2016 Edinburgh Cup 12 Jul 2016
Five RCYC boats made the long trip to Abersoch for the Northern Championships followed by the Edinburgh Cup, Quicksilver VI, Storm, Humoresque, Beauty and the Beast and Full Speed (sailed by Theresa and Tim Wilkes). The wind gods kept boats on their toes with between 10 and 23 knots across the 12 races, with temperatures distinctly unseasonal at max 14°C.
It was a week that was enjoyed by all both on and off the water with Andy Moss commenting “Abersoch was our first away event with Humoresque and what a week it was, providing a mixture of intense sailing, full on socialising and classic Welsh weather”.
The very competitive fleet had 35 entries, from UK, Ireland and Japan. Each day started with a somewhat precarious jump on board the clubs launches which were berthed with great skill by their drivers in lively seas against a narrow concrete pontoon. The race course was around three miles offshore, so plenty of time each day to acclimatise to some interesting wave patterns and as the week wore on, strong winds.
Competition on the race course was intense regardless of where you were racing in the fleet. The sportsmanship in the heat of battle was outstanding and although some boats came together and rigs were brought down, there remained a strong camaraderie across the fleet, professional or Corinthian, once all were off the water.
Lawrie Smith sailed an immaculate series to win both events. Quicksilver (Rob Campbell, Luke Malissa and Paul Fletcher) were best scoring Burnham boat in both regattas, 5th in the Northerns and 7th in the Edinburgh Cup. The conditions were clearly challenging, both Humoresque and Storm suffered equipment damage during the strong winds “issues with the boat’s pump made for interesting racing as the week progressed – dragons are not fast when they are full of water, but it does bring out the best in the boat’s crew, I have rarely seen such strong work with buckets and plastic bottles!” said Andy Moss of Humoresque.
The competition was fierce but fair in a well-attended event and the elements added spice to the racing. “Competing in big Dragon fleets provides a racing experience second to none, providing an elegant spectacle for spectators and an indulgent racing experience for competitors” said Andy Moss, with Rob Campbell praising this years’ hosts – “an outstandingly well organised event, our thanks and congratulations to the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club.”