Cardigan Bay Regatta 2022 at New Quay Yacht Club
by Chris Seal 23 Aug 2022 18:57 BST
18-20 August 2022
Cardigan Bay Regatta 2022 © Pete Thomas
Katabatic Klean Sweep
Strong winds but clear skies welcomed back the biggest 'town regatta' in West Wales after a 3 year Covid-enforced sabbatical. Keelboats, dinghies and inshore sports were blessed with glorious sunshine which attracted good crowds on the pier and entrants into the kayaks and paddleboard racing, although some swimming races were short on numbers - but not on enthusiasm!
In the Keelboats, Mark Willis' Katabatic (First Class 8) reigned supreme, revelling in boat-breaking conditions of a WSW F5-6 (and possibly F7 at times). She won all 4 races on IRC and was worthy winner of the Montrose Trophy.
Following behind included Martin Seal's Cara of Menai (Fulmar), the Hawk 20s of Steve Berry and Crawford McLeary and in NHC, Rees Tom Jones' True Companion and Carl Rich's Blythe Spirit.
The Passage Race from Fishguard was won by Chris Willis' Rodmar and second, Cara of Menai (both Fulmars).
The dinghy sailors had to contend with big shifts and gusts in the lee of Pen-y-Graig and all suffered a number of capsizes. Inevitably, there were breakages and retirements that kept the Support Boats busy but despite the difficult conditions some great racing was had. The silverware was shared between Henry Powell (Topper), Jonny Everett (SuperNova) and Bronny Thomas (Laser 4.7).
Overall, however, Bronny in her first outing in a Laser 4.7 (hired from the Cardigan Bay Watersports Centre for the event) won the Christine Seal Trophy for best overall helm as well as best Youth and Lady Helm. First 'Master' was Hannah Schaffer also in a Laser 4.7 and most improved U21 was Steffan Williams (Topper) - ultimately, everyone came ashore tired but exhilarated.
Many thanks to the town Regatta Committee for resurrecting this iconic event and we hope it will recover to its pre-Covid levels of numbers and entrants in the coming years.
Find out more at www.cardiganbayregatta.co.uk