English (UK) On the weekend of 5th/6th September seven of the top 29ers in the UK including five Welsh boats came to Pwllheli for a weekend of coached racing on a full championship course using Plas Heli’s race equipment facilities.
Due to the COVID lockdown, for all seven boats this was the first time that they had raced on a championship course since February and so it was a great way to hone their skiff racing skills ready for the first Grand Prix of the year in late September. And Pwllheli did not disappoint: Day 1 delivered four tight races in glamour conditions of 15 to 21 kts with sunshine and plenty of waves to spice up the gybes.
On Day 2 no sail rigging was needed thanks to 5-star indoor parking in the Plas Heli hanger, so the 29ers launched quickly and early, sailing out into a quiet bay with dramatic cloudy skies and a greeting from 3 dolphin pods having mackerel for breakfast! Four closely contested races were 
held to complete the series of 8 in an 11-17 kt breeze with testing shifts off the land.
Overall winners of the event were the Welsh/Scottish pairing of Elodie Edwards (Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli) and Ewan Wilson (Wormit Boating Club, Fife), 2nd and 3rd place went to two other Welsh squad boats, Aled Llewelyn-Jones/Ben Bradley and Tom Storey/Ben Willett.
The 29er sailors would like to express their thanks to CHP and Plas Heli for welcoming them again to the venue and for providing the championship race equipment. Many thanks also to RYA Cymru for their coach and rib support for the event.
Updated 10th September 2020
