CVRDA Rally at Clywedog Sailing Club

CVRDA rally at Clywedog © Peter Vinton

The CVRDA made their annual visit to Clywedog again on 15/16 September. A very mixed fleet took part consisting of pairs of Flying Fifteens, Merlin Rockets, low rider Moths and Finns, with single representatives of YW Day Boat, International Canoe, Pegasus, Albacore, Pegasus, Streaker, National 12, OK and a Mirror.

With a good breeze and sunshine on Saturday Mick the race officer decided to hold 3 races in advance of possibly worse weather on Sunday. The first race experienced a very rare event and perhaps the first for the CVRDA, a general recall and a black flag restart! With strong gusts coming down from the hills the right hand side of the course paid up the beat and then a series of broad reaches down the lake were arranged so that each gybe was close to the hills in the strongest gusts!

Out in front in each race Paul Hignett and Lyndon Beasley were sailing their Lowrider Moths very well with Keith Rollison in his Flying Fifteen and Peter Vinton in his Finn doing their best to get among them. The second and third races were sailed in similar conditions but with the wind becoming slightly weaker and less predictable and at the back of the fleet Roger Oliva Knight was doing very well on handicap in his Mirror. In the evening a very good meal was enjoyed in the clubhouse.

Sunday started, as forecast, with rain and very strong gusts but by the time we went afloat the wind was more manageable than it looked. 2 races were held back to back and then a relieved fleet came in to pack up and enjoy lunch. Overall Paul won in his Moth, Peter was 2nd in his Finn and Roger was 3rd in his Mirror, a triumph for the CVRDA handicapper!

Overall Results: