Bright blue skies greeted everyone for the start of the Easter series, the first racing of the season, a friendly shakedown after the winter break. It was already known that with the poor weather lately, many boats were still out of the water preparing for the season so it was thought that it would be a friendly race between Jetstream and Mojito to blow away the cobwebs. Jetstream were well prepared and keen to get out onto the water and ready to go. However, Mojito suffered with the change of the clocks onto BST and crew and skipper turned up on the pontoons just in time to see Jetstream pull away from their berth.  Jetstream had left a note – ‘Dear Mojito, gone sailing! Suggested course is: ... Call us on channel 17.  Love Jetstream x’

Leaving the channel and it was obvious that the cold, dense easterly winds had brought their usual choppy seas. However, those boats braving the chop and continuing out into the bay were welcomed with glorious sailing weather (even if it was a tad cold). Once all boats were round at the start at Gimlet rock, the PSC Bridge countdown began. The course: well, ... laying of PSC marks had been delayed by the recent winds, so it was decided that we should head for the fairway buoy and then west to Abersoch and back, following Jetstream’s proposed course. Mojito got a good start closely followed by Jetstream. Both boats were grateful for the added competition of Predator who were third to cross the start line. Mojito made the fairway buoy with plenty of room over the other two boats.

However, once round the mark they decided to shake out their reef set for the 18-22kts they had upwind. Problems with sliders in the mast gave Jetstream and Predator time to gain ground on Mojito. All three boats continued in close proximity with Predator gradually pulling away and gaining a good lead on the water. Mojito had several navigation errors, as they found that they had over stood one of the marks and had to tack back to it. Later they discovered that they had been heading to the wrong mark completely and had lost all ground. That, a spinnaker wrapped around the forestay and a broken mainsheet fixing and they were now firmly in third place.

The last leg was a satisfying close reach, and Mojito managed to gain some of the ground lost on Predator. Meanwhile, Jetstream also had navigation errors and went round for another lap of a couple of marks before heading to the finish.

Whatever the result, the fun had by all was fully evident by the smiles on everyone’s faces as they came back into the Pwllheli Sailing Club to discuss the day’s events.

IRC and NHC Easter Series Results