After another drizzly start, the day brightened and the breeze picked up somewhat before racing got underway such that Roy, and Toggle, went for early swims (or so I thought – apparently Toggle was undertaking some running repairs). The blustery conditions continued after the start to the extent that William took the cautious route (having beaten the fleet to the windward mark!) and took Elaine ashore. Roy and Kirstie retired soon afterwards. There were a couple of near misses at the windward mark as Hugh and Rhonwen started to realise that F15s will not bear away as readily as GPs (especially when they’re healing over!) but William and Shunty, though distracted by the incidents (and Rhonwen screaming tack), escaped unscathed.

Though in the lead, Shunty and Ruth put in an enthusiastic gybe and went for a brief swim dropping him back to 3rd on handicap. 1st place honours went to Dave Lawson, with Sam Hall 2nd

The afternoon race was for a pennant in aid of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, and in the usual tradition the course took the fleet around the lake. After the blustery breeze in the morning, racing was a lot more tame. William had mistimed the start by a mere 3 mins but realised just in time to not throw the race away because anything can happen in a round the laker (and it usually does!). The NW breeze allowed the fleet to run/reach (in the occasional gusts) all the way down to 12. Shunty had broken away but was becalmed for a while and the bank of boats crept ever closer. He tried to call rank on William and Elaine as they reached past his transom with that uncommon sailing term ‘Do you know who I am?’. No worries though because William gybed into the lake and found a hole of his very own allowing Shunty and Mike Moore to break away. Although it took the fleet 50 mins to get down the lake, all classes were so close together at 12 it was as if they had only recently started. With Shunty and Mike heading back up the lake on the eastern shore, William initially opted to stay left. Unfortunately every time he tried to cross over the winds were against him so he just HAD to continue up the A66, getting lifted all the way. In the meantime, Shunty and Mike again wallowed in a calm patch while William held the breeze. By 7, William was ahead of Shunty, but the breeze had filled in for Shunty so it became a race to the finish. To Shunty’s dismay wife Elaine was to beat him (again!) after the 30 min beat back. William reckoned that the only thing that could have topped beating Steve would have been doing the same to Neil Currie! On fleet handicap basis, it was to be Dave Lawson in his GP that won overall.

The first day of September started somewhat drizzly, especially for those on the training course being run by Nigel Lewis. Not sure what has happened this week, but many seem to have opted for go faster haircuts (Ginge, Jonathan, Shunty, William) – when you see the results it’s clear they don’t work! As for attire someone was out of step – William sailed in polo shirt and shorts while everyone else was in steamers/drysuits, and even woolly hats!

It was not as windy as the forecast had predicted (unusual for the beginners as it usually blows!). The wind did come through in waves and it depended where you were as to the benefit, or otherwise, obtained. William and Jonathan had managed to break away with one of the gusts in the first race, but 1� laps later the wind conspired against them to close the substantial lead that they’d secured, and Shunty, with Ruth, broke through to the the lead. Then when the gennaker jammed it was Neil’s turn to take another place! In the second race, there was place changes due to mishaps. Andy and Emma hit a mark (as did Scumper and Toggle) which slowed them down for a while; Shunty tried gybing off but went backwards; also, he had problems when the kite halyard jammed causing him to lose a place. Mark Rimmer should have been on capsize drill the number of times he tipped it in. An incident in the first race led to a protest between Scumper and Shunty, but the protest committee couldn’t determine what had happened so the results stood. Mustn’t forget to mention Roy, with Kirstie, who’s back in his capsizing way. Elaine had a practice comeback to sailing in a brief session(?) with William to help blow away a few cobwebs (well apart from the one that seemed to be lingering afterwards in the bar) – depending on Sunday’s weather she may be back for more! As for Shunty’s comment, Jane said we’d only find out when he does something naughty!? Apparently Bridget didn’t sail because she was under the doctor… On handicap, it was Andy and Emma that secured wins in each race

In the GPs Dave and Lynn Lawson sailed consistently with two wins from Hugh and Rhonwen, as did Toddy who took both races from Mik

More pics to embarrass…

Due to a busy weekend camping the the mass of helicopters observing our activities over the lake were obliged to use nearby Armathwaite Hall – apologies for the inconvenience! This morning the long weekend seemed to be taking its toll with many people yawning their way to the changing rooms. Andy S came out (not literally, but from the changing rooms, somewhat overdressed I may add) in a dry suit which, it was suggested by his friends(?), was more fitting for his heydays in the GP.

As for the sailing, the winds were better than Sunday but still a little inconsistent in terms of wind strength. The occasional holes and twin wind directions meant sailors had their work cut out to maintain, or in several cases, regain positions and resulted in the handicap and GP series being decided on the last race.

Quite a weekend – Southport boats capsize on purpose to experiment going turtle (somewhat difficult in our northern end) and was the salt out of their fittings. Bass boats capsize (no reason [or name] given), collide and cause some damage. Emma showed Sally the way around the course in her first ever race helming a topper (screaming continued to be the order of the day). Comments let slip about men wearing knickers. Barbeque lovers were not put off by the odd shower, or naked chef (or was that just a myth?). Also, there was the couple spotted leaving Derwent Lodge sometime after breakfast (in separate cars!). Silence started to rein in the webmaster’s presence (I wonder why?!)

With over 40 boats (+Southport visitors) racing, overall it proved to be an excellent weekend and the overcast weather encountered on Saturday seems to be just a distant memory…..