Large gathering at Solva (From Western Telegraph)

Large gathering at Solva

Spectators and competitors were witness to one of the largest gathering of longboats ever seen when no less than 50 teams turned out to compete at Solva on Sunday for the latest round of the Dale Sailing Longboat League championship.

In the Ladies and junior race it was the three top teams yet again who set the pace ahead of a very strong field of 11 teams.

Ceibwr and Newport, Llangwm A and Aberystwyth A pushed ahead just behind the very impressive junior team from Gwbert.

By the first turn it was the Newport team in their boat Carningli that had the lead over the rest of the ladies, with Llangwm and Aberystwyth competing hard to stay in touch; a few lengths behind.

It was their fellow clubmates in the B teams along with the Solva A and Fishguard who were having their own battle. However, up at the front with the Newport team in a very determined mood there was no catching them, as they rowed home to record their first win of the season, followed by Llangwm A, Aberystwyth A, Aberystwyth B, Llangwm B, Solva A, Solva Vets, Fishguard, Llangwm C, Solva C and Solva B.

The Juniors from Gwbert were the overall winners. In the Mens race an impressive line up of 17 teams got off to a good start as they headed towards the first turn buoy some one and a half miles up the coast.

As they approached the first turn it was the hot favourites from Aberystwyth who had a slight lead from the local Solva team in their boat Auntie Mattie, followed by Gwbert, Aberystwyth B, Fishguard A and Ceibwr and Newport. As they headed back to the last turn for home Aberystwyth were unable to shake off the Solva team, and with the Newport team now in third spot and catching, the scene was set for a very exciting finish.

As the teams approached the last turn with Solva pushing hard, the Aberystwyth team made a fatal course error allowing Solva to lead the race for the first time, and with less than a mile to the finish they were unstoppable, as they rowed home to rapturous home support for an amazing victory from a disappointed Aberystwyth A team with Ceibwr and Newport a close third, followed by Gwbert, Fishguard A, Aberystwyth B, Solva B, Llangwm A, Neyland A, Aberdyfi, Llangwm B, Neyland B, Fishguard B, Little Haven, Wisemans Bridge, Fishguard Vets and Aberystwyth C.

The last and most popular race of the day was the Mixed, with an incredible 18 teams entered.

Having got off to a good start it was the Ceibwr and Newport A and C teams along with Gwbert that led the field as they approached the first turn.

The Newport teams turning together headed off for the last turn with Gwbert and Aberystwyth A heading the rest of the field. By the final turn it was the Newport A team just ahead of their club mates in their boat Tonnau pushing hard to keep in contention, which is how they finished from Aberystwyth A, (in third place), Gwbert, Wisemans Bridge, Llangwm, Little Haven, Solva B, Solva A, Fishguard and Goodwick A, Llangwm C, Ceibwr and Newport B, Fishguard and Goodwick B, Solva D, Solva C, Aberystwyth B, Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth C.

Next League Race - Aberystwyth Sunday August 5th at 9.30am.