I'm pleased to say the thirteenth day of the month was a good luck day for the sailors at the UK International Contender competition at Pwllheli. After three windless days, the sun shone and the breeze kicked in.
Seb arrived in time to meet competitors and watch the fleet launch off the beach.
Across Tremadog Bay the gleaming sands of Dyffryn Ardudwy were just visible and Seb recalled his training sessions running on the dunes.
Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club (in its 50th Anniversary) is celebrating its selection as a London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp earlier this year and we were able to demonstrate the positive impact the Games can create for local communities. Seb met several young club sailors, who enjoyed a conversation about their sailing ambitions.
For me Seb's visit was the culmination of ten weeks of success in North Wales. Firstly, with the selection of Plas y Brenin (Mountain Biking) and Canolfan Tryweryn (Canoeing) as other PGTCs, it confirms the world–class natural resources in Snowdonia for these outdoor sports.
In early April we hosted the RYA Youth Championships (260 sailors) and were pleased to welcome HRH Princess Anne to watch the sailing. Selection to the ISAF World Youth Championships 2008 is made at this event, which is historically a strong indicator for future Olympians.
We also hosted an exciting weekend event in which both Olympic Laser sailors – Paul Goodison and Penny Clark – raced in a competitive fleet of 120, including most of the current Olympic Performance and Development squads.
Now I must return to planning for two National Championships in August for the Olympic Junior and Youth classes of Optimist and 420 when over 500 young sailors and their families are expected.
