Vaikobi 2023 420 British Nationals (24-28th August)

Pwllheli's 420 dinghy sailor Arwen Fflur is off to a flying start with her new crew Matthew Rayner from Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club. They had their first sail together on the 12th and 13th of August at the Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race - it was an auspicious start as they won the event. However, there remained much work to do in preparing the boat and themselves for the National Championships. Plas Heli invited them in on a stormy weekend to prepare the boat which was greatly appreciated! Both crew and helm remained focussed and worked hard at training (resisting a fantastic invitation to crew at the Keelboat Racing in Abersoch!) and the dedication and effort certainly seemed to pay off. 

The first day was perfect for them and they were leading the pack at the end of the day! They enjoyed the Keelboat party upstairs that evening, but remained focussed and were in the boat park bright and early the next day. The second day brought lighter winds and a black flag saw them slip back to third place. There was keen pressure with talented and experienced Joe Warwicker and Hugo Valentine breathing down their necks and they finally pipped them at the post in the last race, beating them by one place; leaving Arwen and Matthew to fourth place overall and making the podium as 3rd mixed boat. Not a bad two weeks work!

Congratulations to Neil Marsden and Olivia Creasey on their National Championship win - Neil has played a considerable role in developing Arwen’s sailing  and we love to see him at Pwllheli and following his victory speech he revealed he loves sailing at Pwllheli too. It is also sad to see second placed Alice Davis and Oliver Rayner (Matthews brother!) leaving the class for university, they have provided inspiration, challenge, friendship and guidance for the younger 420 sailors - we wish them well and they will be missed.