48 boats entered this weekend’s open which incorporated the GP14 Northerns. Wall to wall sunshine, though the wind was somewhat less consistent as it swung through 60 degrees, and regularly eased and before picking up again.

Three races were sailed back to back, with a couple of individual recalls, and one general recall in the last race for the F15s, though there was no sign of the black flag.

The variable wind conditions did create opportunities to gain, or lose, positions. It was notable that 3x F15 world champion was mid fleet after the first beat of the first race,having been held on by another boat but, as ever, he gradually made up ground till he was leading, and finish the day with three straight wins. Mike Preston/Mike Harris are lying 2nd overnight, with Andy McKee/Rich Jones 3rd.

There was mixed fortunes in the GPs, but Andy Smith/Ali Rimmer secured two wins and a third to take overnight lead. Russ/Ali Cormack are 2nd,with Dave Lawson/Joe Roberts 3rd.

To some extent Sunday was more of the same, with sunshine and a shifty, variable, breeze. The morning start time didn’t help matters as there was little indication as to how the wind would ‘settle’. The starting area was moved a couple of times before it was determined what the wind direction was most likely to be!

The wind freshened throughout the first race, with some semi planing conditions for a while, and the OD had plans to make more use of the lake for the 2nd and final race. However, those plans were blown apart when the wind faded again…

The start line was relocated for the final race, but the wind backed towards the northa again, so marks were hurriedly more throughout the race to try and maintain some beats.

All in all a challenging time for the race officials and competitors alike, but it led to some great racing, frustrating at times, that many competitors fully appreciated.

In the f15s, Steve Goacher/Martin Huett’s lead proved to be untouchable and they were overall winners, but strong results by Andy McKee moved him up to 2nd, with Mike Preston 3rd.

Similarly, in the GPs Andy Smith/Ali Rimmer maintainted their lead to become northern area champions, while great results by Dave Lawson/Joe Roberts moved them up to 2nd overall, with Russ/Ali Cormack 3rd.

Final results

Saturday’s racing started with rumbling thunder in the distance but nothing materialised locally thankfully.

The OD set the course and then the wind shifted significantly. In the Asymmetric fleet the series hung on the day’s results as no other earlier races had been sailed. Oscar & Rory did the business in their Feva showing the oldies how it’s done and had the best results on the day to win the series.

In the normal symmetric fleet Alan & Sue in the GP14 secured a 3rd & 1st. Steve and Elaine in the Enterprise also had a 1st and 3rd on the day but Alan & Sue take the series as they had some earlier results to count.

Final results

Sunday’s competitors were greeted with a fresh breeze coming down the lake, and wall to wall sunshine.

They were the final races in the Sunday long series. In the handicap fleet Neil & Archie won the first race with Caroline in the Lightning 2nd. Shortly before the second race Neil and Archie’s tiller stock decided enough was enough, so that was an end to their day. In the second race Steve & Elaine in the Ent won by a matter of seconds over Olivia in the ILCA4. Neil & Archie take the series.

In the GP14 fleet Alan & Sue took both races, and the series on countback being equal on points with Val & Ken.

In the MT fleet William Clark won the first race and Saskia in the Opi the second. But it was Robyn who took the series with two 2nds today. Which is a brilliant result as she’s come through the training on Saturday morning recently.

Final results

This weekend a lot of our regular sailors headed of to Ullswater for their annual Lord Birkett event. That left low numbers on the water at Bass.

On Saturday we had the conclusion of the Saturday long series. David won both races in the ILCA6 followed by Neil & Archie in the RS400 in the first race, and Val & Ken in the GP14 in the second. David secured the series with a convincing set of results.

MT etc final results

On Sunday we had 2 races in the Sunday long series. Neil & Archie escaped Val and Ken in the first race as conditions favoured the Asymmetric. In the MT fleet Andy Tunnicliffe won the first race in the Mirror. But the series is a Parnaby lockout with Robyn currently leading Francis with 2 races remaining.

The the second race Neil & Archie did a bit of fishing with their kite much to the amusement of their fellow competitors. Val and Ken went on to win on handicap.

Neil & Archie have enough to secure the series.

BT etc latest results

It is with sadness that we share that Dave Williamson of Derwent Water marina has passed away.

Dave was was a long time friend and supporter of Bass SC especially during NSSA regattas held at the club.

Our thoughts are with Dave’s family at this sad time.

Bassenthwaite had a rather quiet Championship weekend due to our youth squad and their families travelling over to Derwent Reservoir for the Youth Northern Championships. That left a fleet of 9 handicap, 3 Asymmetric and 3 GP14s to enjoy the sun and medium sw breeze.

In the GP14s we had Alan and Sue winning the first race, with Val and Ken the second. John and Jack sailed round to test their new boat but retired from the results in each race. So that meant Val and Ken were overnight leaders on count back.

In the handicap David in a ILCA6 led with a 1st and 2nd followed by Neil and Rory in the Flying Fifteen with a 1st and 3rd.

In the Asymmetric fleet Mark had 2 convincing wins in his RS100.

Sunday whilst very sunny and warm lacked the wind of Saturday. So after an hour and a half wait for the wind to fill in it was decided to abandon the racing.
So the overnight results stood.

Final results

Of the 39 boats entered for this year’s NWYJTT, 23 were visitors, though, due to the windy conditions, only 31 raced on Saturday.

Olivia Dembinska from Bass, counting two 1sts, was overnight leader ahead of James Reekie with a 1st and a 2nd. Evie Pickles from Delph (and Bass) lying 4th as lead visitor

Light winds on Sunday delayed racing. Eventually some wind filled down the lake so they all headed off, and enjoyed being towed out across the lake. The wind then died, but it came back in the narrows at Scarness, as a result shore spectators couldn’t see any of the racing . The OD persevered and managed to get two races in, with the last one literally one minute before the 3.30 cut-off for starting races.

James Reekie and Poppy Moss in a Feva XL from Bass took the overall honours with a net 5 points having won both of the day’s races, with Olivia 2nd in her ILCA4, just one point behind. James’ brother Andrew secured 3rd in his Tera Sport. Jessica Warner in her Tera Pro secured 4th overall as best visitor.

Following the winter storm damage, and significant repairs, the grounds team and many helpers, well coordinated by Andy T, successfully refloated the jetty and link bridge on Sunday. congratulations on a job well done!

Now that it’s in position, some further commissioning work is required before it’ll be back in use.

We are saddened to learn of the recent death of long term honorary member Ken Allen after a short illness.

In the past, Ken was a keen sailor in the GP and F15 fleets, and served as the club’s honorary engineer for many years.

Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Angela, and all of his family at this sad time.

Saturday’s racing looked initially to be quite breezy which may have put a few of our regular sailors off after Thursday’s excitement. However as the course was set the wind began to ease and that was the theme of the day.

In the handicap fleet Chris and Noah were little keen coming into the line and started prematurely resulting in a trip back across the start line. Rory led the fleet round but it was Dave in the ILCA6 that won comfortably on handicap.

In the GP14s Val and Ken led James and Jenny round and enjoyed the couple of spinnaker gybes the OD had kindly put in the course for them. Well it looked like they enjoyed it from the committee boat.

Second race the wind started to shift and ease further which meant some funny conditions in that there was a chop from down the lake but not much wind. As a result the boats that did one lap did well so on handicap Saskia in the Opi took the win.

In the handicap fleet Caroline currently leads the series, whilst Val and Ken lead the GP14s

Latest MT results

Sunday’s racing had a late start due to the OD having mixed up the start time… maybe or possibly a good party the night before.

In the Handicap fleet Robin and Mike once again came home winners… hopefully some other FF will show up so they can go back to their fleet. In the GP14s Dave and Lynn came in winners. They lead the GP14 series whilst Neil & Archie lead the handicap series.

BT etc latest results

The second race was the Calvert trust Pennant.

Once again Archie, who his father suggests is colour blind mixed up Port and Starboard… so that was the end of that! Perhaps his father should test the logic of the course?…

The rest of the race was a battle between Robin and Mike in the Fifteen trying to get a big enough gap on Dave and Lynn in the GP14. But amazingly in the end it was a tie. They can fight over it at the dinner dance.

Calvert Trust pennant results

Thursday’s Night Jar looked like possible champagne conditions. Heatwave and a nice 10knots of breeze. However the weather gods had other ideas.

The fleet headed out and the wind began to pick up almost immediately. By the time the race started it was gusting 30knots. Some of the wiser sailors thought better of it and headed ashore leaving an Optimist, 3 ILCAs, the Lightning, a couple of RS200s and a RS400.

First lap had a few cooling off in the water but all was good. Second lap the wind went up a level which left most of the fleet having a swim.

Neil & Archie managed to break the centreboard casing righting the boat.🫣 One of the RS200s sank after springing a leak. However sailor of the evening was Saskia in the Opi she stayed upright the longest showing the rest how it’s done.

As conditions had worsened at this point the OD made the call to abandon the race and bring the fleet in.