Tenby Sailing Club Regatta
by Ted Lewis 27 Jun 2016 09:03 BST
25-26 June 2016
Tenby Sailing Club Regatta © Ted Lewis
The TSC regatta took place over the weekend just gone. Three races in the bay on Saturday then the round Caldey long distance race on Sunday.
The weather was not quite as good as usual in West Wales; drizzle early Saturday gave way to sunshine and a force 3-4 for the afternoon racing. Thirty boats of various classes, but dominated by 12 Ospreys, enjoyed three classic triangular course races with belting three sail reaches and back in to the club for ko in the footy at 5pm. Dan Jackson from the home club sailing an RS600 took the honours overall, from the Roses in a Scorpion and Chris Martin and George in a Merlin.
On Sunday a slow start in light south westerly (and unusually for Wales, light drizzle) a slightly larger fleet set off for the round Caldey Island race. The wind rose as the race went on, and was funnelled through Caldey Sound increasing its effect. A starboard biased line saw chaos initially but good humour triumphed and the fleet escaped without a recall. The fast outgoing tide offered several chances to boats in the rear to make up lost time, particularly through Caldey Sound where a well timed tack could earn half a dozen places or more. Around the back of the Island boats bore off and then spinnakers were hoisted for the return leg. Many were deceived by the finish mark left in Tenby North Bay rather than heading for the outer distance mark off Monkstone (despite clear advice at the briefing), but eventually the entire fleet sailed the full correct course including some exciting reaching in a rising wind of force four or more. In the end it was the Laser of Steve Rich who took the honours from the home Osprey of Ted and Lucas followed by the Merlin of Chris Martin and George.
At the prize giving in the club house later on Sunday, all wanted to know the outcome of the team prize. This is a cash pot of £500 offered by courtesy of sponsorship from Lewis Lewis & Co Ltd, local solicitors of Tenby, St Clears and Carmarthen, for the most successful of teams of five boats over the regatta week end. This year the prize was taken by Coppet Crusaders from Saundersfoot, and many congratulations to them, but much to the chagrin of the Tata Tarts trying to repeat their success last year, and a couple of teams from the local club. Better luck next year!
Another really successful and fun regatta at Tenby; thanks to all visitors for coming and hope to see you all again next year, with teams from your various clubs to get after that cash!