After the winter (and spring!!) snow the fleet headed out for the Easter Series a little rusty, and were grateful that the winds were kind. A gentle, if not cold 9-10kts greeted them from the east with bright sunshine.
The fleet discussed the set course 23 which started towards Fairway and became a windward/leeward race between 2 and 6 before heading for the finish but as it was the first outing for many the race committee decided to be easy on the fleet and set a gentler course. Upwind to Fairway, back to 0 and on to 1 to port before heading for the Tudwalls, the bell buoy and back to 8 before heading to the finish.
The upwind leg tested the fleet, refreshing their memory after the winter. As kites went up the wind sheer was evident and after gybing the fleet were met with 90 degrees wind shifts and 13kts swirling around gimlet rock. Kites went down briefly through 0 and 1 before going back up for the long leg to the islands, accompanied by a pod of dolphins.
The islands created their usual wind shifts with winds dropping to 4kts and although they came back to 6kts once around the bell buoy it was evident that the fleet would struggle to get much more than that for the remainder of the race.
Day two and with various maintenance tasks highlighted by the previous days racing, it was agreed that the 30kt gusts were probably too much for jury rigs and the fleet agreed to cancel racing to enable full repairs in readiness for next weekend.
Everyone is looking forward to next weekend for the start of the Pwllheli Sailing Club Spring Series in what is currently forecast to be warmer dryer weather.
Come and join us on the water for the Spring Series - warning signal 1130 both days, aiming to be back in the bar for 1430-1500.
Notice of race for the Spring Series can be found here