Portishead yachts celebrate first leg success in Shanghai Cup, Bristol Channel IRC Championships 202
by Tim Pearson 21 Jun 10:01 UTC
15-16 June 2024
The fleet during the 2024 Shanghai Cup Leg 1 at Portishead Cruising Club © David Mumford
In partnership with Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, over the weekend of 15th/ 16th June, Portishead Cruising Club (PCC) hosted the first leg of the 2024 Shanghai Cup, the Bristol Channel IRC Championships and the Nimrod Cup in King Road just off Portishead.
While Saturday's racing program was unfortunately cancelled on safety grounds, with new weather, Sunday provided a full racing program in near perfect conditions. Crews from Thornbury, Portishead, Cardiff and even Pembroke put their tactical racing skills into action as racing saw the fleet beat up to the outfall buoy and then back down to channel markers and laid racing marks just off Portishead.
With spinnakers flying and close-hauled racing, the fleet made for a great sight from the shore but it was PCC boat Ctrl-J, skippered by Andy Williams that took 1st place in two out of the three races sailed. And, in a great day for PCC yachts, the club took 1st and 2nd place overall for Ctrl-J and Hero, who took 1st place in the second race, with other club member's boats Scrumpy-J in 6th place and Assassin in 9th. Full racing results are on the official regatta website.
The crews now head to Cardiff for the second leg of the regatta over the weekend of 29th/ 30th June where the regatta will conclude with the announcement of the final results and prize-giving.
Running a weekend regatta is a team sport in itself so PCC would like to thank our sponsors and those individuals that provided their time to be race officers, supplied their boat as the committee boat and our mark layers and photographers. Final thanks to the social team for organising another fine drinks party at the boat hoist on Saturday afternoon.
If you'd like to join future races but don't know where to start, contact us to find out about the latest crewing opportunities that may be available. You don't need a boat to join in the fun!