New Quay Regatta judged a rip-roaring success!

While numbers were down a little to a dozen competing yachts, due to some sailors preparing for Cowes Week, the standard of sailing and race-management for this six-race series was second to none, ably led by PRO Mark Willis and stand-in Roger Griffiths.

For the first two days, four Inshore windward/leeward or Olympic triangular courses were completed in southerly 20-30 kt offshore winds.

Whilst it was full-on racing, sailors enjoyed flat water and blazing sunshine, with Brainstorm winning all four races.

Brainstorm storms ahead to victory 2 (Image: Pater Thomas and Mark Willis)

A coastal race on day three was started in a gentle breeze to Aberaeron and planned to route back past New Quay to Cwmtydu but racing was curtailed, as the wind slowly died through the afternoon.

Only four boats made it to the finish before the time limit of six hours.

Day four was another gusty offshore-wind affair with more sunshine as the yachts completed a round-the-cans race, and even the dolphins joined in.

In the non-IRC fleet, using a locally Modified PY/Byron system, Carl Rich's Blythe Spirit (Parker 285) took the biscuit from Aberaeron YC’s Hey Jude (Sadler 29), owned by Julian Driver/Nick Allen.

In the IRC fleet, Crawford McLeary's Sprite (Hawk 20) and the 'new, out of the box' Drychin Bach (a much-modified Hunter Duette) of Jon Price-Jones had a great four days of competition swapping third and second places, with Sprite eventually coming out on top.

Sprite was first Hawk and Drychin Bach was first bilge keeler. Overall KBR 23 Champion, however, was the venerable Super Seal 26, Brainstorm, of Chris Seal, being first on the water in all but one race.

At the closing ceremony, prizes, trophies and gifts were spread all-around - delightfully done by our ‘Mr and Mrs President’: George and Jean Legg.

Many votes of thanks were given - not least to the excellence of the course laying team, bar manager, Ali Davies and for the 'tres magnifigique' French meal on Saturday night, prepared by chef Ian Jennings and team. AYC’s Tim Greenslade and his crew aboard Seren Wib won ‘best dressed’ yacht.

Blythe Spirit First Non IRC (Image: Peter Thomas and Mark Willis)

The sponsors of the event were Golwg Y Mor, the local high-class butchers and purveyors of fine organic meats and Morgan & Davies, local Estate Agents and purveyors of fine West Wales properties!

Overall IRC 1st Brainstorm (Super Seal 26) Chris Seal - NQYC/RAFSA 2nd Sprite (Hawk 20) Crawford McLeary – NQYC (and First Hawk) 3rd Drychin Bach (mod Duette) Jonathan Price-Jones (and First Bilge Keel) – NQYC/AYC Overall Non IRC 1st Blythe Spirit (Parker 285) Carl Rich – NQYC/RAFSA 2nd Hey Jude (Sadler 29) Nick Allen/Julian Driver.