The SCYC Squib Welsh Open got underway on Sunday August 4th and the blustery conditions made for some exciting downwind action all day.
Race 1. Harry VI was a little premature at the pin so Mayhem got away best, closely followed by Bacchante. Beating through the moorings was interesting in 18-20 knots of breeze. Mayhem took the win.
Race 2. Plenty of committee-boat- end action for the Race Management to see. Mayhem kept Cariad Bach out at the start but was slow off the line. HarryV1 got away and stretched out a good lead. By the second lap it was a race for 2nd place. 5 boats screaming downwind in 25 knot gusts to the leeward mark finish. Cariad Bach held the inside from Five( Magic Flute) Mayhem, Bacchante and Moonstone. Some exceptional helming from experienced sailors got the boats over the line with no drama.
After a rest day it was perfect sunshine and 16-18 knots of breeze for the SCYC fleet.
Race 3. Mayhem got buried on the pin at the start so tacked inshore leaving the fleet going left. A canny early tack for the lay line paid off and Mayhem rounded the windward mark in the lead leaving Moonstone and Cariad Bach to give chase down the run. Very close racing up the second beat saw Magic Flute join the party. Down the last run Mayhem held on for a narrow win closely followed by Moonstone going very fast and Cariad Bach.
Race 4. The wind went a bit left so the Race Management moved the windward mark to compensate. After plenty more committee boat action at the start Harry VI got away up the first beat and extended down the run. The second beat was very close with 4 boats cross-tacking, Moonstone and Cariad Bach looking good halfway up the beat. By the windward mark Harry V1 had got away. Mayhem just squeezed in second closely flowed by Moonstone Cariad Bach and Magic Flute. Second place was up for grabs. 20 yards from the leeward mark Cariad Bach hooked into a great gust and wave and surged ahead of Mayhem and edged in front of Moonstone for second place. Incredibly close racing today as the results show.
After 2 days blown off the Welsh Squib Open came down to the final day. It was another windy one, 19-23 knots but the sun was shining. Three races planned so 2 discards would apply, and it was any one of a handful of boats’ for the taking. Three different winners on the day showing the strength of depth in the fleet but at the final count Dave Best and Glenn Pritchard emerged clear ahead on points in Mayhem.
The results speak for themselves however they do not reflect just how close these finishes were. The last race had 5 boat cross-tacking to the finish within 10 seconds of each other.
A great event, thanks to all involved.