Miracle Champs day 1
Published 18:52 on 22 Sep 2026
It was a typical lively weekend at Shotwick Lake for the two-day Miracle Welsh Area Miracle Championships (19/20th September). Shan Stapley was there, organising (together with Julie Dolman and many other Shotwick members) and also taking part, crewing for Dave Thomas. As well as keeping busy both on and off the water Shan has managed to capture the details of each race and how the two days of racing went. This report captures the two races held on day 1.
Day 1.
The forecast was for a moderate breeze with gusts of 30mph, typical conditions for an open aspect club like Shotwick.As it turned out the wind was strong in the morning accompanied by rain. The two races were scheduled for the afternoon.
Nine Miracles registered, with four visiting boats, from Shustoke, Delph, Staunton Harold and Leigh and Lowton.
After a tense lunch the weather moderated a little, with a brisk WNW but thankfully the morning rain eased off turning into a perfect day for some fast sailing. The officers of the day, Conrad and James were able to set a long figure of eight course utilising the whole lake with an excellent broad reach across the diagonal of the lake preceded with a tricky gybe and ending with another one for good measure!
The fleet got away cleanly for race 1, with Dave and Zara arriving at the windward mark first, followed closely by the rest of the pack. Then the fun began. A fast downwind leg was followed by a quick gybe and an exciting planing reach across the lake. Everyone was going super-fast, spinnaker up or not, with crews getting drenched with spray. The leg ended in another gybe just where the gusts seemed to lurk, although our intrepid Miracles all conquered the conditions with no one going for a swim.
After the first leg, Dave was 5 seconds in front of Wayne, with a great performance from Matt and Julie just in front of Miracle professionals Graham and Helen. It was a long hard beat back down the lake but this time Wayne and Angela nudged in front of Dave and Zara. Further down the fleet positions were changing rapidly, with close racing between Mark and Ian, Dave and Shan. Ian was quickly learning spinnaker skills on the move, an enthusiastic replacement for Marks injured crew Sara. Jim had also taken on a new crew, experienced topper help Chris, and they kept in close contention to the pack in an older Miracle with no spinnaker. Sailing serenely, a little behind, was Geoff, an 80+ helm with an unmistakeable lifejacket, thoroughly enjoying the conditions with Dav, who had volunteered to crew, expecting a more refined breeze. After six hectic laps and an hour on the water, the final places were: 1st Wayne and Angela, 2nd Dave and Zara, 3rd Matt and Julie.
There was no time for tea, as the wind threatened to build and six crews stayed on the water for race 2. This time Matt and Julie were too keen and were recalled, leaving them in 6th place at the windward mark with a lot of catching up to do. Meanwhile Dave was in first place and he gradually extended his lead at the front, from 14 seconds ahead of Wayne on lap 1 to 90 secs at the finish! The rest of the fleet maintained position in exhilarating conditions on the water, with plenty of waves and gusts to contend with, the safety crew remained vigilant but were not needed.
Heading back to shore everyone enjoyed a very well deserved tea and cake, provided by our lovely galley ladies, Dot and Sandra. Whilst the talk was of the fun sailing and sore body parts, the O.Ds were totting up the scores. After two races, two boats tied for 1st place, Dave and Wayne, both on 3 points. With three crews in third on 8 points, Matt/Mark/Graham.
Whilst the Miracle sailors freshened up, Dot and Sandra were busy in the galley preparing supper, in our cosy clubhouse, decorated in a suitable nautical style. All went to bed happy with the promise of easing winds and blue skies for the morning. Three more races, everything to play for.
Photo by James Stark
Last updated 18:52 on 22 September 2026
