A perfect week of good weather and only one truly wet day greeted the 153 entries to this years event at the South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club celebrating their centenary year.
All races were completed during the week with a good sailing breeze every day. A return to starts in shore in front of the Club seemed to be well received by all competitors who were treated to a 9 race series in good conditions culminating in a one off Friday Centenary race with two mass starts from the club line that were sailed in perfect sunny conditions and 10-12 knots.
The coached regatta fleet managed by our own team proved very successful with 9 young sailors experiencing racing on the sea,many for the first time, and according to the coaches huge improvements were seen as the week progressed. Well done to you all.
Highlights in the various fleets were the performances of several sailors who kept the shore based spectators enthralled.
Freya Antonelli Budworth in the Toppers and Mia Hateley (sorry crew name not known)in the Fevas were both worthy winners of their respective fleets and recipients of the first Junior trophies. Other standout performers included Richard Wadsworth in his RS700 that won overall in the mixed RS fleet closely pursued by the Marsh's in their RS400.
The RS200 of Karen Oldale and Jo Hewitson were third overall and first 200.
One of the most interesting fleets was the fast symmetrical double handlers that was won by a 420 sailed by Jasper Bramwell and Olly Hateley, with 2nd place the Wayfarer of Louise Mckeand and Nigel Hall with the South Staffs GP14 of the Hateley's 3rd.
Three of the slowest boats in the fleet that dented the aspirations of many faster craft.
The Crewsaver Team prize was awarded to the Club with the three best results in 3 different fleets. Felinheli emerged as the winners with Josh Metcalfe first in the ILCA 7's Dave Jones First in the ILCA 6's and Thomas Venning 2nd in the Toppers. Well done all.
The Centenary race on Friday was a stand-alone race and looks to become a permanent fixture.
The mass start format for morning fleets at 11.00and the afternoon fleets at 1400 attracted a great entry of over 100 boats but also allowed those on Friday to Friday lets or travelling on to another sailing week the chance to get away early.
Winner of the morning race was Hamish Gledhill of West Riding SC in a Laser and in the afternoon the RS800 of Louis Johnson and Lucy Hewitson were victorious.
Abersoch Dinghy week is not just about the sailing and the socials this year were well organised and consisted of a Quiz night on Tuesday plus a great value Steak night in the Cove,the front half of Elephant Juice played on Monday as always a great night and finally a new band to SCYC "Supa Nova" played to a very lively and exuberant crowd that created their own Glastonbury experience.
All events of this type with over 150 boats takes an enormous effort by many members and club staff alike and far too many to mention here but suffice to say a huge thank you to all.
Next year's event will be the same format as sailed in 2024 from Sunday 20th July to Friday 25th July 2025.
Sunday to Thursday: 9 race series for all fleets.
Friday: Combined fleet races with mass starts for the morning and afternoon fleets.
The coached regatta fleet for novice racers will run every morning from the beach.
The Notice of Race and entry forms for next year will be available on the club website from January 2025.
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