangle with two laps.
PSC bridge start. Meet Plas Heli 1030 to decide course or call on channel 17 at 1145
Race Co-ordinator Mark Thompson - 07966490414 or by
PSC2 – Ynysoedd Gwylan - Causeway Buoy - PSC2
A view from Aquaplane!
The day dawned brightly, and the wind built as forecast, giving all 6 boats a decent start with a reach to PSC 2 West End mark. We like reaching legs on Aquaplane….we can keep up! Round the mark it was spinnakers up for a nice ride down to St Tuds..
Read more: P2P Race - Long Coastal Bay Race - Results & Report
(see new definition of Finish)
The results are published and available here
A great race starting from the traditional Pwllheli start line along the beach to PSC No.2 and then a coastal scenic course to Aberdaron Bay and around Gwylan Islands - then spinnakers up on the leg to Causeway Buoy. Then a hard beat back to PSC No. 2 and then to the new finish line using the Academy bridge.
Jackknife kept her early lead throughout the race for line honours and overall win.
A full race report will be published here when available.
The wind forecast for Easter Saturday and Sunday (gusting up to 45kts) crews will be spending their time preparing and fine tuning their boats.
Racing is, however, being arranged for Easter Monday. If you wouold like to join Mojito, Aquaplane, Just Jay (and possibly Jetstream too) please e-mail to let us know - or just turn up on the pontoons.
Racing will start at 1000(BST/local time) and the crews plab to be back in around 1400.
The date for the 'Pwllheli Sailing Shuffle' has been set - 25/26th June - put it in your calendar!
This is part of the new racing initiative for 2016 to attract new racers in a fun and friendly environment. Entry is available for anyone - you don't need to have your boat measured - just enter and race.
The above weekend racing is part of a number of measures being used this season to encourage more boats into racing.
Other ideas which wil be incorporated into the racing programme ar:
Information for CHPSC racing is now published on the web site. We would be delighted to receive suggestions so that we can imnprove the racing experience for the 2016 season.
More details here and please look at the 'Racing Information Pack' and 'draft 2016 Race programme'.
The results for the Pwllheli Challenge (IRC and NHC) and Bart's Bash are all available here.
Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club has won the ISORA team trophy with Jackknife 2nd Overall, Mojito 3rd Overall and Sgrech 4th Overall.
This is a great acheivement for CHPSC to win this trophy in a fleet of 51 boats and this continues the great offshore tradition in the club.
The 2015 event was promoted in the yachting press, including the IRC year book, and received the attention of the Irish yachting press. The Championship was also promoted with attractive event flyers and by newsletters and flyers. We worked closely with ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) who also helped in the promotion.
Read more: Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championship 2015 - Report
We hosted the Spinlock IRC Welsh National Championships on 21st to 23rd August and there are great images of the event on the Championship web-site.
You can also replay the races with the race tracking.
To obtain more information about the event please visit the Championship web site here.
The course was confirmed at 1730hrs on Friday and this took the fleet to Gwylan Islands in Aberdaron Bay and back to Pwllheli. The competitors were able to take advantage of the fantastic scenery of the coastline until it went dark and then the cloudless night provided a spectacular show of start and shooting stars.
Jackknife led the fleet and was first to round Gwylan Islands with Sgrech closing the gap and in contention.
The wind varied constantly and kept the crews on their toes with many sail changes and dodging windless traps on the way.
There is a strong J boat challenge with Storm from Howth Yacht Club ready to do battle with the local Pwllheli J109 fleet; Sgrech, Jeepster and Jetstream. The Dún Laoghaire boats include Cri Cri, Gringo and Tsunami who return to Pwllheli again this year after enjoying their visit last year.
We also welcome competitors from South Wales; Forward Thinking from Cardiff and Dark Angel from Swansea.
Local contenders from neighbouring SCYC include Richard Fildes' Corby 'Imposter' and J97 'Ingenious' both usually on the podium.
Liverpool Yacht Club entries include Diva, Legless Again, Eazi Tiger, Badabing, Di Rich and Kerageous.
The Racing Marks are now on station and ready for racing
The marks have been painted yellow to comply with the requirements of Trinity House.
Mark No. 8 shown in the photograph is now fitted with a mast for identification purposes.
The other marks are also painted yellow but are NOT fitted with a mast.
A Matrix giving distance and course from one CHPSC mark to another. This is provided to assist competitors
A Chartlet of the bay showing the position of the Racing marks. A must have item in the cockpit whilst racing!
A library of all CHPSC courses
The full list of racing marks and buoys with coordinates - is available in pdf format. Available by following the link