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The Three Peaks Yacht Race is more than a yacht race, its an endurance event, and for Barmouth it's a great day out in the town. The sun shone all day, I strummed the first chord at 11 am soon to be joined by the Welsh Elvis. People lined the quay to watch us, watch the boats in final preparation, listen to the commentary from the harbour office, visit the various quayside stalls or eat ice cream in the sunshine. We plastered on the suncream while some of the younger ones had their faces painted instead. Roy Ellis and the Buzzards also entertained, then guitar maestro Mark Stratos (who really should have lent Elvis his mirror shades!) and finally young singer Donna Lea who reminded me of Janis Joplin to look at, and sounded like herself only more mature since I last heard her. Drummer John sang Superstition with bass player Mike Cusato before Donna finished the quayside entertainment dueting with her dad Gwynfor, on Proud Mary "Rollin on the River" just before the boats started to roll out to sea.
Batala Bermo created a real carnival atmosphere as they looked and drummed at their best. No wonder their diary of engagements is filling up so fast. I recorded part of their set on the quay, but could only hear from a distance as they played as the boats left harbour on their 389 mile journey (plus 72 miles of running and 27 miles of cycling)
Dave Bird, sailing as part of local team Prairie Oyster, raising money for cancer charity Tenovus, passed us carrying the winners cup to HQ. Dave we hope you bring the cup back to Barmouth this year. Good luck and safe passage to all contestants.
Thanks to all participants and all sponsors including POWERBAR
For more information on the boats progress, now helped by satellite tracking, race reports etc, visit official site www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk
video of Batala Bermo Video of the Buzzards Video of Mark Stratos
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