Nationals - Penzance 2008
By Cath James

Four Bala boats along with 46 others from all over the country went to Penzance for the Nationals from 10th - 15th August: Dave and Kate Eccles, Wil and Wendy Hitchman, Andy and Gez Jones and Fran Jones and Anna Fox.  Penzance SC is situated right by the harbour with the main room and bar of the clubhouse at first floor level overlooking the harbour and Mounts Bay.  The boats had to sail out of the harbour through a narrow opening for the races.

Sunday 10th August dawned VERY windy and there was some delay while the Race Officers assessed the situation.  Despite winds of 25 knots gusting 35, the two races went ahead but only half the fleet ventured out and of those who did, only three stayed upright.  Dave and Kate wisely did not go, Andy and Gez went up and down the start line before deciding that life was too short, Anna and Fran completed one lap and three capsizes before retiring, but Wendy and Wil thrived in the conditions and achieved a 5th and a 7th, much to their understandable delight.

Monday was still windy but the races went ahead on time.  Andy and Gez, and Anna and Fran were thrilled to complete the races while Wil and Wendy got another two good results.

After getting weather forecasts from the coastguards, Tuesday's races were postponed.  (The conditions were obviously unsailable.  Only tankers were seen at sea on that day and surfers enjoying the enormous waves).  Wednesday was a day off anyway and so the competitors were able to get in some sightseeing and/or rest.

There were three races back to back on the remaining two days with ideal winds of force 3-4 on the Thursday but strong winds again on the Friday, getting up to force 9 during the last race.  Gez and Andy described the terrifying/exhilarating feeling of sailing on top of huge waves, going full pelt with the kite up, not daring to move in case they disappeared into a wall of water never to be seen again!

Overall the conditions were testing even for those who enjoy strong winds and did not give the good light wind sailors a chance to prove their mettle. Socially it was a great week, though, with entertainment at the club most nights including some members of the Mousehole Male Voice Choir entertaining us with their popular songs and banter.  Apparently one of them had appeared on the X Factor and got as far as Boot camp!