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Abersoch Dinghy Week 2024 at South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club
21-26 July 2024
Sponsored by Abersoch Boat Yard, Gill, Orca Bay, and English Braids.
A perfect week of good weather with only one truly wet day welcomed 153 entries to this year’s event at the South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club, which is celebrating its centenary.
All races were completed over the week, with good sailing breezes each day. The return to shoreline starts in front of the Club was well received, leading to a nine-race series in excellent conditions. A special Friday Centenary race featured two mass starts from the club line, enjoyed in perfect sunny weather with winds of 10-12 knots.
The coached regatta fleet, organized by our team, was notably successful. Nine young sailors had the opportunity to experience sea racing, many for the first time, and significant improvements were observed as the week progressed. Kudos to all participants!
Highlights across various fleets included standout performances that kept shore-based spectators entertained. Notable winners included Freya Antonelli Budworth in the Toppers and Mia Hateley in the Fevas, both earning the first Junior trophies. Richard Wadsworth secured overall victory in the mixed RS fleet with his RS700, closely trailing the Marsh family in their RS400. The RS200 crewed by Karen Oldale and Jo Hewitson finished third overall and first in their fleet.
Among the fast symmetrical double handlers, Jasper Bramwell and Olly Hateley won in a 420, followed by Louise Mckeand and Nigel Hall in a Wayfarer, and the South Staffs GP14 of the Hateley crew finishing third.
The Crewsaver Team prize went to Felinheli, who achieved the three best results across three different fleets, with Josh Metcalfe in the ILCA 7s, Dave Jones in the ILCA 6s, and Thomas Venning securing second in the Toppers. Bravo to all!
The Centenary race on Friday was a stand-alone event and is intended to become a permanent fixture of the regatta.
The mass start format for morning fleets at 11:00 and afternoon fleets at 14:00 attracted over 100 boats, accommodating those with Friday-to-Friday rentals or participants heading to other sailing events.
Hamish Gledhill of West Riding SC won the morning race in a Laser, while Louis Johnson and Lucy Hewitson claimed victory in the afternoon with their RS800.
Abersoch Dinghy Week is not only about sailing; social events were well-organized, featuring a quiz night on Tuesday and an excellent Steak night at the Cove. The front half of Elephant Juice provided great entertainment on Monday, and in a highlight, the new band “Supa Nova” rocked the crowd, delivering a lively and vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a mini Glastonbury experience.
Organizing an event of this scale with over 150 boats requires tremendous effort from numerous members and staff. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!
Next year’s event will follow the 2024 format, running from Sunday 20th July to Friday 25th July 2025.
From Sunday to Thursday, there will be a nine-race series for all fleets, culminating in combined fleet races with mass starts for morning and afternoon fleets on Friday. Additionally, the coached regatta fleet for novice racers will operate each morning from the beach. The Notice of Race and entry forms for next year will be available on the club website starting January 2025.
Source
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
