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Savvy Navvy 2024

King Charles III Cup at Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club

by Mark Govier 10 May 2023 04:55 UTC 8 May 2023

For many years at Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club we have competed for the Prince of Wales Trophy, but for the Coronation we upgraded this to become the King Charles III Cup.

We opened the competition to visitors, who came not only to race, but to view the newly refurbished clubhouse and facilities, all set in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club welcomed visitors from Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and Sully Sailing Club.

Whilst the weather on arrival was somewhat damp, we were worried that the cloud level may drop and obscure the course, we could not complain about the wind which was about ten to fifteen knots from due south, i.e. straight up the valley giving us about the best conditions we could hope for. Though this did drop slightly during the series of three races competed for by boats ranging from a Dart 16 to a Topper Taz.

All three races were held over the same "butterfly" course. 1, 6, OM, 8, 10, Line (dead upwind, reach, broad reach, gybe, broad reach, reach, beat back through the line.

All three starts were well fought by the whole fleet with some good close racing up that first beat on each of the races. What more can we say though; today was Martin Roots' day. In the first and second race Martin (Cardiff Bay YC, Supernova 1307) was away, planing off into the distance on each of the reaches. But this was a great example of a handicap race and not dominated by the three Supernovas, underlying those results shown below are some close corrected times; and Nigel Vick (Sully Sailing Club) in his Topper was sailing consistently, taking advantage of the conditions and secured two second places.

Carmel Royston (Cardiff Bay YC, Laser Radial 119330) was also doing very well in her Laser Radial with two third places but edging out Nigel to third place in the last race to gain a second. Mark Govier (Merthyr Tydfil SC, Comet 460) was consistently fourth in each race and overall, securing the spot as best placed local boat. Thomas Bevan (Merthyr Tydfil SC, Topper Taz) entering and very much enjoying his first open competition sailed all three races and secured "first junior" prize.

Thanks to all the organisers and helpers on the day; especially for the prize-giving tea and cakes. This may just become an annual event...

Overall Results:

PosClassSail NoHelmCrewClubRatingR1R2R3Pts
1stSupernova1307Martin Roots Cardiff Bay YC1077‑1112
2ndTOPPER20989Nigel Vick Sully SC136922‑34
3rdLASER RADIAL/ ILCA 6119330Carmel Royston Cardiff Bay YC1150‑3325
4thComet460Mark Govier Merthyr Tydfil SC1210‑4448
5thSupernova698Charles Felgate Cardiff Bay YC1077‑85510
6thComet694Alun Bevan Merthyr Tydfil SC12105‑7712
7thLASER/ ILCA 7174576Robin Wilkinson Sully SC1101‑66612
8thSupernova715Steve Denyer Cardiff Bay YC107778‑915
9thLASER/ ILCA 7181333Andrew Brazier Merthyr Tydfil SC11019‑10817
10thMIRROR (S/H)48991Andrew Williams Merthyr Tydfil SC1380109(RET)19
11thLark151Paul StevensonDavid WaltonMerthyr Tydfil SC1073(RET)111021
12thDart 161965Paul HalesIan CharlesMerthyr Tydfil SC905‑12121123
13thTopper Taz2Thomas Bevan Merthyr Tydfil SC155011‑131223

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