Noble Marine 2023 Albacore Internationals at Abersoch - Day 2

Albacore Internationals 2017 at the WPNSA day 1 © Pauline Rook

Abersoch delivered an epic day for the Albacores with a base wind of 16 knots gusting 24 knots, with a SW breeze producing proper surfing conditions. To add to some of the carnage that produced, we got controversy with effectively two winners! To be continued...

So to the racing, our race officer Malcolm Blackburn set a windward leeward course and with no delay got the race off promptly. Mike Banner and Pete Snowdon hit the right hand side hard and in less waves came to the top mark leading the way. Andy Couch and his brother Martin chasing hard with Nev Herbert and Lewis Fowler a close third, and a pack of boats in close company.

After what can only be described as an interesting first run in waves and wind for the author, the bottom mark rounding saw Andy Couch in front Nev in second and Matt Biggs and Mark "Fester" Fowler in third, with Mike and Pete strangely heading over the horizon towards Aberystwyth!

Andy and Matt went right with Nev tacking off left. At the top mark Andy and Martin still had their lead but closely followed by Nev and Lewis, Matt and Mark with Mike McNamara crewed by Weed ominously close.

Bring on the carnage! Andy and Martin were the first casualties, breaking a shroud but keeping the mast in the boat. That put Nev into the lead but Matt sailed lower and managed to get inside and looked like the race was going his way until the gybe - and a fair amount of swimming practice! By now they weren't the only ones, with a number of boats testing their buoyancy! 25m swimming badges were also awarded to Barney Harris, Raines Koby, Henry Pedro, Jerry Rook, Tim Coleman, Matt Thompson and several others.

At the bottom mark for the second time it was now Nev and Lewis leading, Mike and Weed up to second and a new pairing of Tom Lonsdale crewed by Emily Batterton in third.

Nothing much changed at the front on the next beat, except a lot more water in the face! At the top mark the order was the same with Cameron Moss and Jake Stow in fourth and Mark Reddington crewed by Colin Anderson in fifth and a bunch of boats on their transom.

After an epic run once again the front five stayed in the same order but after some place changing Phil Smith and Steve Carr took sixth place.

With a number of boats needing attention from the damp but efficient safety crews the race officer wisely curtailed racing for the day and a lot of very damp crews made their way ashore to lick their wounds and to attend to various breakages. Day 3 promises to be lighter and with some welcome sunshine.

Thanks must go again to our event sponsors Noble Marine Insurance, Allen Brothers, Abersoch Boatyard, Clamcleats, Ovington Boats and HD Sails.