Anyone who has sailed with a yacht crew will know just how bonding that experience can be.

From the moment the boat is launched, the crew hauls away as one cohesive body, resulting in  one of the strongest team ethics imaginable.

But if you’re female, then a degree of  ‘gender division’ may rear its dampening head, quashing your confidence, your ability and your downright enjoyment of being at sea.

But now, thanks to the foresight of local vet Charlotte Hamilton and her iconic pink boat,  ladies of all ages and all sailing abilities are being introduced to the joys of sailing whilst supporting two of the UK’s foremost  breast cancer charities – Breast Cancer Now and Metup UK.

Two years ago Charlotte lost one of her closest friends to breast cancer,  following a ten-year battle after she was diagnosed with the disease when she was just 23.  In 2022, Charlotte’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer; thankfully has made a complete recovery.

“Because of what I’ve witnessed, with my mother and with Connie, who was my best friend from college, breast cancer is something that’s very close to me,” Charlotte told The Pembrokeshire Herald from her home in Neyland.

“Connie was only 23 when she was diagnosed, but by then, the cancer had gone to her liver as they initially thought it was hormonal. She fought it for ten years and always wanted to visit Pembrokeshire, but sadly she died two weeks before she was due to come and visit.”

As a result, the pink boat is being sailed in memory of Connie, while the women who are learning to sail her are called ‘The Pink Puffins’.

Charlotte, who is a vet with the Fenton Vets practise in Haverfordwest, was given the boat some 18 months ago by her husband, Lloyd.

“Lloyd is a keen sailor who regularly races on the Cleddau,  but I’d never really taken part,” she explains.  “So  the idea was for me to start building my sailing confidence.  Last summer I took the boat out with two other women and we enjoyed it so much it got us thinking about starting to race.  If the men can do it, so can we.”

The boat is an Achilles 24 cruise-racer, capable of reaching decent speeds and covering good distances.

“She’s capable of crossing the Atlantic, although The Pink Puffins are perfectly content to stick with the Cleddau for the time being,” laughed Charlotte.

“Since launching her a few weeks ago, we now have around 40 women who are starting to sail her,. We train every Sunday at Neyland and we took part in our very first race last Wednesday.

“Ok, we didn’t win, but being able to take part was fantastic and that’s the whole purpose of The Pink Puffins.  It’s about having fun, and the women taking part can do as much or as little as they like.  A lot of women have never set foot on a sailing boat before, and because it tends to be such a male-orientated thing, the thought of learning to sail can be a bit intimidating. So if somebody wants to come out with us just to watch, that’s perfectly fine.  And if they want to get involved with sailing her a little later on, then that’s great.”

The interest that is already being shown and the rise in numbers means that additional racing sessions will be  introduced later this season on Sundays.

Everyone attending the training sessions and the races is asked to make a donation which will be shared between Breast Cancer Now and Metup UK, however  individuals can give as much or as little as they choose. If anyone is interested in finding out more about The Pink Puffins can email Charlotte on sailpinkpuffins@hotmail.com

SUNDERLAND 0 – 1 SWANSEA CITY
SWANSEA CITY’S resurgence under interim boss Alan Sheehan continued on Saturday (Apr 12) as a second-half goal from Ben Cabango secured a well-earned away win against play-off-bound Sunderland.

Despite Sunderland having already confirmed their place in the Championship play-offs, the Black Cats were eager to secure a top-four finish – which would guarantee a home tie in the second leg of the semi-finals. Swansea, on the other hand, came into the match in good form, having won their previous two fixtures and all but secured mid-table safety.

It was a balanced opening 45 minutes, with both teams creating chances. Sunderland had the ball in the net through Wilson Isidor, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Swansea’s Lewis O’Brien tested the home keeper on a couple of occasions, and Tommy Watson had a decent opportunity for the hosts, only to be denied by the legs of Swans’ goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

The breakthrough came just before the hour mark. A free-kick from Eom Ji-sung was met by Harry Darling, whose header crashed off the crossbar. Cabango reacted first, smashing the rebound into the roof of the net to give Swansea a deserved lead.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser in the final half hour, with Eliezer Mayenda and Trai Hume both going close. A late penalty shout was waved away by the referee, and despite the hosts’ late pressure, Swansea held firm to claim all three points.

The result keeps Sunderland fourth in the table, 12 points ahead of Bristol City with four games remaining. Swansea move up to 12th – closer to the play-off spots than the relegation zone.

What the managers said:

Sunderland head coach, Regis Le Bris, admitted frustration: “It was a frustrating day. We didn’t create enough clear chances and struggled to find the right rhythm. Credit to Swansea – they were organised and made it difficult for us.”

Swansea City interim boss, Alan Sheehan, praised his players’ resilience: “It’s never easy playing three times in a week, but we started really positively and probably should’ve been ahead earlier. Second half, we had to dig deep and defend our box – and we did that brilliantly.”

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY earned a valuable point in their final away game of the Cymru Premier season with a 1-1 draw against Cardiff Metropolitan University on Friday (April 11).

In a tightly-contested match at Cyncoed Campus, Adam Roscrow gave the home side the lead five minutes before half time, but the Bluebirds drew level in the 68th minute when goalkeeper Kelland Absalom inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

The result strengthens Haverfordwest’s grip on third place, extending their lead over Caernarfon Town to six points with one match remaining. The Canaries would now need to win both of their final fixtures and overturn a 12-goal deficit to leapfrog County in the table.

Few chances, plenty of fight

Both sides pressed with intent from the start, and it was the visitors who threatened first. Kyle Kenniford’s quick footwork opened up space to release Owain Jones, who burst into the box and fired from a tight angle, only to find the side netting.

Cardiff Met responded through experienced winger Eliot Evans, whose deep delivery was met by Ryan Reynolds—his looping header narrowly clearing the bar.

The breakthrough came in the 40th minute after a mix-up at the back. Zac Jones’ attempted clearance struck Barnaby Soady, and the ball fell kindly for a shot that was heading wide—until Roscrow pounced to steer it in at the far post.

Just before the break, Owain Jones had a chance to level, but his shot lacked composure and sailed over.

Own goal levels things up

Cardiff Met came out strongly after the interval, with captain CJ Craven testing Zac Jones from range. At the other end, Rhys Abbruzzese led the charge for Haverfordwest, winning the ball high and making room for a shot that curled wide.

The hosts remained dangerous on the counter, and Zac Jones had to be alert to deny Jac Clay after a midfield error.

Haverfordwest’s persistence finally paid off in the 68th minute in bizarre fashion. A cross from Jacob Owen found Kenniford, whose shot rebounded off the post, struck Absalom, and trickled over the line—giving the Bluebirds a deserved equaliser.

Sensing an opportunity to snatch all three points, Greg Walters surged down the flank and found Ben Ahmun with a low cross, but the substitute’s effort went straight into the arms of the Cardiff Met keeper.

Late pressure from the home side nearly saw them win it when Tom Vincent powered a header goalwards, but Zac Jones pulled off a brilliant reflex save to preserve the point.

Solid season continues

The result means Haverfordwest have lost to just three teams all season—The New Saints, Penybont, and Flint Town United—and head into next weekend’s clash with league leaders TNS full of confidence before turning attention to the European play-offs.

Line-up: Z. Jones, Humphreys (J. Owen 58’), Jenkins, Rees (C), McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters, Kenniford, Hawkins, O. Jones (Ahmun 58’).
Subs not used: Knott, H. John, Watkins, L. Owen, D. John.

Photo:

Keeper’s nightmare: Absalom’s own goal helped Haverfordwest secure a draw (Pic by John Smith/FAW)