The weather played havoc with the racing during first Round of the Holt RYA National Ranking Series at Pwllheli this weekend

The weather played havoc with Round 1 of the Holt RYA National Ranking Series in Pwllheli, Wales, at the weekend (6-7 April); frustratingly it was a case of too much breeze or none at all.

A total of 86 sailors signed up for the first event, including 20 49ers, eight 470s, 11 Europes, ten Finns and nine Mistrals.

Saturday brought gale force winds and choppy seas, causing the race committee to take the decision to postpone the racing. Sailors could only hope for less breeze the next day and went off to enjoy a social evening sponsored by Holt.

Sunday’s racing had the opposite problem to the first day, and although one start almost got away, the wind died to nothing, leaving the race committee with the same option as Saturday and they again had to cancel all racing as the wind failed to show its face.

This means that the Holt RYA National Rankings list stands from last year with Debbie Winstanley (Ayshire) leading the Europe class, Graham Vials and Dan Newman (Hampshire) at the top of the 470 class, Paul Brotherton and Simon Hiscocks (Hampshire) leading the 49ers, Charlie Cumbley (Teignmouth) heading up the Finn class and Gavin Rogers leading the Mistral windsurfing class.

Round two of the Holt RYA National Ranking Series is being hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club on May 4-5. Competitors can register on the day from 1000, with the first race scheduled to start at 1200. Racing will take place in Europes, 470, Finns and 49ers and there’ll be two race days with a social event sponsored by Holt on the Saturday evening.

The Holt RYA National Ranking Series consists of five meetings in total, the others are scheduled to be sailed at Weymouth on the 26-27 October in Europes, 470s, Finns, 49ers, Tornados, Ynglings and 2.4mRs, Rutland on the 9-10 November in Europes, 470s, Finns, Tornados and 2.4mRs and finally Warsash on the 16-17 November in 470s, Finns, 49ers, Tornados and Ynglings.