IRC Welsh National Championships at Plas Heli - photo by Andy Green

IRC Welsh National Championships at Plas Heli - photo by Andy Green

This years IRC Welsh National Championships, hosted by Pwllheli Sailing Club in conjunction with the Royal Dee Yacht Club, at the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre, proved challenging for the race officers.

Flags flying at Plas Heli on the first day of racing - photo by Victoria Cox

Friday got off to a great start with Plas Heli flags flying in glorious sunshine, as crews on the pontoons enjoyed a fly past of fast jets out of RAF Valley. But once out on the water, not even a zephyr could be seen and AP was raised for both IRC classes.

No wind on the Pwllheli start line - photo by Victoria Cox

Meanwhile, further inshore, race officer Robin Evans managed to get the cruiser class off on their first race along the coast, heading down towards Penychain. Percy, racing with their parrot by the same name got off to a good start, winning race one but failed to maintain consistency for the next three races, leaving Cryd-yr-Awel to take 1st in race two.

Percy, Ella Trout and Last years cruiser class winner Quattro - photo by Angela Jenkinson

Eventually, race officer Mike Butterfield was able to get the IRC classes off on their windward/leeward course after a lot of work by both race officer and mark layer.

Mark layer Jon Close - photo by Paul Kitteringham

IRC Class 1 underway on day one

Sadly the shifting winds disappeared and racing had to be abandoned for the day and crews headed to Plas Heli for daily prize giving and jugs of beer sponsored each day by Tudor Estate Agents, Partington Marine Services and Firmhelm respectively.

Sponsored jugs of beer and glassware, handed out by the Pwllheli Sailing Club commodores at the daily prize giving - photo by Nick Smith

Day 2 and light winds prevailed again but race officers persevered to provide a full day of racing for all classes. Race officer Mike Butterfield was determined to get as many races in as possible so hoisted the U flag after race 1 much to the disappointment of Gelert who were pushed over the line just seconds before the gun.

Gelert and Jackknife battling it out just after the start in IRC 1 - photo by Ian “Sammo” Jones

At the end of the day, Eazitiger and Checkmate were on equal points at the top of IRC2 with Altima in third place.

Checkmate in IRC2 - photo by Paul Kitteringham

Mojito lead class 1 with a four point lead over Only Magic, closely followed by Xpletive. Although Cryd yr Awel wining the first race if the day, a consistent performance and a win in race 4 put Suspicious Minds in the lead in the cruiser class.

IRC fleet viewed from Gimblet rock - photo by Sam Kitteringham

With day one abandoned, day 3 was brought forward with an earlier start for both IRC classes to extend racing time and fit in another four races.

Mojito followed by Excession and Jezebel in IRC1 and sigma Jondo in IRC2, all heading for the leeward mark - photo by Paul Kitteringham

Grey skies soon turned to mist but visibility was sufficient to start racing and the 10-15kts from the south was welcomed by the fleet.

Darling xx enjoying the breeze as mist lifted - photo by Ian “Sammo” Jones

As the mist lifted and winds clocked right as forecast, race management worked hard to keep to the schedule. By the final race, a windward/leeward race finishing with a round the cans element, the sun appeared and winds started to drop, favouring the faster boats in the fleet, allowing Jackknife a comfortable win, putting them in 2nd place overall in IRC class 1.

Jackknife in IRC class 1 as mist lifted - photo by Paul Kitteringham

As the fleets retired to Plas Heli for refreshments and prize giving, everyone agreed that it had been a fantastic weekend.

Crews enjoying the après-sail at Plas Heli - photo by Victoria Cox

Whilst runner up positions changed, top spots in each class were cemented.

Suspicious Minds and Tamur in the cruiser class - photo by Angela Jenkinson

Suspicious Minds taking 1st in cruisers, Eazitiger pulling away from Checkmate to take IRC class 2 and Mojito taking 1st in IRC 1 and overall Welsh Championship.

Brainstorm 3rd overall in IRC2 - photo by Paul Kitteringham
Full results on the event website at www.IRCWelshChamps.com