World Championships & UK Nationals, Pwllheli Sailing Club, 23 Jul 2009 - 31 Jul 2009

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Pwllheli is one of the UK's top sailing venues, offering great waters, easy launching off a sheltered beach and a fully equipped marina for support boats. With the picturesque backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains, Pwllheli is a truly beautiful place to sail. The UK Mirror Class Association looks forward to welcoming a record entry for recent years.

Mirror DVD

DVD available to order, including coverage from 2009 Worlds 

Andy & Tom Smith are the new 2009 Mirror World Champions

Conditions have failed to moderate here in Pwllheli, leaving Race Officer Mike Pearson no alternative but to abandon racing on the the final day at the 2009 Mirror World Championship. This means that Andy Smith and his ten year old son Tom are the new Mirror World Champions. Second is the brother and sister team Chris and Jessica Rust. Third is Izy Fitzgerald crewed by Emily Peters who also win the Oceanair 2009 Mirror Junior World Championship.... 

One hour postponement posted at 11.00

As expected the RC have posted a one hour postponement while they continue to assess the weather conditions. The media team have just driven out to the point to check out the situation first hand and we have to say the chance of racing going ahead look pretty slim right now. There are some huge waves rolling across the race area and the wind appears to be continuing to build. More news when we have it. 

Big winds are back on Day 5...

The strong winds are back for the final day of racing at the 2009 Mirror World Championship at Pwllheli Sailing Club in North Wales. Right now the bay looks pretty white and racing is questionable at this stage. The event PRO has boarded a rib and is on his way out to the race course to assess the situation. More news as soon as we have it. 

Mirror Worlds Book

If you have enjoyed following the Worlds coverage you you may be interested in purchasing a copy of the Official Book of the 2009 Mirror World Championship at Pwllheli Sailing Club. Photographer Paul Todd and writer Justin Chisholm have been here in Pwllheli all this week and will be producing a large format book telling the story of the regatta in words and pictures. The book will be available to purchase online in a few weeks. You can find more details at www.aquabooks.org 

Final Day Showdown

After a full on day with four hard races, it is shaping up to be a fantastic final day 

Thursday Press Release

Day four was always going to be a critical one at the 2009 Mirror World Championship and those sailors who harboured serious aspirations of being crowned World Champion were painfully aware that today could be make or break. Happily the weather played its part and competitors were treated to four spectacular races in perfect conditions. Despite some huge waves and winds which built to over 20 knots during the day, the overall quality of the racing was top flight and fully demonstrated the high skill of all the competitors at this championship..... 

Sail.TV Coverage

The SailRacer media team have been busy on and off the water, capturing all the action from the Mirror Worlds 

Race 8

69776 70559 70515 70506 70519 70574 

Tom Lovesey wins race 7

Tom Lovesy dominated race 7 leading from the first mark and built up a huge margin by the finish. Behind him the battle for second was a fierce one. Last reach the breeze really kicked in at over 20 knots. Top few: 70559 70535 69776 70502 

Race 6 complete

Chris and Jessica rust won a thrilling first race of the day sailed in glorious conditions. They were pushed hard all the way by 70506 and Andy and Tom Smith. Top few results: 70537 70506 70513 70519 69667 70546 RC are setting up for next race  

Tension mounts on Day 4

As the 2009 Mirror World Championship at Pwllheli builds towards a climax the top five competitors know that today's races will be key to their chances of overall victory. Currently leading the regatta is Charlotte Fitzgerald and Annie Sibthorp who hold a three point lead over European Champions Chris and Jessica Rust. In third and just two points behind is Hugo Sloper and Emma Spruce. Both Andy Smith and son Tom as well as Izy Fitzgerald & Emily Peters share the same points and are poised to pounce in fourth and fifth respectively. 

Sail.TV Roundup of Day 4 Action

As the 2009 Mirror World Championship at Pwllheli builds towards a climax the top five competitors know that today's races will be key to their chances of overall victory. Currently leading the regatta is Charlotte Fitzgerald and Annie Sibthorp who hold a three point lead over European Champions Chris and Jessica Rust. In third and just two points behind is Hugo Sloper and Emma Spruce. Both Andy Smith and son Tom as well as Izy Fitzgerald & Emily Peters share the same points and are poised to pounce in fourth and fifth respectively.  

Day 4, Thursday - Mirror Worlds

The penultimate day of the Mirror Worlds is looking the best weather wise with a moderate breeze and some sunshine.  

Race 4 & 5 Videos

The penultimate day of the Mirror Worlds is looking the best weather wise with a moderate breeze and some sunshine.   

Video interview with Izy Fitzgerald and Emily Peters

The penultimate day of the Mirror Worlds is looking the best weather wise with a moderate breeze and some sunshine.    

Finish race 5

Last beat 70504 takes the gun from 70533 after a little tacking match. Close behind is 70557. Next 70502 69776 70513 steals it from 70537 70102 

70533 leads approaching leeward gare

First three boats locked together at mark and all gybe together. After mark 70533 and 70502 and IRL70533 were involved in a luffing match. 70502 did turns.  

Leaders bangingl eft of second beat

Breeze softening to 5 knots.  

Leeward gate

Very close betwen first three boats. At leeward gate leaders take left hand mark 70533 70504 70502 70352 70537 69776 70557 70558 70505 70513 

Leading boat yellow flagged on first reach

At wing mark Close battle for first and second now between IRL70533 70502 next is 69776 70557 70504 70552 70537 70557 just performed 720 on run.  

Emma and Martina Barry lead around first mark

70352 Then IRL70533 then 69776 70533 70502 70557 70704 70537 70505 70558 70513 70574 70465 70172 70562 50735 

Leaders coming in from from left of the beat

70352 Then IRL70533 then 69776 70533 70502 70557 70704 70537 70505 70558 70513 70574 70465 70172 70562 50735  

Race 5 away

Fleet evenly spread along the line. Boats coming off the middle of the line look to be leading.  

General recall for start of race 5

Tough day for the race comittee and a long one for the sailors. The fleet are circling the RC boat to check who has been black flagged.  

Just spoke to Andy Smith

he finished 9th in that race and he told us the breeze has been flicking around a lot during the racing. He described it as 'scary'.  

We have just video interviewed Fitzgerald and Emily Peters

They told us they were delighted with their win and said they didn't expect to Ger into first. We will post the full video interview when we get ashore.  

AP posted

RC have aborted that start and are resetting the line 

Five minute gun

Heavy port bias and tide pushing fleet towards the line.  

Line set for race 5

Six to seven knots of breeze.  

Izy Fitzgerald wins first of the day

70535 69776 70502 

64943 wins first Beach Worlds race

64909 takes comfortable second 

58375 lead Beach fleet by some distance

64909 are in second. Closely followed by 69647 and 63244 as boats start second lap.  

Championship fleet under AP as Beach fleet set up for racing

While the main fleet wait for wind the Beach fleet are set up for their first race of the day. Ten boats are jockeying for position on a short start line a few hundred yards from the beach.  

Fleet held ashore for wind to settle

It seems there is no happy medium with the UK weather. It's either blowing dogs off chains or Harry Flatters. Right now the fleet is rigged and ready on Abererch Beach but the RC has held them ashore as they wait for the forecast 10 knot breeze to arrive. From our Media Rib on the water we can hear the chattering from the competitors clearly. Hurry up and wait.  

What a difference a day makes!

The storms of yesterday, which looked as if they were never going to fade, did finally subside in the early hours of this morning. Conditions here in Pwllheli are now much more benign with cloudy skies and a gentle five knots of breeze blowing. We are scheduled for a long day on the water with four races planned to try and catch up a little after yesterday's enforced layday.... 

Day 3 - Wednesday, Mirror Worlds

After no racing on Day 2, competitors are waking to another wet and windy day, fingers crossed the breeze will ease to allow the Worlds to get back on track. 

Video interview with Andy and Tom Smith

With no sailing today we grabbed an interview with Andy & Tom Smith to chat about their mixed performance on the first day at the 2009 Mirror World Championship. 

Mirror designer's son attends Mirror World Championship....

Amongst the welcome visitors at the 2009 Mirror World Championship in Pwllheli is Johnny Bucknall, son of the original Mirror designer and TV DIY celebrity Barry Bucknall. Johnny who is in town for a couple of days to soak up the atmosphere of the World Championship said he was delighted to see so many people enjoying the Mirror experience. 'I was about seven when my dad produced the very original Mirror prototype.... 

No racing on day two...

A short while ago the Race Team made the sensible decision that the wind conditions are too strong to safely send the fleet afloat and has accordingly posted flag N, which means that racing is officially canceled for today. Conditions for tomorrow look better and the plan at this stage is start racing at 11AM and try to get four races completed. 

Change of heart....

Mirror legend Guy Wilkins has just arrived back in Pwllheli having seen the fantastic sailing going on at the Worlds yesterday. Guy was a competitor at last week's UK National Championship here in North Wales but made the decision not to sail this week at the Worlds. However back in London he was avidly watching the day one action online via the Official Worlds website. Eventually it all became too much to bear and he realised he just had to be involved. Having re-packed the boat and wetsuits he made the trek back to Pwllheli and arrived here this morning. Nice one Guy! It's good to have you back.... 

Wild and windy on Day two...

Competitors at the 2009 Mirror Worlds have been greeted by twenty five knots winds and big seas on their arrival at the regatta centre this morning. With racing looking uncertain today, the race committee will be sending a rib out to the racecourse at ten o'clock to accurately assess the conditions. Based on this information and the most up to date weather forecast a decision will be made regarding today's racing schedule. 

Day 2, Tuesday - Mirror Worlds

Competitors at the 2009 Mirror Worlds have been greeted by twenty five knots winds and big seas on their arrival at the regatta centre this morning. With racing looking uncertain today, the race committee will be sending a rib out to the racecourse at ten o'clock to accurately assess the conditions. Based on this information and the most up to date weather forecast a decision will be made regarding today's racing schedule. 

Day 1 Press Release

It has been a great day for the family crew pairings on the first day of the 2009 Mirror World Championship in Pwllheli, North Wales. All three races were won by brother and sister or father and son teams. Chris and Jessica Rust from Brightlingsea SC lead the Championship with an impressive 2, 3, 7 scoreline.  

Day 1 Video Interviews

It has been a great day for the family crew pairings on the first day of the 2009 Mirror World Championship in Pwllheli, North Wales. All three races were won by brother and sister or father and son teams. Chris and Jessica Rust from Brightlingsea SC lead the Championship with an impressive 2, 3, 7 scoreline.   

Christopher and Jessica Rust lead after three races on day one...

Christopher and Jessica Rust from Brightlingsea SC lead the 2009 Mirror World Championship after three exciting races on day one in Pwllheli, North Wales. Their impressive 2, 3, 7 socreline gives them a three point margin over second placed Ed and Beth Grey who won the first race of the day in fine style. After winning the pin end of the line they were able to tack and cross the fleet. Although they rounded the first mark in second place they took the lead on the first reach and were never challenged from then onwards. Ed and Beth who are from the Royal Windermere YC and won the 2008 Mirror Swedish Championship, said conditions on the water made for superb sailing. 'The downwind sailing was great with plenty of surfing opportunities.' said Ed. 'Going upwind was more difficult in the monster waves.'.... 

First leeward gate race 3

70513 has a big lead over 70506 Next: 70519 70535 70559 70574 70537 Great surfing conditions.  

Race 3 away

South African boat nailed the pin and leads the fleet away to the left.  

General recall race 3

Breeze is up to 16 knots. Pin bias on line. In sequennce for next start.  

One boat still racing

URL 70444 is the back marker by a long way. They are perseveringl however and on final reach. Should be finished in next five minutes.  

Race two fi9nish

70502 70513 70537 70504 70315 70558 70356 70548 

Second windward mark

Breeze still at around 13-14 knots. 770502 70546 70523 70537 70356 70504  

Only two capsizes so far

Bot were righted quockly.. Leaders are around leewrd gate for first time and heading to the right of the best. All very close between top five. 

First mark

70536 70502 70546 70537 70513 70504 70515  

Race two uner way

The fkeet is away for race two. Leaders look to be coming from the middle of the line. Breeze is at 16 knots at the windward mark. Breeze in left phase so most oof the fleet are on por5t right now. 

Still waiting

Mark boats reporting wind at 240 blowing 13 knots. We should be under way soon. 

Resetting course

Breeze has gone left so RC has moved windward mark accordingly. 

Setting up for race two

Line is set. Breeze has built slightly snd conditions are getting more lumpy. We are at the windward mark  

Race one complete

Race one has been sailed in soarkling conditions. 15 knots bright sunshine and 15 knots of breeze.. We are now on station in the media boat to cover race two although it is pretty lumpy out here!  

World Championship fleet puts to sea...

The 2009 Mirror World Championship fleet are a spectacular sight as they make their way to the race area on day 1 of the regatta. With the sun breaking through, ten knot breeses and with the Snowdonia mountain range as a back drop the scene is set for a perfect day's racing here in Pwllheli... 

Worlds fleet prepare for racing on Day 1

Good morning from the media team on Day 1 of the 2009 Mirror World Championship. Thankfully the high winds of yesterday have moderated and the general weather system in play here in Pwllheli appears much more suitable for racing. That said there is still plenty of breeze for the competitors to deal with as well as some lumpy conditions left over from the gales of the previous day..... 

Monday Day 1 of Worlds

The wind has eased the sun shining, all competitors in the Worlds are ready to go 

International fleet gathers on eve of 2009 Mirror World Championship

On the eve of the 2009 Mirror World Championship at Pwllheli, North Wales, competitors were able to make their final preparations before the scheduled start of racing tomorrow. The forecast weather front, which hit the North Wales coast in the early hours of this morning, made for a damp and blustery start to the day but conditions began to improve around lunchtime. The strong winds are not expected to die down before late tonight, however hopes are still high that the low pressure will have passed through before morning. 

World Championship competitors parade to opening ceremony...

This evening resplendent in their country team uniforms, the entire hundred and seven World Championship crews took part in a noisy and colourful parade from the town to the official opening ceremony at Pwllheli Sailing Club. 

Competitor parade set to go ahead despite blustery conditions....

The weather system currently situated over the World Championship regatta site is set to move through this afternoon and hopes are high that the planned Competitor Parade from the town of Pwllheli to the Championship Opening Ceremony at the main marquee will go ahead. Currently the wind is screaming through the rigging in the dinghy park and out in the bay conditions are pretty extreme with the wind topping 35 knots at times. Happily the weather forecast for the first day of racing tomorrow calls for a much more suitable 10 - 14 knots.  

Kearney & Jones ready for Worlds challenge...

Newly crowned 2009 UK Mirror National Champions Ross Kearney and Katy Jones are looking forward to the racing at the 2009 Mirror World Championship which kicks off in Pwllheli tomorrow. However, neither of them are in any doubt about the challenge ahead. ‘The Worlds fleet will be tougher even than the Nationals’ commented Kearney. ‘With more boats on the startline it will be hard for anyone to guarantee a consistent set off results.’ .............. 

Welcome to the media coverage of the 2009 Mirror World Championship

Good morning from a wet and windy Pwllheli, where competitors at the 2009 World Championship have a day to complete the official regatta scrutineering process, before racing start tomorrow. UK Mirror Class chief measurer Martin Egan is heading up a twelve strong team volunteers and explains the process: 'For the main Championship fleet we are scrutineering all the boats. We check a variety of things such as the weight of the boats and the depth that the centreboard projects beneath the boat. We are also checking that all sails have been officially measured and stamped and that key dimensions on the masts like the spinnaker halliard exit point are in the correct place.....  

Provisional Results

1st Ross Kearney and Katy Jones 2nd Tom Lovesey and Milly Pugh 3rd Charlotte Fitz and Andy Sipthorp 

Day 3

The sun is shining, with light winds for the final day of the Nationals. Results up to Race 6, Race 7 finished, R8 starting  

Display of Day 1 photographers

Peter Newton who took some awesome photos on Monday, will be back at PSC on Sunday and Tuesday 

Day 2 of Mirror Nationals

Competitors are waking to moderating winds, three race scheduled. First mark roundings now in 

strong Winds on Day 1

Day 1 of the Mirror Nationals kicked off with a brisk breeze and big seas that had being building over the last few days. This led to a short postponment to allow the Race Officers to assess the conditions. 

Day 1 of the Nationals

Race 1 underway, good solid F5 

Measurement and Registration

Event measurement is under way 

Preparation

An army of helpers have descended on the Race Office to pack the 100s of event polo shirts, caps, programmes, brochures and other goodies.  

Arrivals

Four of the RYA ribs have arrived on a low loader 

Jib Numbers

All boats will carry Jib numbers which have now been allocated 

Pre-Nationals Training

UK National Coach Peter Aitken has just started the pre-nationals training for 19 boats 

Competitors starting to arrive

Pwllheli SC is seeing a buzz of activity as the first competitors have started to arrive. 

Win a MK3 Mirror

The penultimate day of the Worlds will see the prize draw for the MK3 Winder Mirror package, could this be you ? 

Media coverage at the Worlds

The Mirror Worlds will be one of most media friendly ever, with on water reporting, SMS alerts and broadcast TV crew 

Firmhelm to support the Beach Worlds

We are pleased to annouce that local chandlery Firmhelm will be supporting the Mirror Beach Worlds. Each boat will receive a £10.00 voucher redeemable with purchases at their Chandlery/Leisurewear shop. There will also be some great spot prizes. Firmhelm are also offering a 10% discount to all competitors, family, friends and officials during the event period.  

Mirror Worlds Shop

Order your event merchandise 

Prizes galore

Prizes galore for the Nationals and Worlds, over 100 keeper prizes arrived today 

Mirror #3 on show at Pwllheli

Along side the latest Mirror #70600, which can be won in the IMCA fund raising raffle you will also be able to see one of first ever Mirrors #3.  

Event programme and SIs

The programme has now gone off to the printers, but please feel free to download in advance as it contains plenty of useful information. 

Pre-nationals training at Pwllheli

Two days of training with UK National Coach, enter now 

Event Polos

Each competitor will receive a free event polo shirt, please confirm sizes 

Oceanair Junior Worlds

All juniors will be eligible for the Oceanair Junior World Championships. 

Beach Worlds

We are pleased to announce that the entry fee to the Beach Worlds is now just £10, please enter now 

Club Details

 
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