Quiet Weekend to Ourselves

Racing No Comments

After last week’s busy Push the Boat Out open day, our racing schedule was back to normal. Wet, gusty weather greeted sailors, especially the Saturday Social crowd that gathered to get more sailing experience – open to all, on Saturday mornings.

By the time racing started, the rain had passed through and the wind abated a little. In the F15s, Ian/Lezliann had some close racing with Ian/Elaine, and after trailing at the end of the first lap pulled through to win with a�strong lead. Robin/Erin looked as if they were going to do the same against Alex/Olivia, both in RS200s, but they failed to cover up the final beat�- he should know better!

Throughout the afternoon sailors had to contend with shifty conditions which had a drastic effect on positions from time to time.

Despite rain all around, the Bass micro climate remained dry on Sunday, and brightened up to a sunny afternoon!

With the wind coming over Sale Fell again, there were plenty of shifts to contend with again. The wind was stronger and gustier than Saturday, so there were more good planing conditions, combined with some gybes, there were several capsizes throughout the day. Competition was keen at the front end of both fleets. Ian/Lezliann had to fight hard, but successfully secured another two wins for a clean sweep over the weekend.

In the handicap fleet, Alex/Olivia gave Robin/Erin a run for their money for more close racing in the morning, but the honours went to Val/Ken in their GP, with Zefer 2nd in his Laser. Joe won the afternoon race, with Alex/Olivia 2nd.

The day was not without injury. Elaine failed to duck a boom, Mik was attacked by a starting pin, and Eleanor went quiet thinking she had broken her elbow!

Night Jar 4

19 May, 2017

Racing No Comments

Night Jar 4 was held in dry but slightly chilly conditions. A constant F2/3 SW breeze gave a beat to zero, a triangular course 0-A-B, and two kite legs.

John & Hazel in the Merlin broke away after the first beat and gradually increased their lead. The GP�s were next up led by Dave & Lynn with Joan & Jack and Val & Ken following. Mike & Eric had a poor first beat but, by lap 2 they were ahead of the lady helms.

Tony�s Solo was keeping station behind the Geeps but just beat AJ & Sue to the line at the end of lap 3. A big gap opened up between Eric� Solo and that of Mike Cave so the latter was shortened after two laps.

AJ & Sue were again providing food. Who would be responsible for organising a meal rota?!

Push the Boat Out

14 May, 2017

Our PTBO day went superbly. Sunshine to sit outside and admire Skiddaw and Bass lake and a reduction in wind strength to allow visitors to take to the water.

We had around 100 visitors of whom 68 were taken out on the Lake. We have some new family members already and more are expected. This makes it all worthwhile, although Team Bass hardly had time for a tea break let alone any lunch!

The photo shows the activity on the slipway and jetty with the Commodore near the centre supervising.

Saturday Sailing�

13 May, 2017

Saturday�s programme had been geared around Push The Boat Out and started with Long Series class racing followed by the Calvert Trust Pennant. Conditions were challenging for the Fifteens and marginal for the centreboard boats.

Before Race 1 had started there were three boats over. Paul brought the Radial straight back ashore and Ethan capsized the 600 on the start line. Jon�s radial went head to wind at the windward mark, but he was in good company as Ian/Lezlie Ann had a boat load of trouble attempting their rounding. These problems left Rory/Eleanor James with a good lead and first on the water in the Fifteens and allowed Peter Whipp to do likewise in the Handicap Class.

Jon and Paul called it a day but Jim & Poppy plus Val & Ken took their places for the Pennant which was wisely kept North of Scarness with a course 0-6-3.

This time it was Peter Winfindale�s Radial which was left inverted at the start and Bob brought his in. Mike Hunter later did likewise having been the first non- Fifteen early on.

Doubtless with Sandra�s Salver in mind AJ/Sue in the FF had a peach of a start and were second to Ian/Lal at the windward mark. But Ian found the opposing winds at 6 difficult to read and Rory/Eleanor were away in the lead. Val & Ken kept their kite up on the next tight reach and crashed in on a screaming plane � but they sorted things out and continued. Jim & Poppy were finding the Wanderer difficult to tack in the heavy conditions but were classified as a finisher.

Night Jar 3

13 May, 2017

Unlike last week, it was a superb evening for a race. Really warm with an unusual wind from due South. It allowed the OD to set a 9-A-1 course which included a good beat, a near run and a tight reach. The line had some starboard bias but was difficult to read. Those starting at the starboard end and rapidly going onto port for a while appeared to gain most from a wind which curved around Sale Fell.

Ian/Lezli-Ann in the FF were alternating for the lead position on the water with John Reekie/Hazel Newport in a Merlin with the FF of Tim Knowles/Martin Statter next up. Then came the Geeps of Joan/Jack, Mike/Eric and Val Ken in close company with Tony�s Solo in tow.

The wind held and allowed this first half of the fleet to do four laps but it was decided to shorten for Jim & Poppy in the Wanderer. Then came AJ/Sue in the GP ahead of Jon/Kayla in the FF. Next up on three laps were Peter�s Laser and John Roberts, this week in a radial, followed by the Solos of Richard, Mike and Eric together with Bob�s Radial.

The lead Fifteen and the Merlin had a close finish but the GP helms were even closer with Mike just failing to get water at the final mark and loosing out to Joan by just seven seconds. Val & Ken then hurriedly made their way ashore to serve the previously prepared meal.

Beyond The Boards 2

11 May, 2017

Our very own Emma Smith is in Beyond The Boards 2 which is playing at the following locations near you

They are :

Ullock Village Hall Friday 19th May 7.30pm
Thursby Hall Saturday 20th May 7.30pm
Brigham Hall June 10th 7.30pm.

Emma is looking forward to seeing you there!

RYA Push the Boat Out�

9 May, 2017

This Sunday 14 May we are supporting the RYA Push the Boat Out campaign to get more people on the water in any form.

Tell your friends and colleagues about it, and invite them down to see what we are about and even have a sail.

Everyone welcome from 10.00am onwards

GP14 Inland Championship 2017

6 May, 2017

Opens Racing No Comments

[lg_slideshow folder=”album/17sundry/gp inlands” display=”slide”]

Bassenthwaite SC is pleased to be hosting this year’s�GP14 Inland Championship. With a mixture of winds forecast, there�is certain to be�some great competition.

First race scheduled for 12 Noon resulted in a general recall so they’ve burned their boats and it’ll be the I flag (or worse) moving forward!

The first race was unit led by Mike Senior, but the shifting conditions caused him to slip back, while others had some big gains. John Hayes took the winners gun with Fergus Barnham 2nd and Dave Lawson 3rd.

Andy Smith led race 2 through to the finish but the result will be subject to protest.

The wind faded just after the start of the third race but freshened again a couple of minutes later. Val and Ken managed it well and were 3rd around the windward mark. They did slip a few places thereafter but had a great race.

Andy Smith and Fergus Barnham had some close racing, swapping places a couple of times. Andy wishes he’d stuck to the key rule of winning – always cover on the final beat!!

Stronger than expected winds from the North East for the 2nd day’s racing but they were just as shifty! Overnight leader Fergus Barnham clinched his first win of the weekend and moved a step closer to winning the championship. Dave Lawson had a great race finishing 2nd

The shifting wind proved to be a challenge for the race officer for the start of race 5, and there were a couple of postponements to reset the line. Despite this, a couple of boats�were a bit too eager at the next start. Mike Senior took his first win of the weekend, while Fergus took third and secured an unassailable lead for the championship.

After Dave Lawson’s rest having been OCS in the previous race, he was on top form in the final race and won it with a strong lead from Mike Senior. This gave Dave 2nd overall and pushed Andy Smith into 3rd, with Mike Senior 4th.

Challenging conditions for all, but great racing all the same.

Inland Champions Fergus Barnham and Andy Hunter with Commodore Robin Dawson

Night Jar 2

5 May, 2017