Abersoch Mirror Week at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

Abersoch Mirror Week © Amanda Greaves

Abersoch Mirror Week © Amanda Greaves

Abersoch Mirror Week © Amanda Greaves

Something for everyone in the premier family Mirror regatta

Once again, the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club proved its popularity as a venue for the Mirror class with more competitors at Abersoch Mirror Week 2010 than at the Nationals. 48 entries included visitors from as far as the Isle of Wight and Yorkshire to enjoy the family fun that this regatta brings. Despite the European Championships cheekily being organised to clash with Mirror Week, there was the usual mix of up and coming young guns, seasoned old dogs, mid-fleet contents and nervous novices. The intense competition at the front of the fleet was complemented perfectly by the relaxed good manners by those enjoying a more leisurely pace. Some appeared to have new sails, others rumoured still to be sweeping last winter’s leaves from the side decks as they made their way the short distance to the first start line. Racing was held within the moorings on triangular courses, set short enough for entertaining mark roundings for some and to allow others simply to finish the course safely. Fair and varied start lines were set by Andy Teague, excelling for the first time as Mirror Week PRO, with brand new boats rubbing gunwales with some nearly as old as the most experienced competitors. Two races were held back to back each day in pleasant F2 to 4 breezes, with crew changeovers permitted between races.

Racing was dominated by the crew work of Brown sisters, who won all but one race between them. Overall, however, it was Charlotte who, once again, allowed James Hazlewood to steer to the defence of their title in commanding fashion. This year, Hannah ensured that Emily Peters was able to take runners up spot. The youngest boy crew in the fleet, six year old George Edwards, crossed the line milliseconds in front of dad John in every race, with their wooden boat showing particularly good pace to take the gun in Race 2 and third position overall. Katie Budd press ganged several helms to take her round to fourth overall. Special mention should also go to young Rebecca Greaves and Jemma Viney, who were denied their well-deserved victory in Race 8 at the very last mark by the sneaking past of James and Charlotte. They did not gain the opportunity to seek revenge, with Friday spent enjoying bacon cobs in the Cove watching windsurfers grace the bay in breeze a tad too strong for close-quarters Mirror sailing.

In the afternoons, the marks were brought closer together to allow practice and coaching from RIBs, an aspect that is likely to be developed in the future.

Following the generous tradition of the organisers, everyone received at least one prize for their endeavour, with dozens of diverse special award certificates being earned during the week. Competitors were treated during prize giving to a fine slide show of on-the-water action courtesy of Amanda Greaves, supplemented by the generous donation of scores of photographs by committee boat skipper Don Smith. The social programme was also varied and well attended: the barbeque was held by chance on a fine evening, karaoke night strains (?) drifted across the bay and the legendary Mirror Drive engaged all furiously.

Thanks to Andy, Don and their support team on and off the water at SCYC for delivering the fantastic regatta that keeps competitors returning year after year.

Overall Results: