Most competitors agreed that this was the best NJ round to date. There was sunshine, a constant f4 wind and a superb course which made the most of it. The beat was 4-0 followed by four kite legs 0-9-1-3-4.
There was even an inadvertent sting in the tail as the port end start line pin was exactly upwind of 4 and a number of boats ended up head to wind when making for it. The favoured option was to harden up around 4 and tack back through the line at the last moment.
There were 22 starters including 9 Toppers. The 200 of Joan & Jack Hardie broke away at the start followed by the GP of Dave Lawson / Ken Bell and Jim Christie in his Supernova. Next up were the FF of Chris & Julie Rolle and the Radial of Ethan Dawson.
As the race moved into its third lap Dave & Ken pulled out all the stops with some spectacular three sail planing and, coming into the final mark, it looked as though they might snatch the lead place on the water. However, they were a couple of lengths adrift at the line.
The leading Toppers sailing two laps were having an equally close contest, Julie Dunn crossing the line just 6 seconds ahead of Harry Binns with Hazel Newport and Izzie Hunter next up.
Fleet Handicap results reflected the on-the-water positions with the exception that Dave & Ken took first place from Joan & Jack.
On PH there were three Radials and two Toppers in the first five positions. Julie Tomkinson was classified first ahead of Jennie Dunn, Neil Garrison, Ethan Dawson and Harry Binns. Who says it was an evening for crewed three sail boats?!
With white horses whipped up by the F5 Easterly wind an hour before the start it was not surprising that a good few prospective competitors selected not to launch. Only eight boats gathered in the starting area upwind of 0 to tackle the long beat to 4 and off wind legs 1 � A � 0.
There was some confusion when Code Flag 7 could not be found and the Flag Officer hoisted the AP Flag in its place (read your Racing Rules of Sailing if you don�t know the significance of this!). Several boats held back and Mike Fairlamb / Dave Lawson lost a significant amount of time.
John Reekie in the Skiff was enjoying the heavier conditions until he crashed in at the end of lap1. But he still let the fleet on righting the boat. It was good to see Phil and Emma Davenport back out together in their 400 and they were next through ahead of the GP of John Riley / Nigel Lewis.
The OD allowed the majority of boats to do three laps but shortened for Ethan Dawson�s Radial and Ian Hall�s Solo.
Results show John Riley / Nigel Lewis as race winners in both PH and FH categories. Ethan Dawson was second in the former and John Reekie in the latter.
After early morning showers 23 boats enjoyed sun and force 3/4 winds for the first day of the event
Generally the starts were clean and keen, with just one individual recall – shame that of all the boats that returned, the offending boat was not one of them!
Wind throughout the afternoon had its ups and downs, and swung from time to time leading to some one sided beats, but generally the conditions were good and challenging, enabling close racing.
Five races in, with some close racing, several capsizes, and tired sailors, and they’ll sleep well tonight!
Sunday’s weather remained dry, but with the breeze from the NE it was a little cooler. Unfortunately the wind was shifter too, but it didn’t stop progressing the final three races on time and getting them finished before lunch, after which there was a prize giving presented by the Commodore’s wife, Emma Smith.
The first bank holiday of the season started with sunshine but little prospect of wind for the inaugural Good Friday pursuit. However just 45 mins before the scheduled start a sea breeze quickly filled the lake so the racing could get underway on time (well almost as Herb declared that proceedings would be held up until the Lady Commodore was at the startline).
Sailing Sec Jon and sister Judith in a F15 got the best start of all throughout the 30 min sequence. By the time Robbie D/Banter started in their RS400 the wind strength had started to ease making their pursuit a bit harder.
Mik led the fleet in his Mirror initially but was passed by one of the Toppers from the Youth squad, and then Dave/Lynn took the lead. As the wind faded even more Dave’s lead proved to be unassailable though Robbie D closed the gap considerably to finish 2nd with Mike/Eric 3rd, and Mark/Naomi 4th. Graham/Elaine led the F15s finishing 5th
The evening entertainment comprised a wine tasting quiz, so there could be a few sore heads in the morning.
Nothing new�hereThere’s a bit of a theme going on
Another beautiful day for Easter Saturday started with a light SE breeze. However, by lunchtime, the wind had started to swing and it continued to swing to the NW by the time racing got underway.
The evening social comprised a bring and eat buffet followed by a Mr and Mrs competition in which the relatively newly weds generally fared better than others…
After another starry, cold, night Sunday has started sunny with a very light wind (nothing like the forecast).
As if by magic, the wind swung round to the forecast NE direction (so much for Simon’s prediction!) and continued to freshen. Although Shunty was over the line, because he didn’t return, and the flag remained up, Bean’s conscience got the better of him and he put his gennaker up to return back to the line (shame he hadn’t been OCS in the first place!)
With the wind freshening, and many capsizes, plus a few gear failures, the entry for the 2nd race was just the F15 and handicap fleet. However, the wind eased considerably to an extent that the spinnakers would not fill at one stage.
Winds shifts at mark 3 were the cause of many a change of position, and much frustration!
After lunch, with the less ferocious gusts having passed by, all four fleets raced again. The handicap fleet caused the first general recall of the season, together with much confusion as very few sailors seemed to know the procedure.
Towards the end of the race the winds again strengthened resulting in more capsizes, and retirements, including the whole of the Topper/Topaz fleet. One of the fallouts (so to speak) of the capsizing was the OD’s wife who took to the water with Alastair in a RS400, and had to put out a call for help in the shape of a 34F!
The early evening entertainment starts with the annual Egg Dump. Claire, that ringer from Newcastle came across especially with the intention of winning the Egg Dump, and despite being up against 6yr old Amber in the final, she attained her goal after a mere 40 odd years! This was followed by a belated St Patrick’s Day celebration with some special guests…
After windy evening, sailors were probably surprised to wake to another sunny morning with light winds. Perhaps the storm had blown through? The bank holiday forecast remained the same – strong gusts from the E. Similar to Sunday, the wind did fill in after 10am and continued to freshen. Although a few prepared their boats to launch, but changed their minds as the white horses appeared, there was a good turnout that enjoyed some spectacular reaches and often spectacular capsizes.
Ian/Lezli-Ann were spotted carefully folding their spinnaker in the clubhouse so that it was easier to rig on the boat. When launched, it so happened that the folding hadn’t helped as one of the clews was attached to the halyard…
After lunch there was little enthusiasm to risk any boat damage in the higher gusts so racing was cancelled and the campers had a leisurely end to their fantastic weekend.
Ian/Lezli-Ann (Surely they should watch where they are going!) (C) Chris Hunt
Another southerly(ish) breeze, though the air temp was more like an easterly!
Various good gusts on occasions enabled some good planing reaches in the 1st race, but there was a desire to use some of the steadier winds down the lake in the following race. The downside of going down to 15 was that the OD opted to finish ashore thereby taking the course in the shade of Sale Fell with some shifts and occasional holes…
The Hardies had the best start in the GPs first race, and they used it to their advantage holding off Dave/Lynn for over half the race, but they were a close 2nd to Dave at the finish line. Running repairs impaired Joan’s start in the 2nd race, and Dave broke away with a substantial lead.
In the F15s Simon/Jon took to the water for the first time and led the fleet, as well as generating controversy by being involved in two protests in two races, both with Mike/Kayla. Old habits/sign of things to come?
Tog took the honours in his Vareo in the 1st race, with Robbie D/Banter 2nd in a RS400, but Robbie D won the next one with Mike F 2nd in his Streaker.
Sunday started dry with sunny spells that highlighted the white tops of the waves! Various squalls passed through from time to time that helped many opt not to sail. Two F15s did choose to start but AJ only sailed the first beat before retiring which left Mike/Kayla to sail one further lap before the OD took pity in them and shortened the course
Please note that there will be House and Grounds working parties this weekend starting at 10 o�clock each day.
You don’t have to commit to being there both days but all help is appreciated and it reduces the burden on council members and various regular stalwarts.
As for the light out, AJ says �Many hands make light work�
We have been offered a Crewsaver M/L trapeze harness (drysuit has gone)
The harness has been used for a couple of winter seasons sailing on a Dart, a couple of slightly worn bits of webbing, which is from about 2008.
If anybody is interested please email us so arrangements can be made for it to be dropped off at the club, or it can be picked up from either Loweswater or Grange-in-Borrowdale (depending on where the owner is at the time)
