After a reluctance to appear (surely not stage fright?!) baby Lily Alice Smith was born early on 2 November – a sister to Katia and second daughter for Andy and Emma.
All doing fine
Is that Andy’s hairline she’s sporting?! 🙂 Sure she’ll grow out of it
A wet and windy forecast but some hardy sailors still turned up, though they were surprised to find any wind at all as Bass seemed to be enjoying its own micro climate compared to nearby villages where there was rain but no wind.
After some umming and arrhhing, three helms decided to sail – Jim Christie, Peter Ballard and Neil Garrison. Then as the wind increased, Neil Garrison changed his mind. While watching the boats get ready the wind quickly eased and Neil opted to sail. Although he was on the water by the 3 minute signal, it took him over ten mins to cross the start line between the race office and zero! The wind eased, and swung, and by the third and final leg back to zero boats were beating. The November series is sailed on a fleet and personal handicap basis, but the distances between each boat meant the results were the same as the finishing order.
After a short lunch break, the terrible trio were eager for more. Again within minutes of launching the weather started to change as the wind started to fill in from the West.
As there was a shore based start, the boats started on a broad reach with a gybe at the first mark, at which point Jim and Peter each capsized! They righted and continued but as they reached the leeward mark the gusty conditions caught all three boats out and they capsized. OD Toggle was all for abandoning racing, but opted to allow the race to be shortened at the end of the first lap – Jim and Peter made it to the finish. Toggle did double check with the rescue boat whether Neil had retired although it was a little obvious by the fact that he was being towed, had taken his main down, and in the process of dropping his jib!
The handicap results matched the finishing order, so Jim leads with two firsts.
Following a recent approach, the Sailing Club Council have proudly agreed that in future years, one of the pennant races sailed each season will be used as an opportunity to raise funds on behalf of the Eric Twiname Memorial Trust. Many members may recall Eric, son of founder member Alec Twiname, was once a member of the sailing club and is arguably our most famous member in sailing circles. As a highly successful sailor, Eric went on to write classic texts such as ‘Start to Win’ and ‘The Rules Book’ which is now in its 9th version. The trust was created in 1980 following Eric’s tragic death with the goal to continue his legacy to the sailing community.
Start to Win has just been updated and republished (with a foreword by Ben Ainslie, CBE) and can be purchase on-line directly from the publishers, Adlard Coles or other on-line retailers, such as Amazon.
Further information regarding the trust and about Eric himself can be found by visiting the trust website at www.erictwinametrust.org or by viewing our web page.
The end of the October coincides with the end of the championship season. The weather forecast brought things to an early conclusion due to force nine gales on Saturday. John Crosbie launched his laser, enjoyed some spectacular planes, intermingled with capsizes, but racing was abandoned for the day.
Saturday night marked the end of British Summer Time so the recommendation was to make the most of the extra hour in bed due to the clocks going back, especially as Sunday’s forecast is for MORE for the same!
However, the wind was not as strong as forecast, and sailing did take place, but the gusts were vicious enough to stress boats to the limit.��In the first race, the final round of the Handicap Fleet�s Skiddaw Trophy, both the Supernova of Peter Ballard and the Jim Christie�s Laser suffered rigging damage leaving Scumper to take an easy victory in his Laser.
The afternoon race was the Bassenthwaite Burgee, the final pennant race of the season.��It was supposed to be sailed around the Lake but the race officer wisely decided to restrict it to the marginally more sheltered northern area.��John Crosbie belatedly decided to compete and took the victory from Mike Turner/Sue Watson.��This result won Sue the Sandra�s Salver award as best lady crew in the seven pennant races held during the season by just a single point from Elaine Hunt.
Saturday’s forecast was not great for wind, if the webcam had been working you would have noticed that the forecast was correct!! The lake was mirror like most of the afternoon. Racing was postponed until 1030hrs on Sunday. It was due to be a lot more overcast, but there with a reasonable breeze.
Sunday’s earlier than usual start enabled the F15 fleet to get their first race in before club racing started at 1130hrs. As forecast, the day was overcast but there was a SW breeze. Although the OD assures us there was a beat in the first race, using the same beat for the second race failed miserably!
The lack of a beat for club racing kept the fleets together (handicap wise) and it depended where you were, at what stage, as to whether you were in a position to take advantage of the various gusts that came through, and strengthened as the race went on.
After two races, and despite mixed fortunes, Mike Moore and Sally were in the lead in the FF open at the lunch break during which drizzle moved in. Would that kill the wind? Well, effectively it did! The afternoon racing� was held in light airs, with a quite a mix of the leading lights such that only 4 points split the top half of the fleet. It was Andy and Rob Smith that came out on top, beating Mike Moore by a point. Andy’s team mate for the series was Ian and Pat Priestly from Ullswater, who by securing third overall ensured that they won the team racing part of the event.
Robbie D and Big E secured a good lead in both races added two wins to his collection in the series. His closest rival is son Ethan with 34 pts
Overall winners – Andy and Rob Smith
Overall winning Team
Andy and Rob Smith with Ian and Pat Priestly
Club founder member Richard Atkinson has died at the age of 88. Until about 10 years ago he was a regular sailor in a F15 with Judge Leech. Richard was one of the clubs more successful sailors having become GP14 National champion in 1957, just five years after the Club was formed
Last weekend saw the final championship weekend series of the season. Gales had been forecast but did not materialise and there was good sailing weather on both days.
On Saturday in the handicap fleet, Robbie D and Big E in their RS400 got off to a good start with one first and one second place. Scumper held second spot overnight in his RS400 before changing to a Laser for the Sunday racing! Alan Nicholson was just one point behind in his Solo after winning the second race.
Sunday�s morning race saw another win for Robbie Dawson with Joan & Jack Hardie second in their RS200 and Scumper third. The wind was gustier for the final race and this suited different competitors. Two helms from Dean took the lead positions with Sam Hall in his Laser leading home the F15 of Tim Chittenden with Ian Macpherson crewing. Winners of the series and the Comet Trophy were Robbie D with Scumper second and Tim Chittenden third.
The GP14 class sailing for the Stables Prize was won by Mike Turner and Sue Watson� from Dave and Lynn Lawson. Although both helms had two wins each and equal points overall the Trophy went to the winners of the last race. An identical situation applied to third place with Kath Davis/Glenys Kett leading home Tim Knowles/Martin Statter.
The Mirror�s Single Handed Trophy went to Mik Chappell. Alan Waugh finished second overall in his pristine boat now fully repaired after scrapes earlier in the season. His win in the final race narrowly secured the place from Nick Orton despite the latter posting two second places during the series.
Sam Hall travelled to West Lancs S C on Saturday for the final event in the North West Junior Travellers Series. Due to the gale force conditions the event was cancelled. However, Sam had already gained enough points to win the Travellers Series.He collected his trophy, for the second year running, plus other prizes.
A bit of wind (well a lot!) topped up with rain was enough to put off all helms other than Jim Christie on Saturday. However, stand in OD Robbie D made an early call to cancel racing for the day.
Sunday has started with a glorious morning, and the wind started to fill in, with the hope that it would continue to do so up to the forecast 10mph
The wind did fill in a little more, but unexpectedly it came from the NW, so the start line was adjusted and the course set. However, as the race went on the wind swung more to the south resulting in more of a fetch expecially for the asymmetric fleet which were sailing a windward leeward course! Rory Yardley in his Vareo took best advantage of the conditions to win the morning race from Jack and Joan Hardie in their RS200 by a couple of secs/lap. Mike Moore and Ian Macpherson in a F15 beat Tim Knowles and Martin Statter in a GP by a good margin to win the MJM morning race.
The only tales to tell were during the afternoon race. First of all Roy Blackburn’s had a slight problem with his new acquisition of a Vareo when the main sail came down. Secondly, Alan Nicholson had a prolonged capsize after getting his mast in the mud. Results were again close in the afternoon but this time Robbie D and Big E in an RS400 beat Rory in his Vareo and won the Asymmetric Cup. Mike Moore again beat Tim Knowles but by just 4 secs/lap and secured the MJM Trophy.
The big question is whether the Times and Star story about Ken and Val winning the Tinker Trophy will stick – should we now know them as the Tinker Bells?!
At The GP Inlands at Derwent Reservoir Dave and Lynn Lawson finished 12th, with Rich and Phil Hodgkins finishing 13th
Saturday’s forecast light westerly breeze came in on cue, together with some afternoon sunshine resulting in� a pleasant afternoon’s sailing. The gusts that came through were patchy and Robbie D and Big E kept being caught up by William and Ruth, but it was the GPs that benefited from the conditions and Val and Ken Bell continued their form from last weekend to take two firsts in the Tinker Trophy (not that there was a Tinker in sight as they, of course, were here last weekend!). The results were close though, as there was just 8 secs separating 5 boats in the first race.
The was supposed to be similar today, but it freshened from time to time. This time Robbie D broke away and won with over one minute lead per lap from Val. Her 2nd place was enough to ensure no-one could beat her overall in the 4th and final race of the series.
The wind was similar for the final race and Robbie D again mastered the conditions to win by a min/lap but this time it was from Scumper in his Laser, with Val 3rd. Overall a good turnout of 22 boats over the course of the weekend series. Hopefully this won’t change and put Val off her dancing this week!!