Wall to wall sunshine, and a stronger than expected NW wind, made for good sailing conditions on Saturday. As last week, the wind was regularly swinging to keep helms on their toes. Frustratingly, just as the start sequence got underway, the wind dropped, but fortunately, returned before the start.

There were 11 boats over two fleets. Dave/Lynn won both races in the GPs, with Val/Ken 2nd. In the Handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth in a Merlin led the fleet from Hugh in a Vareo, and Tog/Joanie in a RS200 in both races, but, on handicap, Hugh won both races by about 30 secs, with Steve 2nd in the first race, and Tony in a Solo 2nd in the next race despite having to return for being OCS at the start.

Latest MG series results

Sunday was blessed with more sunshine but the wind forecast was not good. Although the turbines at Bothel were not moving at all, the lake had ripples to the north and south of the bay with a large calm patch in between! Several sailors were getting itchy feet hanging around, so despite AJ’s wish to have an early lunch, racing did get underway belatedly when the NW breeze filled in a bit. With the risk of a sea breeze filling in, and the wind backing more to the SW, a course was set with two potential beats (3-2, and 4-B). The wind filled in as the race went on, and there were some big shifts to contend with. AJ the first lap AJ was had a good 2nd, but it all went to pot thereafter and he slipped back to 4th. Dave/Lynn too the honours, with Joan/Jack 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, Phil/Oliver took 1st place in a RS200 from Mike in his Streaker.

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The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy pennant race. Fearing the wind may do its worst beyond Scarness, the fleet were just sent as far as 10 and then back up. As it turned out, they had a good spinnaker leg down, and a fetch back up, with little in the way of painful down draughts to contend with. The GPs were the strongest fleet taking the first three places, led by Dave/Lyn then Val/Ken in the best winds of the weekend.

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results

Sandra’s Salver latest results

Saturday started off with some sail training for the juniors before racing got underway for the Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy, a handicap series for all fleets, and the start of the three day Catapult Open for which there are eight entrants. The northerly wind was bitterly cold, and a lot lighter than forecast, with a hint of rain.

In the first race the the wind eased as the fleets started the second lap, so the OD raced up the course to stop the race, but it was another half hour before all boats finished. Scumper/Zefer in their replacement RS400 were first to finish, and won on Handicap with Commodore Naomi in a Mirror taking 2nd place, cheered on by son Oliver in the Committee boat.

The wind filled in again and held for the next race. Scumper led the fleet again, but with Steve/Ruth in a Merlin on his tail, they were close enough to win on handicap, with Dave/Lynn in a GP 2nd. Though Scumper and Dave both had 5 points, the tie was broken in Scumper’s favour as he had won the first race.

Final results Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy

Racing was postponed for a short while on Sunday morning due to several calm patches across the lake. The wind filled in enough to start proceedings by 12.30. The wind continually varied in strength, and swung, throughout the day. There were opportunities to plane on some reaches occasionally, but they were the exception, and had to be enjoyed/taken advantage whenever possible.

The varied conditions did mix some positions up, as did five handicap boats being OCS in the 2nd race, of which only three returned. A challenging days racing, with the final two races tomorrow, resulted in the following overnight leaders – Simon/Jon in the F15s, Dave/Lynn in GPs, Robin/Erin in Handicap, Andy in Slow Handicap

The evening’s entertainment started with a pie and pea supper followed by a race night.

Monday’s forecast was not at all encouraging in terms of there being sufficient wind to sail, a light wind across the lake was enough to get the fleets on the water and racing underway. The Catapult fleet were first on the water, and rather than make them wait for club boats, a course was set and their race started. By the time club racing started the wind had swung as it strengthened a little, but didn’t swing back until the final lap, so they had to put up with fetches instead of beats for a while.

Despite having to return for being over the line at the Slow Handicap start, Bean/Oliver quickly caught up lost ground to take the lead and win the race from brother Andy/Lily.

During the lunch break there was a prize giving for the Catapult Open which was won by Gareth Ede, with John Terry 2nd. Gareth’s father Stuart won on personal handicap basis.

The final club race was a bit of a formality in that winners of each fleet had already been determined after four races. However, it didn’t stop the Smith brotherly rivalry in the Slow Handicap fleet, as they endured some close racing, including trying to luff each other way off course. Andy took the lead at the final mark to reinforce his lead in the series.

In the GPs, AJ tried his hardest to squeeze Mike/Eric the wrong side of the Bates at the start, only to sail himself between the Bates and the inner distance mark, snagging on and snapping its mooring warp! Needless to say, by the time he had corrected his error, Mike was well up the beat!

Tog had a flying start in the Handicap fleet as he tacked onto port and sail up the right hand side of the course only for the wind to strengthen on the left hand side, favouring the rest of the fleet! Emma’s tiller extension broke away with half a lap to go, but she persevered to finish.

The final winners were as overnight, Simon/Jon won the F15 Jak Pot, Dave/Lynn the GP Lyne Tankard, Robin/Erin the May Holiday Trophy, and Andy/Lily the Peel Pot.

Final� JP results

The long bank holiday break started on Friday and focussed on getting plenty of kids on the water on both Friday and Saturday, especially as there was plenty of sunshine with light winds.

Despite mixed winds earlier in the day, the wind settled to the NW just in time for Saturday’s racing for the fleet of 26 boats. Keith Thomas seized the opportunity to sail when Sally offered her services; shame he didn’t quite get the spinnaker rigged properly before the first race!

Halfway through the second race the wind started to veer to the north, and then it faded for half an hour before filling in from the west, and consequently the handicap results were put into disarray somewhat.

Mike/Kayla won both races from Ian/Lezliann in the F15s, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn had two 1sts from Joan/Jack and AJ/Sue� who each had a 2nd and a 3rd. Bean/Oliver won the first slow handicap race with Paul Allen 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, the Solos of John Reekie and Stan Barton led the first race, while Alex/Caroline in a RS400 won with Mik in a Mirror 2nd.

Latest MG Series results

In the evening there was an outdoor bring and eat in the back field followed by a game of rounders!

Easter Sunday started with and Easter egg hunt for the kids, and the weather delivered more sunshine and stronger winds from the west for the start of the weekend series of which three races would be sailed. Shortly after the start of the morning race the wind veered a little towards the north, causing the beat to be very one sided, and one of the tight reaches into a fetch which made it very difficult to pass other boats.

In the strong fleet of seven F15s Simon/Jon took the lead and held on to it ahead of Scumper/Zefer. Dave/Lynn took another win with Joan/Jack 2nd. Rich Critchley won the Handicap race in a Solo, with Steve/Ruth 2nd. In the Slow Handicap fleet, more junior sailors were encouraged to race increasing the fleet to nine boats with Optimists, extra Mirrors, a Tera and a Topper, but it was Rob/Elizabeth Cook that took the honours.

After lunch the wind was reinforced a little with a sea breeze for the final two, somewhat eventful, races of the day.

• Simon/Jon were premature starters
• Jonathan/Henry christened their RS200 with a capsize
• Mike/Kayla had to do turns for Banter
• Dave/Lynn gave the GP fleet a head start (but still went on to win!)
• Emma got her course muddled and sailed with the Slow Handicap (in a Streaker)
• Paul/Jude were sailed into the shadows of Sale Fell by some F15s
• Mik raced without the aid of a kicking strap

Overnight leaders are Simon in the F15s, Dave in the GPs, Hugh in the Handicap, and Rob in the Slow Handicap

Monday was forecast to have the best sailing wind of the weekend, and on arrival there was a good southerly blowing which had various crews digging out their dry suits for a potential sail down the lake.

The OD opted to play it safe for the morning race and set a beat to 8. Soon after the start sequence commenced the wind was easing, so it was a slow first beat for everyone, but it did fill in again only to ease again after the F15s started the next lap. The split wind gave Scumper/Zefer a chance to go the opposite side of the beat to leaders Simon/Jon, and they took the lead when the wind caught them first.

As far as the F15s were concerned, there was everything to sail for in the final race which is partially why there was a port/starboard incident on the start line causing both Simon and Scumper to be doing turns! Simon ended up doing another set of turns for colliding with Ian. By the windward mark Mike/Kayla were in the lead, but Simon was ahead of Scumper, and stayed there to the end to win the series on count back.

The Slow Handicap fleet sailed a a smaller course that was shortened just before the other fleets rounded zero, though some of the other boats thought it was their finish too!

The afternoon winds held, and there were some good reaches to be enjoyed. A great way to finish the long weekend.

Some consistent sailing in the other fleets had wins in both races for Hugh in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPs, and Andy/Lily in the Slow Handicap, and they all won their series trophies.

Final Easter Series results

Don’t forget that Thursday evening Night Jar series starts this week at 19:15 on 25th April. Catering will be available as usual. If you’re able to cater one evening please contact Alan Jones.

Sun and a cool northerly breeze kept a fleet of 16 boats sailing for the first two races in the Barf Trophy and Spring Cup long series.

At the front of the fleet, Alex/Caroline in an RS400 and Steve/Ruth in a Merlin, had some close racing, while Ian/LezliAnn in a F15 were able to keep in the mix on handicap. Some of the beats proved to be a bit shifty and fluky to keep helms on their toes, but no one has yet claimed the first capsize of the season!

Steve won both races on handicap, with Ian 2nd in the first race and Alex 2nd in the second race, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn won both races with Mike/Eric taking 2nd place.

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Sunday was overcast but with a stronger NE breeze, a direction which results in the shoreline near Armathwaite Hall creating light shifty airs. Fortunately there were no major positions lost to such challenging conditions, though treasure Mike Cave did claim the badge for the first capsize of the season. AJ/Sue got off to a flying start and were first to the windward mark, but it was not to last as Dave/Lynn pulled through to the lead taking the first win in the Mustard Pot with AJ 2nd. In the Handicap fleet, Stan in his Solo earned his first win of the season head of Robin/Erin in an RS200 in the Dodd Trophy.

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The afternoon race was in aid of the Eric Twiname Trust, and typically sailed around the lake. With mark 11 hastily laid over the lunch break, at least the race would take the fleet around most of the lake. An incident just after the start resulted in three boats forming a raft; Neil Garrison accepted fault and did a 720. Dave/Lynn in their GP took an early lead but were passed by the Merlin and F15 on the next beat. The NE breeze looked promising for the next leg, a long reach from 3 to 11, and Steve/Ruth in the Merlin started to pull out a good lead as they sailed out of the Armathwaite shore shadow, however, as they approached the narrows, the wind quickly dropped with what turned out to be an opposing southerly wind. The conditions proved flukey and challenging for more than half an hour until the fleet reached the southerly breeze. With a risk of the return route being equally challenging, the race was shortened at mark 11. Although Steve had broken free from the rest of the fleet again, the bunching around Scarness Bay had done him no favours, and it was Dave that won on handicap, with Joe 2nd and Steve 4th. Lynn takes the lead in Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew in the pennant races

Eric Twiname Trust Pennant results
Sandra’s Salver latest