Flying Fifteen Team Racing 17th & 18th October 2015
A fleet of 18 Flying Fifteen Sailors are taking part in the annual team racing for the Viking trophy. To minimise the risk of protests, one Bass team comprised Mike Moore, Simon Longstaff and Neil Currie – perhaps they will gang up against another team?!
The forecast force 3-4 did not materialise, and the wind that was available, a bitter north easterly, came through in waves changing every few minutes. Some of the lulls were frustratingly light but, as ever, the cream comes to the top, with Steve Goacher taking the first race.
Steve took the lead in the second race too, but that master of light airs Hardisty broke through to win the second race.
With a particularly slow finish a third race seemed unlikely but the wind filled in yet again. A short race was held but a reaching finish, a freshening wind, and a closely bunched fleet led to challenging recording of the finish positions. Hopefully amicable agreement will be reached over a beer or two this evening.
Another two races were scheduled for Sunday, and those that turned up early would verify that conditions looked promising. However, as soon as some disappeared into the changing room the wind did the same! Various zephyrs spread across the lake, and the direction kept changing, but the wind never filled in so by noon the racing was abandoned for the day meaning that Saturday’s results were the final outcome. As for the Grotty Potty, it went to someone who’s need was greater than most, as they had to come ashore for relief (and went aground at the same time), so the lucky recipients were Gary and Alan.
| FF Team Racing Team Scores | |||||
| 1 | Jamies Dodgers | 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 |
| 2 | You need a good Rod in it | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 3 | Bassturds | 5 | 7 | 10 | 22 |
| 4 | Only time will tell | 3 | 12 | 16 | 31 |
| 5 | Tims Team | 9 | 13 | 14 | 36 |
| 6 | The Leopards | 15 | 17 | 18 | 50 |
Club racing was held alongside the team racing. Mik was towed out to the start, watched the fleet set off and asked when he was starting!�The first race was plagued by one of the�lulls. Although Banter had a good lead, Joan/Jack were close enough to beat him by 17 secs. With the wind unexpectedly filling in, and the OD starting second race straight after the F15s, some were caught out and only just made it on time. Not the case for Banter who was a minute late for the start. He did pull through to the lead, but finished 5th on handicap (would have been 4th had he not been caught out by the OD’s eagerness to get racing underway – apologies!). Joan took another win, and�a commanding lead in the series
Help required�
We need some help on rescue this weekend 17/18 October. If you are available to help please contact Mike Hunter.
Thanks
Still in a high
With the high pressure continuing to dominate the weather, racing was cancelled again due to a lack of wind.
As with last week, Sunday morning welcomed sailors with an unexpected light southerly which freshened slightly as the day went on. A simple triangular course in the morning for a fleet of 13 boats suited Banter in his RS100, enabling him to put in some consistent 12 min laps and build up a 4 min lead (on handicap) on Dave/Lynn who held Joan/Jack at bay. Dave Darling suffered problems taking down his spinnaker at the end of each lap and then retired.
Although the wind swung to SSW over lunch casting a shadow on the course area, it backed to the south again in time for racing, and behaved itself till the end. An inverted P course proved to be more enjoyable, and a little more challenging.�Hazel only sailed the afternoon race, but retired due to being ‘starving’ having missed her lunch. Val/Ken exited the race early as well after, but not due to, a flat tack. This time the course and conditions�suited Dave/Lynn as they won ahead of Neil in his Laser, with Joan 3rd.
On personal handicap, Banter and Peter Winfindale each had a win.
Annual Prizegiving Prizes
The Annual Prizegiving takes place on Saturday 28th November which may seem some time away but will soon be upon us. To assist in preparation for the event can all members who have club prizes please ensure they are returned to the Committee Room, engraved and polished before Saturday 31st October. This will allow a full audit of prizes and their condition to take place before the Prizegiving.
Thank you
Jon Denwood
October High
A brilliant finish to September and start of October is all due to a high pressure system, and a consequential lack of wind, which was not even strong enough to turn the nearby turbines, or blow away the mist which had been lingering all morning, so the likelihood of sailing was low. A small puff of wind caused ripples across the lake briefly, but they soon faded, and racing was abandoned for the day shortly afterwards.
Sunday’s forecast was not a lot better, but it may have suited team Bass (comprising Commodore, rear commodore, bar chair, lady commodore, social secretary, youth squad co-ordinator and assistant, past social secretary) who are all took part in the Cumbrian Run!
On arrival at the club, sailors were pleasantly surprised by a light, southerly breeze, albeit somewhat cooler than recent days. Ten boats �sailed what was to be the first race in the October series. Banter in his RS100 led the fleet, and was lucky to take the wind around the course with him because shortly after the start of the first race wind from�the SW enabled Sale Fell to cast a shadow on part of the course, but as he approached the shadow it was pushed away by the slightly stronger southerly. It was to be the GPs, led by Mike/Eric, that took all three pole positions, with Banter 4th on fleet handicap. Dave Lawson’s lower than usual position was due to offering some coaching to Pete Winfindale.
Though the wind strength varied throughout the day, it held for the afternoon race, but�there were some major shifts to contend with which, of course, could prove to be beneficial if on the right side of the shift. Despite their best efforts, Joan/Jack were unable to stay ahead of Mike/Eric who went on to win the race on fleet handicap and take a 3 pt�lead in the series. Joan leads the personal handicap series, with Banter 2nd.
Power Outage
North West Electricity have advised us of some scheduled maintenance work this Saturday 3rd October between 10am and 2pm. Consequently access through the gate will not be possible until some kind person does a manual override.
So if you’re not privy as to how to open the gate manually please be patient, someone will turn up eventually!
Youth Squad invade Ullswater�
Several members of the Youth Squad took the opportunity to attend the RYA Youth North Zone Championships over the weekend, as it was being held so close to home at Ullswater Yacht Club.
Hazel Newport, David Rodgers & Poppy Gannon were sailing in the Topper fleet, Harry Binns & Izzie Hunter in the RS Feva Fleet, Josh Hunter and Sam Macey in the Regatta Fleet.
Although, the weather was amazing for the weekend’s camping, it was a sad note for the sailing. On Saturday the squad waited all day but the winds never came, so at 4.30pm it was declared no racing was going to take place.
Sunday started to look the same but the organisers were more hopeful and sent the fleets out at 10am only to abandon racing at 11am and bring them all back in. Then the winds came and while most sailors were enjoying a relaxing lunch, note David, the racing was set to start and everyone was quickly back on the water.
The wind held while the fleets managed to sail 3 races but it was not very strong and proved to be very challenging for some.
However, a good weekend was had both on and off the water. Hazel Newport sailed really well in the Topper Zone fleet, finishing 3rd girl and 7th overall in the Topper fleet out of 29 competitors. She was really pleased as last year she came 23 out of 28!! Also, Josh Hunter managed to bring home a medal by finishing 3rd in the Regatta Fleet in his RS Tera.
Well done all.
Championships are finalised
After the final championship weekend series of the series, the championship tables have been updated and can be viewed on the following link
Congratulations to this year’s champions are
Flying 15s – Neil Currie�&�Rory Yardley
Fast Handicap – Robin Dawson�&�Phil Davenport (Pipping Commodore Mark Somerville at the post!)
GP14s – Dave�&�Lynn Lawson
Slow Handicap – Jim, Poppy & James Christie
Championship weekend series
For various reasons there weren’t many takers for the latest weekend series, but those that did turn out were keen to take to the water once there was the hint of sufficient breeze to blow away the mirror like conditions. So when a light northerly filled in the OD took to the water and the sailors followed.
The wind swung a couple of times while waiting for the fleet to get to the start line, so a simplified triangular course was set, which seemed to be the most manageable option for the conditions.
Fortunately the general wind direction remained from the north, but the strength was much more variable. Joan/Jack took the leeward mark a little bit too close and had to do a turn losing significant ground on Dave/Lynn who went on to win.
John Roberts managed to lasso the staff on mark A, so after untangling himself he too had to do a turn. Jim C led and won the slow handicap fleet, with Mik 2nd.
In the fast handicap fleet, Robbie D/Banter won with Alex/Olivia 2nd
Before all had finished the wind dropped to drifting conditions and all hopes of another race faded.
It was unlikely that Sunday’s conditions would enable four races to be sailed, but it did look promising as the day started with a warm, light southerly.
With a plan to get two races in before lunch, the courses were plain and short, even though Robbie D wanted longer legs (an eternal wish for him some might say!)
The wind did ease as the second race went on, and finally died over lunch. Scumper and Hugh each had a first in the fast handicap, while Jim C and Barbara each had a first in the slow handicap fleet, and Dave/Lynn took two more firsts in the GP fleet.
With no obvious sign of the wind filling in, afternoon racing was abandoned. As is the norm, the wind did fill in, though not really strong enough to race in.
Trophies go to Dave/Lynn in the GPs, Robbie D in the fast handicap, and Jim C the slow handicap fleet.
Other sailing events over the weekend had good representation from Bass members with Andy and Rob Smith finishing 2nd at the GP Northern Championships at Derwent Reservoir, while Hazel Newport came 7th at the RYA Zone Championship, and Josh Hunter came 3rd overall in the regatta for Toppers, Teras and Oppies at Ullswater. Meanwhile Mike Moore and Kayla Sheard came fourth of 17 at the Burton open meeting. The results meant that they were tied on points for the Waples Wine Northern travellers series but came second on countback.