Letters to New Zealand

Splash Worlds and Flash Eurocup Championships
Held at Pwllheli Sailing Club during August 8 -14th August 2009

Friday

Friday started with a brisk Westerley breeze, which slowly swung round to the South-west and strengthened to force six,. Racing started just after eleven am and the race officer got both races in by one o'clock.

There were several capsizes and gear failures during racing, which was an indication of the increase in wind strength.

In the Splash Gold Fleet Declan Burn from New Zealand found conditions difficult, but still maintained his overall lead. Hansebas Meijer found the conditions to his liking and improved his position to second overall, the local boy Bleddyn Mon also liking the conditions finishing third overall.

In the Splash Silver fleet Marianne Pijlman of the Netherlands beat the boys with a good overall performance over the week, finishing first. Mark de Schiffert got two good results and pulled himself up to second, while Jock Coppejans of Belgium completed the trio of leaders.

The weather conditions suited the Flash sailors and the leading five boats just changed position, Bob Heineke winning, with Ruud Westerbeek finishing second. In third place was Frank Cornelissen, with Betty Gietema being the first women home in eight place.

After Protests were dealt with the results were posted early evening. Both the Mayor of Pwllheli Ifan Hughes and the Commodore  of the Pwllheli Sailing Club Dave Hulse attended the prize-giving, with all the sailors and their families.

Gold Splash Fleet (After thirteen races with two discards)
1   NZL 2592    Declan Burn 44.0
2   NED 2454    Hansebas Meijer 61.0
3   GBR 2243    Bleddyn Mon 62.0
4   AHO 2500    Ard van Aanholt 74.0
5   NZL 2590    Scott Fyfe  82.0

Silver Splash Fleet (After thirteen races with two discards)
1   NED 1987    Marianne Pijlman    200.0
2   NED 2383    Mark de Schiffert   208.0
3   BEL 2441    Jock Coppejans  230.0
4   NED 2360    Rogier Vermeer  240.0
5   NED 2497    Jetze Schuurmans    243.0

Flash Fleet (After thirteen races with two discards)
1   NED 2428    Bob Heineke 25.0
2   NED 2367    Ruud Westerbeek 42.0
3   NED 2288    Frank Cornelissen   50.0
4   NED 2485    Igor van Zalinge    52.0
5   NED 1951    Jeroen van Greuningen   62.0

Held at Pwllheli Sailing Club during August 8 –14th August 2009

Crews from all over the world started arriving at Pwllheli on Saturday 8th August, the majority of them from the Netherlands. Measuring the boats started and continued into Sunday when a practise race was organised for both Splash and Flash fleets. The Splash sailors are all under 18 whilst those over 18 continue into the Flash class, which is the same boat with a larger sail.

Weather conditions, on both days was a mix of light clouds and sun, with wind strengths of between Force 2 to 3. About half the fleet went out on Sunday to get an experience of sailing in Cardigan Bay.

One race was held for each fleet, the race officers setting a long race to give everybody a chance to experience the conditions in the bay.

The opening ceremony on Sunday night was attended by the Mayor of Pwllheli, Evan John Hughes, and Councillor Sion Roberts with the Club Commodore Dave Hulse also giving a welcoming speech. The President of the International Splash Class Luuk Feikens opened the event with over 400 competitors and families attending in the large marquee at Pwllheli Club

More information about the activities on the water can be obtained by folowing the Race Course Twitter and by following this link to the official Splash Worlds & Euro Flash Web Site.

Details of the social aspect of this event have a look at 'What's On' in the 'Social Menue' of this web Site.