On the warmest October day of the year (what do you expect on 1st Oct?!), we concluded the Youth Squad season with a short series of races – 8 members turned up and, although the conditions were squally, they completed the races – with a few capsizes!
Results: Winner Ethan Dawson, 2nd Chantal Price, 3rd Tom Bainbridge, 4th Rowan Morgan
In photo – along the back: Imogen Barnfather, Tom Bainbridge, Rowan Morgan, Ethan Dawson, Chantal Price
Front: Hazel Newport, Harry Binns, Jamie Kerr
Surprisingly (or perhaps not too surprising for our micro climate) the winds, and gusts were not as strong as the forecast and so another two races were sailed in the Asymmetric Cup and MJM Trophy.
Before the first race Neil Garrison demonstrated a taste of things to come by capsizing his Dart, and after another capsize halfway through the first lap Neil retired. Mike/Kayla revelled in the heavier winds leading the rest of the fleet with Ian/Lezli-Ann trying their best to give chase, while Tim/Ian tried their best to stay upright (they almost succeeded!). All other finishers were slowed by various capsizes in the blustery conditions, but recognition again goes to Ethan Dawson for opting to sail, and finishing, a second lap after suffering several capsizes.
In the afternoon race, gusts were not so vicious quite so often, but there were still various capsizes. Ian got a brilliant starboard end start, but Mike took the lead by the end of the first beat. At the other end of the spectrum, Jim Christie had the worst start, getting into irons but staying upright helped him work his way back through the fleet finishing 4th on handicap behind the F15s. Peter Ballard got his mast in the mud for a while and finally managed to limp across the finish line due to a problem with his mainsheet.
There was just Scumper and Toggle in the Asymmetric Cup, and each had their fair share of capsizes, but Scumper mastered the conditions and took another two wins strengthening his lead in the series.
As for the heading yawwwn – I’m sure they’ll all sleep well after a hard day’s racing!
A drizzly, damp day with light winds were the order of the day for the first couple of races in the October Series which is for all classes and sailed on a personal and fleet handicap basis.
Mik Chappell got clean off the start line in the first race and sailed well to finish 3rd on fleet handicap. Although Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson were first to the windward mark, Ethan/Robin Dawson took the best line down to the next mark, took the lead, and there was no way Ethan was going to let go of it. He went on to win the race on fleet and personal handicap! Ian stayed on Ethan’s tail, and despite opening old wounds by hitting his head on the spinnaker pole in the same place s last week, finished 2nd on fleet handicap.
In the next race, the drizzle eased and the wind freshened a little. This time Ethan was to-ing and fro-ing with John/Janis Halliday, though on handicap Ethan again won both races. The F15s had numerous place changes also, with Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson taking 2nd on fleet handicap from Ian Campbell.
While the rest of the country basked in what turned out to be the hottest October day, Bassenthwaite was less fortunate – it was warm and muggy but more overcast and not a lot of wind.
Numerous sailors took advantage of some RYA coaching being held over the weekend, all being filmed and replayed at the end of the day. On Saturday Steve Hunt arrived early to figure out how to set up his new Merlin Rocket, and plenty of people took the time to watch him – especially as there was little wind which disappeared totally resulting in racing being abandoned for the day.
Sunday was damp and miserable, but a good sailing breeze and attracted a fleet of 17 boats for the three remaining races of the weekend fleet challenge series.
In the first race, Bean/Naomi in RS200 led the fleet taking 1st place. Steve/Ruth in new Merlin were 2nd on the water, but beaten by Mike/Kayla in F15. Steve/Ruth led the next two races, winning them both, as well as the series trophy. In race 2 Tom Gosden in a Laser kept to Mike/Kayla’s tail beating them on handicap. While in race 3, occasional sailor Stuart Brookes had a good tussle with Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson, both in F15s, beating Ian by just 10 secs to take 2nd place. Mike/Kayla’s finished 2nd overall with 5pts, and Tom Gosden 3rd with 6pts.
Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, Stuart Brookes took three firsts and the trophy, while Alistair Duncan, fresh from the RYA coaching, sailed a Laser, had a 2nd and 3rd, finished 2nd overall.� Mike/Kayla had 10 points to count, as did Steve/Ruth, but their 3rd position split the tie in their favour.
Saturday morning was wet and blustery, then as the rain cleared the wind dropped so that by the first race there was a force 2 westerly, but it was by no means steady.
Although the fleets are small, there is a high calibre of sailors ensuring competitive racing leading to some close overall positions, and little margin for error in the 200s, although most suffered from a bad move/gust at some point.
In the Vareos, the addition of Rory Yardley for Sunday’s racing will mean there are three sailors in the fleet from the top 10 in this year’s Nationals.
Vicki Flemming was unfortunate enough to break a fitting on the start line of the first race, and caused her to miss the 2nd race too, by which time the sun was out, and the gusts started coming through giving bursts of great planing conditions, and various capsizes. Vicki was unlucky enough to get her mast stuck in the mud, or finish neither race 3 or 4. Scumper (Mark Somerville), bodged a repair over lunch, and went on to win all 4 of Saturday’s races, while Toggle (Mike Cowan) tried to focus his mind after suffering a minor car crash on the way to the club! Both Toggle and Phil Davenport brought out new gennakers for the event.
Sunday turned out to be a glorious day with plenty of wind from the SW resulting the races being held in the southern end of lake from Scarness.
Racing was again very close in the 200s with the bulk of the fleet rounding the windward mark tightly bunched, but Chris Pickles moved up a gear in the stronger conditions winning all four of Sunday’s races, and the RS200 series trophy. Mike Saul came 2nd overall having sailed well taking two 2nds and two 3rds after close competition with Neil Barrett and Matt Bramley.
Robin/Ethan found the heavier conditions hard going but sailed very well and managed to beat Phil/Naomi Smith in the 2nd race before retiring from sailing for the day.
In the Vareos, after various problems on Saturday, Vicki successfully, and gleefully, finished the first race of the day in her first open. Scumper secured another two wins and the series trophy. With Toggle in a safe 2nd overall, and little to split Ullswater’s Andrew Cutting from Phil Davenport, the Vareos called it a day with no further racing after lunch.
All in all, a challenging weekends racing in mixed and exciting conditions for many similarly talented sailors.
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RS200 Winners |
RS Vareo Winner |
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Photos Mik Chappell |
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Photos � Roy Blackburn
Fleets are racing in a championship weekend series.
A reasonable breeze greeted boats on Saturday, and there was some close racing. In the F15s, Simon Longstaff/Jon Denwood pipped Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson at the post in the first race. Neil Platt, who lost his spinnaker halyard while renewing it, missed the first race but was ready for the next race which he won from Simon Longstaff.
In the GPs, Val/Ken Bell had two straight wins ahead of Kath Davis/Glenys Kett.
Mike Cowan and Jim Christie had some close racing and each ended up with a 1st and 2nd. Peter Ballard had two 3rds.
In the Mirrors, John Telford had two wins, but Mik Chappell and Alan Waugh each shared a 2nd and a 3rd. With no Mirrors out on Sunday, John wins with Alan 2nd.
Sunday racing was rather casual despite the ODs best efforts to get started on time. The light wind, and no wind on shore were somewhat contributory!
Congratulations to Herb Telford, our official starter, on his 80th birthday. He had an early celebration during Bass Week when he and wife Aileen were made honorary members.�Many happy returns!
After a wet week, and with high winds imminent for the weekend, this week’s Night Jar was perhaps the calm before the storm as the airs were relatively light and racing was brought to a relatively early conclusion after only 30 mins sailing. It was Joan/Jack Hardie in their RS200 that took the honours on fleet handicap, with Alan Jones/Sue Watson in a GP coming in a strong 2nd ahead of Neil Garrison in his Laser. Joan/Jack lead the FH series.
Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, swapped the lead two boats and gave Alan the lead in the PH series.
As much as we all enjoy sailing, many of us do get up to other things in our lives. Ken Bell and his dog Spot (sure there’s a joke in there somewhere) are seen here winning best sheepdog at this weekend’s Loweswater Show. Congratulations!
A wet and windy forecast for Saturday could have been the reason for a quiet turnout this weekend, and although there was been a persistent drizzle, the forecast wind/gusts were by no means a threat.
In the first race an eager Mike/Kayla were so close to the line that when called back by Tim/Ian they did! In the second race, Mike got his own back when Tim tried to sneak into a gap at the start mark which wasn’t there, and Mike was not going to create! Tim had to go back the correct side of the mark and Mike took an early lead not to be given up.
In the handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth led the fleet, and took two wins on handicap from Joan/Jack Hardie. Tom Gosden came 3rd in the first race but was beaten by Mik who came out for the second.
Sunday’s weather is totally different. What a difference sunshine makes! Lightish winds, with inevitable shifts were the order of the day.
With Saturday’s winner Steve Hunt crewless, he stood in as OD, but Joan/Jack still weren’t quite able to add another win to their scorecard, as Mik Chappell pipped them to the post, and Tom Gosden had to settle for another 3rd place. However, Joan’s 2nd was enough to give her the overall lead in the series.
The F15s had the same result as Saturday, with Mike/Kayla beating Tim/Ian – Mike leads the series.
In the GPs, Hugh Godfrey/Rachel Newstead beat Alan Jones/Sue Watson, putting Hugh 2nd in the series.
The afternoon race was the Banana Stakes pennant which took the fleet around the lake. It was to be a slow race as the wind died and even lead boat Mike/Kayla took nearly 100mins to complete the course. Hugh and Alan were only 7 secs apart after 108 mins racing! On personal handicap Alan won giving Sue another win towards Sandra’s Salver, but Kayla’s 2nd place was enough to keep her in the lead for the trophy.
