The sun shone and many visitors had an excellent weekend’s racing with a fantastic backdrop of Skiddaw. Some even had the energy to dance the night away at the disco. The racing was close enough such that the handicap and mirror results were both dependent on whatever happened in the last race.

At the prizegiving, Bridget thanked all who had helped throughout the weekend from OD, through rescue, to catering and bar.

HANDICAP OPEN MEETING 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Crew           Club             1   2   3   4 Pts
 1     108  M FEARNLOY    59ER           MORECAMBE & HE   3   1   2   1   4
 2    1210  S HUNT        RS400          BASS             1   2   1   2   4
 3     501  N CURRIE      RS400          BASS             2   3 RTD RTD   9

                                        Points for RTD =  4   4   4   4
                                        Points for DSQ =  4   4   4   4
                                        Points for DNS =  4

 3 races to count

LASER OPEN MEETING 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Crew           Club             1   2   3   4 Pts
 1  161866  M SOMERVILLE             BASS             1   2   1 RTD   4
 2  177959  J SMITH                  WEST KIRBY SC    4   1   3   1   5
 3  166585  P WORTH                  DELPH SC         3   4   5   2   9
 4  174889  R DAWSON                 BASS             2 RTD   2 RTD  13
 5  166400  S COBB                   DRSC             8   5   4   5  14
 6  157428  C BROWN                  SCALING DAM SC   6   3   6   6  15
 7  144638  M MONTGOMERY             BASS             7   6   8   3  16
 8  261866  P HODGKINS               BASS             5   7   7   4  16

                                        Points for RTD =  9   9   9   9
                                        Points for DSQ =  9   9   9   9
                                        Points for DNS =  9

 3 races to count

MIRROR OPEN MEETING 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Crew           Club             1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   69972  B PARTRIDGE   K ROBINSON     BUDWORTH         3   1   1   4   5
 2   69683  A MACKENZIE   N BROOK        RWYC/HLSC        1   2   2   2   5
 3   70153  G HUGHES      H MITCHEL      HLSC             2   3   3   5   8
 4   70055  P HOULIHAN    M HANLON       RWYC           DNS DNS   4   1  14
 5   69675  T SMITH       R SMITH        BASS             6   6   5   3  14
 6   58625  R CWIK        R MCKEOWN      HLSC             4   4   6   7  14
 7   69727  E HOULIHAN    E MACKENZIE    RWYC             5   5   7   6  16
 8   69960  M CHAPPELL               BASS             7 RTD   8   8  23

                                        Points for RTD =  8   8   9   9
                                        Points for DSQ =  8   8   9   9
                                        Points for DNS =  9

 3 races to count

Well that’s what David Heal and Blackburn were doing during the Jimmy Lancaster Memorial Race on Sunday afternoon. David was pleased to be trying out the spinnaker in his Osprey, but mark 4 got the better of the pair each time and they continued to perfect their capsize drill. At the front of the fleet, visitor Neil Platt with Phil Smith in a F15 were continuing to increase their lead, though there was one boat that closed the gap – Neil Garrison in his Dart.

Paul Burnell had to do turns after a luffing incident with William Carruthers and Toggle Cowan, but was somewhat cheered up when William practised dredging with spinnaker!

At the end of the somewhat wet race, after the handicaps were adjusted, Neil Platt was first boat but, being a visitor, was not entitled to take the trophy which went to Mike Moore and Ian Smith.

Final results for weekend:

JIMMY LANCASTER MEMORIAL TROPHY

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1 Pts
 1    3473  M MOORE       FF           1   1
 2    3521  P BURNELL     FF           2   2
 3   13327  M FAIRLAMB    GP           3   3
 4    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF           4   4
 5   13118  V BELL        GP           5   5
 6   37814  I FLETCHER    MIR          6   6
 7    6905  N GARRISON    D 18         7   7
 8     172  J HALLIDAY    RS400        8   8
 9    1277  D HEAL        OSPREY       9   9
10   69960  M CHAPPEL     MS         RTD  13
10   13161  S SPENCE      GP         RTD  13

                     Points for RTD = 13
                     Points for DSQ = 13
                     Points for DNS = 12

 1 races to count

FF MORGAN TROPHY 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF           1   1   2   1   3
 2    3473  M MOORE       FF           3   3   1   2   6
 3    3332  W SOMERVILLE  FF           2   2 DNS DNS  10
 4    3521  P BURNELL     FF         DNS DNS RTD   3  13

                     Points for RTD =  4   4   4   4
                     Points for DSQ =  4   4   4   4
                     Points for DNS =  5

 3 races to count

FF BLENCATHRA TROPHY 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1    3473  M MOORE       FF           3   1   2   1   4
 2    3521  P BURNELL     FF           2   2 DNS   3   7
 3    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF         DNS DNS   1 DNS  19
 4    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF           1 DNS DNS DNS  19
 5    1117  K JAMIESON    FF         DNS DNS DNS   2  20
 6    3332  W SOMERVILLE  FF          OD DNS DNS DNS  21

                     Points for RTD =  4   3   3   4
                     Points for DSQ =  4   3   3   4
                     Points for DNS =  7

 3 races to count

GP14 MUSTARD POT

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   13142  R HODGKINS    GP           5 DNS   1   1  22
 2     501  N CURRIE      RS400      DNS DNS DNS   2  35
 3   13327  M FAIRLAMB    GP           3 DNS DNS   4  35
 4   13733  A HODGKINS    GP           6 DNS   2 DNS  36
 5   13655  N LEWIS       GP         DNS DNS DNS   5  38
 6   13749  H GODFREY     GP         DNS DNS DNS   3  42
 7   13791  P SMITH       GP           2 DNS DNS DNS  44
 8   13176  D LAWSON      GP           1 DNS DNS DNS  46
 9   13326  R DAWSON      TOP          4 DNS DNS DNS  46

                     Points for RTD =  7   0   3   6
                     Points for DSQ =  7   0   3   6
                     Points for DNS = 10

 4 races to count

GP SPRING CUP 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4   5   6   7 Pts
 1   13142  R HODGKINS    GP         DNS   4 DNS DNS   1   1   2   8
 2   13791  P SMITH       GP           1   1 DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD  16
 3     501  N CURRIE      RS400      DNS DNS RTD RTD DNS DNS   1  17
 4   13655  N LEWIS       GP         DNS DNS RTD   1 DNS DNS DNS  24
 5   13733  A HODGKINS    GP         DNS DNS DNS DNS   2   2 DNS  24
 6   13176  D LAWSON      GP           2   2 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  24
 7   13326  R DAWSON      TOP          3   3 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  26
 8   13327  M FAIRLAMB    GP         DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  OD  33
 9   13013  J SEDGWICK    GP         DNS   5 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  35

                     Points for RTD =  4   6   3   3   3   3   4
                     Points for DSQ =  4   6   3   3   3   3   4
                     Points for DNS = 10

 4 races to count

MIRROR AB SERIES

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   68852  N WOOD        MIR        DNS   1   1   2   2
 2   33434  S WATSON      MIR        DNS   2   2 DNS   4
 3   69960  M CHAPPEL     MS         DNS DNS DNS   1   6
 4   37814  I FLETCHER    MIR        DNS DNS DNS   3   8

                     Points for RTD =  0   3   3   4
                     Points for DSQ =  0   3   3   4
                     Points for DNS =  5

 2 races to count

MIRROR RED SAILS 2002

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4   5   6   7 Pts
 1   69960  M CHAPPEL     MS           1   1   2 RTD   1   1 DNS   4
 2   68852  N WOOD        MIR          2   2   1   1   2   2   1   5
 3   33434  S WATSON      MIR          3 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS   2  17

                     Points for RTD =  4   3   3   3   3   3   3
                     Points for DSQ =  4   3   3   3   3   3   3
                     Points for DNS =  4

 4 races to count

On Saturday, the hot sunny weather with a good southerly breeze to boot was looking extremely promising. The OD, who vowed to start on time, had to delay matters when the effects of a sea breeze started to put his plans for a course, taking the fleet around the lake, to pot. After this delay in setting a course to suit the new wind, the fleet were so eager to get down to it that there was a general recall. Fortunately, they behaved themselves after that and got off to a clean start second time around.

However, the winds had not settled down; with continual wind changes and the odd hole to contend with positions were regularly changing. Steve Goacher and Neil Platt enjoyed some good racing, but it was Neil that went on to win the first race.

The second race was held in more constant airs, and there were several battles going on throughout the race. Neil Platt again secured the lead and went on to win.

Saturday evening started with lasagne and chianti, and as the Stella started to flow a pool competition got underway. It’s anyone’s guess as to who (should have) won, but after several more Stellas very few people cared! Did this affect concentration levels for Sunday’s racing…?

Sunday threatened to be a bit of a drifter, but just before the scheduled 10.30 start the wind started to fill in from the South and the racing was under way just 15 minutes late. The lead was again a battle between Steve Goacher and Neil Platt with Steve taking command of the situation, but Neil stole his chance on the final mark rounding to take the third race and secure the series. This didn’t stop the two taking to the water for the final race. The wind had faded over lunchtime and it was hoped that a sea breeze would take over. However, although the wind filled in from the West with the sea breeze, northerly gusts of wind gave the starboard side of the beat the advantage. Steve Goacher was quick to notice this and soon had a commanding lead. The northerly gusts played their part in reducing Steve’s lead on the next beat, but he stayed ahead and didn’t make the same mistake again and he went on to win the final race.

Other prizes for the weekend went to that silvery haired Neil Currie with Toggle Cowan for their ‘outstanding’ performance in the Neil’s former F15 in the silver fleet. The Classic boat prize went to Keith Jamieson.

Overall results:

PN    Boat  Helm          Crew           Club             1   2   3   4 Pts
 1    3770  N PLATT       J MARSTON      BOLTON & WEST    1   1   1   2   3
 2    3721  S GOACHER     P EVANS        RWYC             2   2   2   1   5
 3    3673  S BEATTIE     J SOMMERVILLE  BASS             3   3   3 DNS   9
 4    3734  H GREEN       I PRESTON      LEIGH & LOWTON   7   4   5   3  12
 5    3473  M MOORE       I SMITH        BASS             4   7   6   4  14
 6    3560  I CAMPBELL    T FISHER       BASS             5   5   4   6  14
 7    3265  N CURRIE      M COWAN        BASS             6   6   7   5  17
 8    3521  P BURNELL     I MACPHERSON   BASS             8   8   8   9  24
 9    3268  W CARRUTHERS  A SMITH        BASS            10   9  10   7  26
10    3332  W SOMMERVILL  J HARDON       BASS             9  10  12  10  29
11    1117  K JAMIESON    MAFF SMITH     BASS            12  12  11   8  31
12    3281  M WATSON      D FIRTH        REYC            11  11   9 DNS  31
13    2504  S KIRKPATRIC  K THOMAS       BASS            13  13  13  11  37

                                        Points for RTD = 14  14  14  12
                                        Points for DSQ = 14  14  14  12
                                        Points for DNS = 14

 3 races to count

The GP14s were at Derwent Reservoir this weekend in the North West Area Championships. Again, we had some excellent results with Bean and Toggle securing 2nd overall, Telf and Smithster 4th, and Neil Currie with Scumper 8th.

At the club, there were two series of fleet handicap racing. The Tinker Trophy, held over Saturday and Sunday, proved to be close to the finish as the overall result depended on the last race. Returning member Simon Davis in his RS200 was kept on his toes by Mike Moore in his F15, but Simon took the last race and the series.

Monday’s racing was held in gusty conditions interspersed with the odd wind shadow. The first race was very close with the first seven boats finishing within 40 seconds on corrected time. In the afternoon, Mike Moore with Ian Smith broke away from the rest of the fleet at the start of the 2nd beat by staying out of the dreaded wind shadow for a vital few seconds. and they continued to build on this for the rest of the race. With the race being calculated on average lap times, Mike was concerned when the other fleets’ course was shortened before the F15s as the wind had eased and the pace had slowed. Miles and Joe were elated at keeping William and Alan at bay – is that enough encouragement for them to try their hand in next week’s F15 open meeting?

When the results were calculated, Mike had another 1st and took the Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy.

Weekend results:

TINKER TROPHY 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1     604  S DAVIES      RS200        1   2   4   1   8
 2    3473  M MOORE       FF           2   1   3   2   8
 3    3521  P BURNELL     FF           4   3   2   3  12
 4   13259  W ROBERTS     GP           3   4   5   4  16
 5   69675  T SMITH       MIR          6   7   1   6  20
 6  167828  I MACPHERSON  LAS          5   5   6   7  23
 7   12329  J WOOD        GP           7   6   8   9  30
 8    3385  M MIDDLETON   FF         DNS DNS   7   5  48
 9       2  B WOOD        TOP        DNS DNS   9  12  57
10    6905  N GARRISON    D 18       DNS DNS  10  11  57
11     400  T KNOWLES     RS300      DNS DNS DNS   7  61
12   33434  S WATSON      MIR        DNS   8 DNS DNS  62
13   13238  D NICHOLSON   GP         DNS   9 DNS DNS  63
14   37814  I FLETCHER    MIR        DNS DNS DNS  10  64
15   66942  J FERGUSON    LAS        DNS DNS RTD DNS  66
16   12324  L BUGLASS     GP         DNS DNS DNS RTD  69
16    3520  S BROOKES     FF         DNS DNS DNS RTD  69

                     Points for RTD =  8  10  12  15
                     Points for DSQ =  8  10  12  15
                     Points for DNS = 18

 4 races to count

PAUL CARRUTHERS MEMORIAL TROPHY 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2 Pts
 1    3473  M MOORE       FF           1   1   2
 2   13327  M FAIRLAMB    GP           2   2   4
 3  167828  I MACPHERSON  LAS          3   6   9
 4    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF           5   4   9
 5    3385  M MIDDLETON   FF           7   3  10
 6   13259  W ROBERTS     GP           4   7  11
 7    3521  P BURNELL     FF           6   5  11
 8   69675  T SMITH       MIR          8   8  16
 9   33434  S WATSON      MIR          9  10  19
10    1117  K JAMIESON    FF         DNS   9  21
11   13118  V BELL        GP          10 RTD  22

                     Points for RTD = 11  12
                     Points for DSQ = 11  12
                     Points for DNS = 12

 2 races to count

The weather forecast again put many off venturing out for a sail. However, those that did had many thrills and spills. With Rich and Philip Hodgkins running rings around their parents in Saturday’s racing, Bridget had had enough and buried her head in some marking on Sunday. Just as well, as Ginge seemed to be full of the joys of spring and was washing his boat out (in the middle of the race?!) with the odd capsize or two – definitely resulting in some wet knickers. He wasn’t the only one though, the gusty conditions meant that most of the dinghies were practising their capsize drills.

Stand in OD Stephen Kirkpatrick was taking things rather gingerly – was it because of the demon drink, or was it due to overstretching the odd muscle or two following some high kicks while being a Can-Can girl? We may never know! This allowed father in law Keith Thomas to venture back into a Flying 15 with William for the first time in two years. They had some close racing with Mike Moore and Ian Smith, but Mike decided to cover for all the race apart from one tack (big mistake) and William broke through but was unable to lay the mark after lee-bowing Mike and had to gybe around while Mike took the lead again. On the final beat William’s spinnaker pole had come adrift which was inhibiting tacking so went for the one tack Sampson tactic. Mike’s downfall came when his genny halyard snapped with 500 yds to go. William seized the moment to take the race and Mike limped home in second place.

The afternoon pennant race was held in blustery conditions, with all boats mooning in some form or other (even William and Keith in their F15!). The beats were hard work, but the offwind legs made up for it with some excellent planing conditions.

Weekend results

FF BLENCATHRA TROPHY 2003

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3 Pts
 1    3473  M MOORE       FF           3   1   2   3
 2    3521  P BURNELL     FF           2   2 DNS   4
 3    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF         DNS DNS   1   9
 4    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF           1 DNS DNS   9
 5    3332  W SOMERVILLE  FF          OD DNS DNS  11

                     Points for RTD =  4   3   3
                     Points for DSQ =  4   3   3
                     Points for DNS =  6

 2 races to count

GP14 MUSTARD POT (to date)

PN    Boat  Helm          1   2   3 Pts
 1   13142  R HODGKINS    5 DNS   1   6
 2   13733  A HODGKINS    6 DNS   2   8
 3   13176  D LAWSON      1 DNS DNS  13
 4   13791  P SMITH       2 DNS DNS  13
 5   13327  M FAIRLAMB    3 DNS DNS  14
 6   13326  R DAWSON      4 DNS DNS  15

        Points for RTD =  7   0   3
        Points for DSQ =  7   0   3
        Points for DNS =  7

 2 races to count

MIRROR AB SERIES (to date)

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3 Pts
 1   68852  N WOOD        MIR        DNS   1   1   2
 2   33434  S WATSON      MIR        DNS   2   2   4

                     Points for RTD =  0   3   3
                     Points for DSQ =  0   3   3
                     Points for DNS =  3

 2 races to count

HANDICAP SUNDAY SERIES 2003 (to date)

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 Pts
 1     172  J HALLIDAY    SPORT 16   DNS DNS DNS   2   3   4   2   2   2  11
 2    1049  S HUNT        RS400      DNS DNS DNS RTD   2   1   1 DNS DNS  24
 3    2324  R BLACKBURN   LARK       DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS   3 DNS   1   1  37
 4  167828  I MACPHERSON  LAS        DNS DNS DNS   1   1 DNS  OD DNS DNS  37
 5   13791  P SMITH       TOP        DNS   1   1 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  50
 6   13326  R DAWSON      TOP        DNS   3   2 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  53
 7  913142  P HODGKINS    TOP        DNS   4   3 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  55
 8  913789  A SMITH       TOP        DNS   2 RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  57
 9  913791  M COWAN       TOP        DNS   5   4 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  57
10   13142  R HODGKINS    TOP        DNS   6 RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  61
11  174889  A THOMAS      LAS        DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS   2 DNS DNS DNS  66
12     103  A NICHOLSON   VARIO      DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD DNS  70
12       2  B WOOD        TOP        DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD DNS  70
12   13733  A HODGKINS    GP         DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD DNS  70
15    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF         DNS RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  72

                     Points for RTD =  1   8   7   4   4   5   3   6   3
                     Points for DSQ =  1   8   7   4   4   5   3   6   3
                     Points for DNS = 16

 5 races to count

RNLI PENNANT

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1 Pts
 1    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF           1   1
 2    2324  R BLACKBURN   LARK         2   2
 3   33434  S WATSON      MIR          3   3
 4     172  J HALLIDAY    SPORT 16   RTD   5

                     Points for RTD =  5
                     Points for DSQ =  5
                     Points for DNS =  5

 1 races to count

Bass GPs continued to fly the flag at Bolton last weekend – 3rd Telf and Smithster, 5th Bean and Toggle, 10th Robin and Scumper.

Meanwhile, high winds at the club depleted the fleets. Weekend results:

ALBERT BATES RETIREMENT TROPHY

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1 Pts
 1    3473  M MOORE       FF           1   1
 2    3521  P BURNELL     FF           2   2
 3     172  J HALLIDAY    SPORT 16     3   3
 4     103  A NICHOLSON   VARIO      RTD   7
 4   33434  S WATSON      MIR        RTD   7
 4   12329  J WOOD        GP         RTD   7

                     Points for RTD =  7
                     Points for DSQ =  7
                     Points for DNS =  7

 1 races to count

MIRROR RED SAILS 2003 (to date)

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   68852  N WOOD        MIR          2   2   1   1   4
 2   69960  M CHAPPEL     MS           1   1   2 RTD   4
 3   33434  S WATSON      MIR          3 DNS DNS DNS  15

                     Points for RTD =  4   3   3   3
                     Points for DSQ =  4   3   3   3
                     Points for DNS =  4

 3 races to count

Another Bank Holiday!

Now that the Bank Holiday is over, the skies are clear and the sun is shining; the strong winds, and rain almost seem a distant memory. All we have to remind us is the link bridge to the pontoon is horizontal (the lake level having risen by a foot over the weekend alone), the camping field is flooded, several bruises and plenty of aching muscles.

With high winds on and off throughout the weekend, the rescue crews were kept very busy – snapped shrouds, broken rudders, masts in mud, and bruised egos. That was the pain – the gain was some excellent racing with some brilliant two and three sail reaches, and some very scary runs – Steve Hunt will warrant that – when he saw Ian Campbell (in a F15) and Hugh Godfrey flattened, he decided to join them (well that’s how he put it).

Several GPs travelled away for the Inland Championships – Telf and Smithster were the shining the torch for Bass and finished a creditable 4th – Well done.

Other club member results
10th (and 1st in Silver fleet) – Robin Dawson and Mark Somerville
11th – Bean and Toggle Cowan
36th – Richard and birthday boy Philip Hodgkins

Quotes of the weekend
I got my leg over three times in that race (Nigel Lewis’s crew) – Divorce on the cards when his wife finds out?
You were lucky I didn’t stick it up your backside (Mike Moore to Nigel Lewis) – Mike seemed so disappointed
No, I did not have a wee in the shower (Tim to son Richard) – Well who do you believe?
I’ve had a colonic irrigation on that reach from 1 to 4, and it was free! (Scott Beattie after crewing in the last race)
I hope that was more forceful than last week (Rhonwen after ensuring Mike did some turns on the start) – I promise not to mess with her

and as for the weekend series results (if anyone really cares)

FF JACK POT

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1    3673  S BEATTIE     FF           1   1   1 DNS   3
 2    3268  W CARRUTHERS  FF           2   2   3   4   7
 3    3473  M MOORE       FF           4   3   2   3   8
 4    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF           3 RTD   4   2   9
 5   93673  J SOMERVILLE  FF         DNS DNS DNS   1  13

                     Points for RTD =  5   5   5   5
                     Points for DSQ =  5   5   5   5
                     Points for DNS =  6

 3 races to count

GP LYNE TANKARD

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   13749  H GODFREY     GP           2   1   1   1   3
 2   13327  M FAIRLAMB    GP           1 RTD   3   2   6
 3   13655  N LEWIS       GP           3 DNS   2 DNS  10
 4   13259  W ROBERTS     GP         RTD DNS DNS DNS  15

                     Points for RTD =  5   3   4   3
                     Points for DSQ =  5   3   4   3
                     Points for DNS =  5

 3 races to count

MIRROR PEEL POT

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   33434  S WATSON      MIR          1   1   3   3   5
 2   68852  N WOOD        MIR        DNS RTD   1   1   6
 3   69675  T SMITH       MIR        RTD DNS   2   2   7
 4   37814  I FLETCHER    MIR        DNS   2 DNS DNS  12

                     Points for RTD =  3   4   4   4
                     Points for DSQ =  3   4   4   4
                     Points for DNS =  5

 3 races to count

With a strong contingent from the GP14 fleet taking on the challenge on the vageries of Windermere, club racing comprised a four race all fleet challenge series whereby finishing times are adjusted on a fleet handicap basis.

Sunday morning racing proved interesting for the spectators at least! Rich Hodgkins took new member David Heal out for a swim sail, but seemed to spend a lot of time demonstrating how shallow the lake is, the effect on burgees of getting a mast stuck in the mud, and how hard it is to get a capsized boat upright once the mast is in the mud! The OD took pity on the pair and shortened the race after one such capsize. Meanwhile, following a prestart capsize, the Blackburns in a lark had an early return to the club showers.

Those at the front of the fleet were not with their mishaps either. Leading laser Ian Macpherson took the leading boats the wrong way around the leeward mark. Hugh and Rhonwen were the first to realise the mistake (Rhonwen said she knew all along, but Hugh said she wasn’t forceful enough – Sorry Hugh, can’t believe that of Rhonwen!!) but, after unwinding their mistake, Hugh hardened up for the beat, forgot to use his toestraps, performed an excellent back flip, then capsized, allowing Ginge and Phil Hodgkins to take the lead with Ian Macpherson chasing.

Sailors were less enthusiastic for the final race, with only three potential starters, the start was delayed while Rich again demonstrated that it is possible to right boats even when their masts get stuck in the mud (or could it be the timing went a bit awry?). Anyway, the boats got away to a clear start, and on the first tack Rich and David went for a further swim! Ian took the lead and held Ginge off for the rest of the race which was enough to win the series.

FLEET CHALLENGE

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4 Pts
 1  167828  I MACPHERSON  LAS          4   3   3   1  11
 2   13749  H GODFREY     GP           1   1   2 DNS  15
 3    3521  P BURNELL     FF           3   2  OD DNS  19
 4   13733  A HODGKINS    GP         DNS DNS   1   2  25
 5    3473  M MOORE       FF           2   4 DNS DNS  28
 6   13142  R HODGKINS    GP         DNS DNS   4 RTD  30
 7   68852  N WOOD        MIR          5   5 DNS DNS  32
 8   37814  I FLETCHER    MIR          6   6 DNS DNS  34
 9    2324  R BLACKBURN   LARK       DNS DNS RTD DNS  39
10   33434  S WATSON      MIR          7 DNS DNS DNS  40

                     Points for RTD =  8   7   6   4
                     Points for DSQ =  8   7   6   4
                     Points for DNS = 11

 4 races to count

Word is that Telf and Smithster were set to win the Windermere open with Bean and Toggle third. But it wasn’t to be!
Telf – 2nd
Bean – 4th
Robin Dawson – 5th.

As everyone looked forward to a continuance of the barmy spring weather over the Easter break, they were in for a bit of a shock. The airs cooled on Friday, increased on Saturday, eased a little on Sunday, and brought in rain on Monday!

White horses ruled the waves on Sunday morning to such an extent that seven keen sailors would only go out in club boats (viz Toppers), the GP element enjoyed it so much that they did the same again on Sunday afternoon!

Despite Sunday’s miserable start, there was a good turnout across the fleets to compete for the weekend series.

Bridget’s Diary:
Sunday – What a breeze! All I could see was white water coming in from the direction of Siberia. But the GP lads decided to test their skills in Toppers, and William went too (in his shorts!?)- If only he’d left his camera out ‘cos when he came ashore (after being for a little swim) his legs were glowing. This didn’t stop him dragging me out screaming in the afternoon for my first sail in a Flying 15. And the screaming didn’t stop there! – I reassured him that all the words I was using were in the French dictionary. Also, I told him that I’d prefer to go on Megaphobia blindfold rather than sail with him again. Even so, it was great fun.

Final results

FF EASTERLY TROPHY

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4 Pts
 1    3673  S BEATTIE       3 DNS   1   1   2
 2    3560  I CAMPBELL      1 DNS   3   2   3
 3    3473  M MOORE         2 DNS   2   3   4
 4    3268  W CARRUTHERS    4 DNS  OD DNS   7
 5    3385  M MIDDLETON   DNS DNS   5   4   9
 6    3521  P BURNELL     DNS DNS   4   5   9
 7    1117  K JAMIESON    DNS DNS   6   6  12

          Points for RTD =  5   0   7   7
          Points for DSQ =  5   0   7   7
          Points for DNS =  8

 2 races to count

GP14 BASS TANKARD

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   13791  P SMITH       DNS DNS   1   1   2
 2   13326  R DAWSON      DNS DNS   2   2   4
 3   13327  M FAIRLAMB    DNS DNS   4   3   7
 4   13142  R HODGKINS    DNS DNS   3 RTD   9
 5   13655  N LEWIS       DNS DNS   5   4   9
 6   13013  J SEDGWICK    DNS DNS   6 DNS  15
 7   13733  A HODGKINS    DNS DNS RTD DNS  17

          Points for RTD =  0   0   8   6
          Points for DSQ =  0   0   8   6
          Points for DNS =  8

 2 races to count

MIRROR IMAGE TROPHY

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   68852  N WOOD        DNS DNS   1   2   3
 2   69675  T SMITH       DNS DNS   3   1   4
 3   69960  M CHAPPEL     DNS DNS   2   3   5

          Points for RTD =  0   0   4   4
          Points for DSQ =  0   0   4   4
          Points for DNS =  4

 2 races to count

While the GP fleet went away en masse to the Scottish Area Championships at Annandale, it left a select few at the club to compete for the Celebrity Glass Trophy. Another glorious weekend, but the lake was mirror like at times on Saturday, while on Sunday the brisk southerly was too much to tempt anyone out to race.

The final results were based on Saturday’s racing

CELEBRITY GLASS TROPHY

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2 Pts
 1   13749  H GODFREY     GP           1   1   2
 2    3473  M MOORE       FF           2   2   4
 3    2324  R BLACKBURN   LARK         3   3   6
 4    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF          OD DNS  10

                     Points for RTD =  4   4
                     Points for DSQ =  4   4
                     Points for DNS =  5

 2 races to count

Last weekend’s Calvert Trust Pennant has been calculated following a review of the personal handicaps which had gone a little astray since they were last used!

CALVERT TRUST PENNANT

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1 Pts
 1   93560  T FISHER      FF           1   1
 2    3521  P BURNELL     FF           2   2
 3   13142  R HODGKINS    GP           3   3
 4    2324  R BLACKBURN   LARK         4   4
 5   13176  D LAWSON      GP           5   5
 6  167828  I MACPHERSON  LAS          6   6
 7     172  J HALLIDAY    SPORT 16     7   7
 8    1049  S HUNT        RS400        8   8
 9   13327  MiFAIRLAMB    GP           9   9
10          M CHAPPELL    MIR        RTD  11

                     Points for RTD = 11
                     Points for DSQ = 11
                     Points for DNS = 11

 1 races to count