Personal view by Dave Walker
Pete
asked me to drop him a few lines on the Long-Distance event held at Pwllheli
over the weekend of June 2\3rd.
I
have not attempted to turn this into a race report and I apologize if I get any
of the positions wrong, it’s just a personal recollection “from the driving
seat”.
In
it’s fourth year now, the Pwllheli round of the Welsh series has become a
classic “ not to be missed” event. In my view it is the only “real
long-distance” event in the series.
Starting
at the fantastic Pwllheli yacht club with its Olympic standard facilities the
course take you across the bay to Tudwal’s Islands, off Abersoch. From here
you sail around the headland across Porth Ceiriad and around the second headland
which takes you across Hell’s Mouth towards Aberdaron. Just before Aberdaron
are two small islands (just rocks) which you take to port before following your
wake back to Tudwal’s. This time the islands are left to Port and you round
the Bell Buoy (Seal Rock) and head back to the finish at Pwllheli. Total miles
to finish 34.
Theory
over, Sat dawned dark, cool and windy (very windy) 19 two hulled maniacs
gathered on the launch beach wondering if the race would go ahead or be put back
to the second Day. With no hesitation, Don Findlay made the call, we were going.
Lots
of nervous banter on the beach as Ron Bentham strolled down to meet his pit crew
who had wheeled it down for him. In his new Red Dry suit you could have mistaken
him for Michael Schumaker. Wind blowing 20-25mph, bigger gusts blowing through.
Last check on equipment, flares (would five be enough) wring your bladder dry
for the last time, dry suits and long-distance events are not always compatible.
Clean
downwind start, whole fleet gets away well with two packs evident. Pack one
choose the left of the course, opting to start on Starboard and gybe onto port
after the line before launching kites (most of the boats carried kites). Pack
two Mike Pearson (my crew) and Ron and Howard (on Inter 20s) took the right hand
side, near to Uncle Don. We figured we could use the extra downwind distance to
sail straight through Tudwal’s without a gybe. We got it right and those boats
above us could not make the gap without at least two gybes.
I
have to say it looked great to see nearly 20 Cats all flying along under kites
Throwing
in one gybe to speed things up we crossed the first headland in fourth place in
a pack of 4 Inter 20’s, Myself, Chris Needham, Martin (from Mumbles) and Ron
and Howard. Nothing in it as we set off to find Hell’s Mouth.
Well
it didn’t take long for Hell’s Mouth to find us. As we rounded the point the
wind headed us and picked up two forces. This was serious wind, 5+ offshore
kicking up a bad chop. Quick run through all the de-power settings, finally
select “grit teeth and hold on mode”
Closing
the gap on the three boats ahead down to 50yds and bang! my ejector seat fired,
in the shape of a broken harness strap. This left me hanging by one secured leg
waiting for the final splash. Much to Mike’s approval, I decided to “sit
this one out”.
It’s
hard to accurately describe the 5 miles that we endured over to Aberdaron. It
was dangerous, uncomfortable, fast, wet (very wet) and very competitive as each
helm tried to squeeze the last knot out of their boats. It was dangerous because
the wind direction was deeper than a fine reach but not as deep as a broad
reach. This left you with two options in the gusts.
a)
Head up
b)
Bear away
Option
one resulting in altitude records being broken. Option two spat you down wind at
incredible speed with all sorts of funny shapes developing in your mast. We
opted for b and didn’t look at the mast.
I
should point out that once sitting in, vision became optional. Imagine a large
bore hose, mounted on the bow, pointing back towards the helm, dispensing huge
amounts of seawater straight into your face! I tried looking backwards at first
but then realized steering via the wake was not such a good idea. Mike only fell
off twice on this leg (reaching line on shopping list). By the time we reached
Aberdaron we were completely knackered, totally blind and a good 500yds behind
the three leading Inters.
Now
rewards come in strange packages! And so it was with deep regret that Ron and
Howard capsized at the gybe mark near the Islands. Our smugness was paid back
within seconds when we gybed at the same island and ran aground!!! I have to
admit at this point that we did not re-round the windward mark. Following lots
of nice words to Mike (sorry Mike) we were off again down Hell’s Reach
(Ron’s description). Broader than our approach this reach was a little easier,
if not wetter.
Digging
in we started to Catch Martin and Chris (1st and 2nd).
They both played straight into our hands by sailing underneath the cliffs at
Porth Ceiriad. I had done this myself 3 years ago and knew exactly what kind
words were being shouted as Mike and I shot into the lead, sailing wide and down
wind around them. They managed to break free just behind and well to windward of
us and started to bear down on us as we approached Tudwal’s Islands for the
second time. By this time I had realized that I would not even get the boat back
unless I could figure a way to double trapeze, such was the increasing force of
the wind. Attempting a new “one leg, lie on your back” style I managed to
stay out on the fine reach towards The Bell Buoy. Time to be brought down once
again. A large piece of green water with my name on it came to join us. Leaving
Mike alone I began my solo attempt at the world “Arse surfing Record”
bouncing around in-between the rudders at great speed. Whilst no doubt great for
personal hygiene it did little for our boat speed and by the time Mike welcomed
me back aboard we were once again 3rd.
I
have to say I wished we could have had a video on board for the next bit. Three
Inters bow to stern rounded the Bell in bright Sunshine hardening up into huge
waves and increasing wind. I would estimate the wind was now a good 5\6.
Seven
miles to home, two ways to go.
a)
Stay out
to sea in the strong wind and waves.
b)
Tack
in-shore towards Abersoch for smoother water.
We
opted to stay out, Martin tacked, Chris followed a little later. I have to say
that I don’t think either tack gained any advantage. Chris was out-pointing us
before he tacked and we just had too much power in our rig to hold the boat
down. We were already travelled out two feet and had a foot of board up. Most of
the beat was airborne, either flying a hull or flying off waves. No excuses but
my harness position did little to help.
After
34 miles Chris Needham and Neil crossed the line in 2 hours 20 mins, Martin
Stevens in the second 20 just behind and to our deep, deep happiness!!! Ron
sailed a fantastic recovery to beat us by 10 secs for 3rd (over the
water)
Corrected
times gave John Pierce in the Stealth 1st with Dave Woods in a Dart 2nd.
Fantastic
event, very near the limit in terms of safety, right decision to go for it.
Lessons
learned.
1)
Practice,
Practice, Practice it’s the only thing that can prepare you for these type of
conditions. We don’t do it. We should.
2)
Reaching
lines are Essential, end of story.
3)
Goggles
would have made a big difference and allowed the boat to be driven just a few
knots faster.
4)
Fitness
showed in this race and I doubt anyone would hold their hands up and say they
felt good at the end of this event.
2002
Please
don’t be put off entering this event next year. 2001 was about as rough as it
gets, hence the record finish time. We are looking at improving next year’s
entry by.
a)
Offering
a short course around Tudwal’s and back.
b)
Moving
the date to give people more time to do it.
Please
put this event in your diary for next year, it’s not “pond sailing Jim as we
know it”
But
great just the same.