A Race series of 10 races, a best team performance with quality at all levels and a complete range of wind conditions saw us achieve 2nd in the team event and a trophy for Patrick Shellcock for the most improved sailor with his eventual position of 5th in the Gold Fleet.
As the fleet launched off the beach one of the vicious squalls that was going to characterise Saturday swept across the bay. Over half the launched boats capsized occasioning the first duties of what was to become a very busy day for the safety boats. Eventually, however, the fleet launched and a race was run before lunch with some sailors, to say nothing of the race committee, confused as to whether or not they had sailed or completed the race! However, the Sebbergh Sailors were certainly out there in force. Lunch served and the racing continued with three races completed with a shrinking fleet as the less able or less warm sailors retreating to the safety of the shore. Out of 39 boats registered only 18 survived to the end of the 3rd race but all 6 of the Sedbergh boats were still there and qualified for the Gold Fleet. Dr Ripley had to sail one rescued boat back to the shore and after his experiences with windshifts and squalls even he had to admit how difficult the conditions were.
The traditional barbecue and Sedbergh v “The Rest” touch rugby had its habitual result of the “Rest” admitting defeat! Further race debriefing continued at the Llandudno Superbowl setting us up for a Sunday of what was expected to be easier sailing conditions.
Sunday dawned not with less wind but without the squalls and wind shifts that had made Saturday so difficult. Some of the Sedbergh prudently reefed and set out to the Gold course where 3 races were held in the morning with, bizarrely, a stage in the middle race where not only did some seals come to spectate, but almost zero wind which caught a couple of sailors unawares. However a solid set of results in the top third of the fleet saw Sedbergh consolidate its position in the rankings. The rain downpour between race 1 and 2 didn’t help with the hypothermable conditions which saw safety boats and sailors alike bemoan the temperature and some sailors retreated to the beach. The end of the third race was greeted by the sun which cheered some people up.
The cups of soup and hot chocolate at lunch were much appreciated before the final three races were held in the afternoon in the best conditions of all with a steady Force 3 and the sun shining. These “Champagne” sailing conditions saw most of our sailors in action again while a couple regretted their decision to take the afternoon off! Patrick Shellcock (SJS) had his best race winning race 9, while the others again saw some top half fleet positions.
The results saw Rydal Penrhos dominate most of the podium places in the Gold fleet apart from Patrick Shellcock who got the most improved sailor for his position compared to last year’s results. Harry Batty who had received a similar result within the Silver fleet in 2008 saw himself placed mid fleet in the Gold fleet this year which again is testament to his improvement. Final detailed results are not yet available.
The Pico challenge is one of only two regular salt water competitions that we enter and the extra element of waves, salt and tide certainly change the dynamics of sailing.
SJS – Patrick Shellcock
P – Robin Shellcock, Harry Batty
W – David Cole, Alex Pugh, Luke Collins.
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