Copied with consent from Afloat.ie
The New Mojoito
The potent J122E cruiser-racer Scottish 'El Gran Senor' from the Clyde Cruising Club will be renamed under new ownership when she embarks on her 2024 summer season, which includes next month's ISORA 2024 Offshore Series on the Irish Sea, Cork Week, the J Cup, IRC Europeans, ICRA Nationals, and the Pwllheli Challenge at the end of September.
Jonathan Anderson's navy blue-hulled 40-footer is now owned by former ISORA champions Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox from Pwllheli. They are moving up from their all-conquering J109, Mojito.
The move was prompted by the trend towards an increasingly bigger, faster fleet that makes it more and more difficult to race in the same conditions in the smaller J109.
Anderson's last Irish waters foray in 'El Gran Senor' was his second overall in the offshore class at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023 last July, and before that, it was third overall in the Coastal Class at June's Sovereign's Cup off Kinsale in county Cork.
Cox explained it has been a busy start to the 2024 season for the 2022 ISORA Champions in changing boats "All focus has been on selling the J109, getting the J122e up to the spec we are used to on Mojito and of course transferring branding. We couldn’t really race out of Pwllheli with the Saltire emblazoned on the hull could we!"
Cox revealed their new boat will be renamed Mojito in keeping with campaign tradition.
"It has been known for people to wave and hail ‘Mojito’ when they bump into us in town if they only know us through sailing, so we couldn’t really leave that name behind. In fact, the name has moved with us from the start. From a Bavaria 39 Cruiser when we first met, briefly through an Elan 350 to the J109", she explained.
Cox concedes that while she didn’t "personally see the need to change our old friend, the 109, as we know how she works and know what she likes to perform, racing offshore against an increasingly bigger, faster fleet makes it more and more difficult to race in the same conditions".
"I can’t deny that we have benefited many times when winds have died and we’ve found ourselves up level with them on the water and had some fine results in the process" she pointed out.
"Conversely, there have also been times when we’ve been left floating in the bay for the night whilst the crews of bigger boats were all ensconced in the bar enjoying full refreshments before the wind shut off", she acknowledged to Afloat.
"I must admit getting back to the space available on a 40-foot boat is very welcome, and the guys from Scotland have definitely shown us that the J122e is capable of a trophy or two," Cox said.
It will be a busy season for the Mojito crew with the ISORA races starting in April, the IRC Welsh Championships to defend in Pwllheli (17th to 19th May), Cork Week in Cork Harbour, the J Cup, IRC Europeans and the ICRA nationals all from the Royal Irish on Dublin Bay before returning for the Pwllheli Challenge at the end of September.
"There’s no doubt that we’ll be starting on a learning curve this season, but we’re looking forward to having plenty of fun in the process", Cox admits.
It is with great sadness we mark the passing of Brian Metcalf a loyal friend of CHPSC.
Brian helped with race management at the club and was a regular on the VHF radio welcoming racing boats over the line, often at early hours of the morning.
We will provide more information about Brian and funeral arrangements shortly.
Andrew and Sam Hall had a great result in the RORC Caribean 600 - a very chalenging 600 mile race around the Caribbean Isklands starting and finishing in Antigua.
Congratulations from all at CHPSC.
Andrew and Sam Hall and the Crew of PataNegra
First of all, wishing Andrew and Sam Hall (and crew) on Pata Negra good speed on the final leg of the Caribbean 600. With just 80 miles to go, they are looking well placed for a top spot in their class.
And now, back to the sailing year ahead... It’s a busy year in the racing calendar this year with a significant increase in events both closer to home and further afield. Our Pwllheli racing calendar has been updated to work around these events so that we don’t spread the fleet out too much and compromise sailing in the bay. Please make sure you download the up to date program as it has changed from that issued at New Year.
We’ve also been working closely with South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club further along the coast, to try and bring boats together for even better racing during the summer. As soon as we have more information we’ll update you with details. For now though, lets looks forward to sailing in the spring.
As always we’ll get together gently with a tuning weekend over Easter. Weather permitting, many boats will be aiming to launch from mid March onwards so they can tuning up and check running rigging - all the more important for skipper of the many new boats on the scene. Good Friday or Easter Saturday give opportunity for an impromptu line up before the first official race so keep in touch with other skippers, either in Plas Heli or on the racing and berth holders WhatsApp groups to see if anyone else is interested.
The first official race of the season is a coastal race on Easter Sunday. With longer legs between manoeuvres, this is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the boat and to train new crews. Skippers are always looking for more crew so if anyone is interested in getting out on the water, just come into Plas Heli and have a chat. I’ve never known a skipper that doesn’t enjoy a good chat about sailing so come in and join us and find out more.
As always, our Pwllheli sailors love a good party and what better time than straight after the Easter coastal race where we can discuss the days experiences and enjoy some refreshments. Don’t forget to book tickets to the Easter party in advance directly with Sean.
If anyone still has sea legs on Easter Monday, there’s time for a couple of short races before heading home. Warning signal at 1100 with race comms on VHF channel 17 and back in time for a late lunch.
Spring racing then continues with two weekends in April, both consisting of a coastal race on the Saturday followed by two round the cans shorter races on the Sunday. The last weekend of the Spring Series is the 11th and 12th May with round the can racing both days to get everyone prepared for the Welsh IRC Nationals the following weekend. The 11th May also sees the arrival of the ISORA fleet from Dun Laoghaire to take part in the event.
As always, keep an eye on the club website and WhatsApp groups for up to date racing information.
Happy Sailing!
Hwyl