Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race at Red Wharf Bay Sailing Club
by Steve Norris 11 Aug 2014 13:07 BST
10 August 2014
Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race 2014 © Steve Norris
Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club hosted their 49th annual Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race on Sunday August 10th. The event was dominated by the impact of the tail of Hurricane Bertha with Gales expected in the Irish Sea for the mid afternoon. With such a deteriorating forecast the Race Officer, Jez Entwistle, wisely decided against sailing the offshore course. The safety fleet having arrived by road at the start line in Beaumaris made it possible to sail a 'storm course' from the Royal Anglesey line, and staying in the Menai Straits.
2 postponements due to no wind were needed up until an eventual start in a freshening Force 3 at midday.
34 competitors set out on a windward leeward course towards the first mark near Bangor pier This was followed by a run back to Beaumaris. The winds began to freshen during the second beat, and the 2nd run experienced gusts up to Force 6. The race was shortened after 90 minutes on the Royal Anglesey line.
27 boats finished, with the might of Bertha arriving as expected 2 hours later.
Red Wharf Bay were very grateful for the sponsorship of Iain McLaverty Wealth Management,Rain and Sun Boat covers, and also to the Royal Anglesey Yacht Club for the use of their facilities during the day.
Overall Results:
1st overall, Jon Williams / Pippa Rogers, Hornet (PDSC)
1st slow handicap, Dave Clark, Laser Radial (Shotwick)
1st GP14, Brian Jones / Selwyn Jones, Llyn Brenig
1st Phantom, Chris Biglin (Shustoke)
1st Lady, Pippa Rogers (PDSC)
1st RWBSWC member, Peter Halliwell (helm)
1st RWBSWC member, Cerys Bool (crew)