On a gloriously sunny afternoon (all I’ve got’s a sunny afternoooooon... in the summertime...), 12 boats turned up for the first and second races of the mid-series. The fairly steady F2 breeze was a welcome change after the disastrous winds of Coppet Week. There was a good sized Laser fleet this week, with six Lasers starting the first race. Jo and trainees Simon, Eloise and Morgan in the Laser 2000 also joined in the race having completed their Level 1 course over the weekend. A Monkstone-Pendine-Harbour course was set and the five minute countdown began. Most boats finished after two laps, however the fastest four completed three laps. There was a closely contested battle between Ben in the Laser Radial and Keith in a Standard Laser on the water, however Ben managed to pass Keith and cross the line before him. The overall positions were Ed in the RS100 in first, Ben in his Radial in second and Dave in the Contender in third.

The second race began in earnest. The course remained the same as the first race and the breeze remained steady. nine boats started the second race. Once again, the fastest few boats did a third lap however most finished after two laps. As the lasers were nearing the end of their second lap, the wind shifted through 180 degrees, causing a shock for the sailors closing in on the line! However, there was some confusion at the finish line, as some didn’t know the course had been shortened, so proceeded to start a third lap when they should have finished! This time, Ben came first, Ed came in second and Lloyd is his Radial was third. Thanks as ever to Alan and Martin on OOD and Alison and James on rescue cover.

Well done to Eloise, Morgan and Bethan for gaining their Stage 1 sailing qualification and to Simon for gaining his Level 1 qualification. Hopefully we you all out on the water soon for social sailing and racing. Huge thanks go to Jo, Malcolm and Ben teaching the trainees to sail.

Whilst they’ve been in Cardiff, I and several club members have been to see the Volvo Ocean Racing Yachts, and what an amazing sight! People have enjoyed watching the In-Port race, wandering around the information stands and waving them off for their next leg to Gothenburg in Sweden. It was a fantastic opportunity to see these boats and to learn more about the Volvo Ocean Race!

Over the Whitsun holidays, the rowing club went to Cork for the annual Ocean to City rowing race. Two boats raced in this spectacular event, aptly named The Guinness Hunters and Oarsome Craic! The Guinness Hunters completed the race in two hours 42 minutes and Oarsome Craic competed the race in two hours 48 minutes. Huge thanks to those who organised and coordinated the event and well done to all who competed.

Gypsea Girl