Please select your home edition
Edition

Noble Marine 2023 Albacore Internationals at Abersoch - Day 2

by Mark Reddington 1 Aug 2023 02:40 PDT 30 July - 4 August 2023
Albacore Internationals 2017 at the WPNSA day 1 © Pauline Rook

Abersoch delivered an epic day for the Albacores with a base wind of 16 knots gusting 24 knots, with a SW breeze producing proper surfing conditions. To add to some of the carnage that produced, we got controversy with effectively two winners! To be continued...

So to the racing, our race officer Malcolm Blackburn set a windward leeward course and with no delay got the race off promptly. Mike Banner and Pete Snowdon hit the right hand side hard and in less waves came to the top mark leading the way. Andy Couch and his brother Martin chasing hard with Nev Herbert and Lewis Fowler a close third, and a pack of boats in close company.

After what can only be described as an interesting first run in waves and wind for the author, the bottom mark rounding saw Andy Couch in front Nev in second and Matt Biggs and Mark "Fester" Fowler in third, with Mike and Pete strangely heading over the horizon towards Aberystwyth!

Andy and Matt went right with Nev tacking off left. At the top mark Andy and Martin still had their lead but closely followed by Nev and Lewis, Matt and Mark with Mike McNamara crewed by Weed ominously close.

Bring on the carnage! Andy and Martin were the first casualties, breaking a shroud but keeping the mast in the boat. That put Nev into the lead but Matt sailed lower and managed to get inside and looked like the race was going his way until the gybe - and a fair amount of swimming practice! By now they weren't the only ones, with a number of boats testing their buoyancy! 25m swimming badges were also awarded to Barney Harris, Raines Koby, Henry Pedro, Jerry Rook, Tim Coleman, Matt Thompson and several others.

At the bottom mark for the second time it was now Nev and Lewis leading, Mike and Weed up to second and a new pairing of Tom Lonsdale crewed by Emily Batterton in third.

Nothing much changed at the front on the next beat, except a lot more water in the face! At the top mark the order was the same with Cameron Moss and Jake Stow in fourth and Mark Reddington crewed by Colin Anderson in fifth and a bunch of boats on their transom.

After an epic run once again the front five stayed in the same order but after some place changing Phil Smith and Steve Carr took sixth place.

With a number of boats needing attention from the damp but efficient safety crews the race officer wisely curtailed racing for the day and a lot of very damp crews made their way ashore to lick their wounds and to attend to various breakages. Day 3 promises to be lighter and with some welcome sunshine.

Thanks must go again to our event sponsors Noble Marine Insurance, Allen Brothers, Abersoch Boatyard, Clamcleats, Ovington Boats and HD Sails.

Related Articles

The oldest footage of Albacore sailing
A look back into our video archive, which reveals some great 1960s material Here we look at early racing and cruising in the Albacore class. We have footage from 1958 to 1977 for you to enjoy looking back at the old technology, wonderful clothing, and excellent haircuts. Posted on 17 Nov
Albacore UK Nationals and Europeans
A generally sunny 4 days at picturesque Tynemouth SC 21 Albacores entered the Noble Marine National and European Championships held at the picturesque Tynemouth SC. The teams enjoyed a generally sunny four days of well organised sailing and socials with close racing throughout the fleet. Posted on 12 Sep
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy
Excellent event included fund raising for the Great North Air Ambulance Service Over its 62 years, the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy run by Ullswater Yacht Club, has evolved into a 3 day festival of sailing, centred on an unique pair of all class handicap races in breath-taking scenery, for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Posted on 18 Jul
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Preview
One month to go, 160 entries have already been received The 62nd running of the Lord Birkett Trophy, which commemorates the saviour of Ullswater, is now less than a month away on 6th and 7th July. Posted on 10 Jun
Albacore Inlands at Bartley
Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west On 5th and 6th May, Bartley Sailing Club in south-west Birmingham hosted the Albacore class Inland Championship. Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west. Posted on 8 May
Sailing World Regatta Series at Annapolis
Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors this weekend in the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - Annapolis, as winners in 15 classes call the area home. Posted on 6 May
Book review: Uffa
Yachting's eccentric genius I wasn't expecting to be particularly interested in a biography just because it covered the designer of famous dinghies. But one of the delights of reviewing books is the unexpected gem that grips you. This is one such book! Posted on 3 Mar
A is for Albacore on stand A10
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show this weekend The Albacore Sailing Dinghy is once again on show at the RYA Dinghy Show taking place at Farnborough this weekend. Enthusiastic members of the Class Association will be on hand throughout the weekend to show the latest demo boat and answer any questions. Posted on 24 Feb
Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters
A Q&A with Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship Sail-World checked in with Justin Ahearn, who serves as sailing director of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, which is hosting the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship, via email, to learn more. Posted on 16 Jan
2023 Albacore Canadian Championship
Shift Happens at Thornbury Yacht Club As usual, the 2023 season in Canada culminated with the Canadian Championships on September 15-17, which took place for the first time ever out of the charming little town of Thornbury, Ontario, located on the shore of Georgian Bay. Posted on 27 Sep 2023