A forecast of high winds and strong gusts seemed to be dampened down by rain sufficiently to enable the racing programme to proceed as planned.

The first race was a pursuit in the Celebrity Glass Trophy series. Despite the wind easing, there were some good gusts to create planing conditions. Mark Ninnim tried his hand in a GP with Andy Smith, but throwing his weight around the boat during tacks proved not to be a successful technique! Emma Williams went out in her Laser, but a capsize early up the first beat brought her race to an early conclusion. Alex and Olivia had problems with their 29er mast, taking them out of the race too! Although Steve Hunt in his Solo held off the GPs for a while, Dave and Lynn broke through to the lead and strengthened it to the end of the race. Scumper was 2nd, and Steve Hunt 3rd.

During a short break between races, Tim Chittenden took the opportunity to find a crew so that he could dump his Laser in favour of a boat with more ballast for the conditions (a keel, not Sally!). Alex was also able to use the time to borrow Robbie D’s Skiff for the following race. Also, Neil Garrison rigged his Dart to give new member Julian Asker, who has a Dart, some direct competition.

There were again some strong gusts passing through – Scumper capsized a couple of times, on one occasion being dragged along by his boat. Toggle did get through, but a later capsize enabled Scumper to get back through. Alex seemed to be practising his capsize technique in the Skiff. Alan Jones managed to lasso the leeward mark then got his tiller extension caught through the mooring chains (but he didn’t capsize!).� Neil Garrison finished first on the water, but it was Steve Hunt in his Solo that won, with Robbie D/Ethan in an RS200 2nd.

Alastair and Claire Duncan tried their best in a GP, but despite tacking round at a gybe mark, none wrong move and they too capsized!. Dave and Lynn again showed the way in the GPs with Mark/Andy 2nd and Mike Fairlamb 3rd.

In the F15s, some mistiming by Mike/Kayla gave Tim/Sally a head start, but although it took a couple of laps to get it right, Mike did break through to win the race.

Will the high winds forecast for today be accurate?!

After a wet few days, the turnout was lower than usual.

Dave and Lynn Lawson led the fleet on the water, to take another 1st on fleet handicap with Phil Davenport, who sailed a good race, finishing 2nd. Dave and Lynn are currently leading the series, while Neil and Judith Currie are 2nd.

Alan Jones took another 1st on a personal handicap basis with Dave/Lynn 2nd – Alan still leads the personal handicap series with Nigel Lewis 2nd

Another good turnout of 15 boats for the Thursday evening race. Neil/Judith Currie led the fleet in their RS400, followed by Joan/Jack Hardie in an RS200, but it was Dave/Lynn Lawson in a GP that won on fleet handicap, having gained a large lead from the rest of the GPs.

Alan Jones continues to make good use of his personal handicap, securing another win in the version of the personal handicap series, and a strong lead overall. Nigel Lewis did not finish the race, but holds on to his 2nd position.

A drizzly start to the day cleared before the sailors started to rig their boats, but then came back during racing! William and Lesley in an RS400 led the handicap fleet and made use of the occasional gusts to get a clear lead sufficient to win the race from Joan and Jack Hardie in their RS200 by 1.5 mins on corrected time. The next couple of results were much closer with Toggle in a Vareo being just 10 secs behind, followed by Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson in a F15 20 secs later. Phil Davenport practised his capsize technique at a windward mark – anything to get a mention?

Dave and Lynn again led the way in the GPs from Mike/Eric with Alan Nicholson/Sue Watson 3rd.

The afternoon pennant race went as far around the lake as the insitu marks would allow! With wind from the SW, Sale Fell had its inimitable effect on the winds south of Scarness. Tim/Ian led the fleet round the course, but on handicap, it was Dave/Lynn that won, followed by Mike/Eric

These results counted towards Sandra’s Salver for lady crews. Although Lynn Lawson took first position, Sue Watson’s 2nd, together with her results in the first qualifying race was sufficient for her to head the leader board.

The temperature has dropped, the wind still has a dangerous kick to it, and to top it there are showers passing through!

It didn’t stop 11 boats taking to the water though. Some sailors had a bit more use of it than they would like due to capsizes such as Alan Jones who was taken unawares by a gust when on a dead run – next thing he knew he was trying to right his boat. When he got ashore he needed to give his sail a wash having dipped it in the lake mud! Toggle had a day of being the bridesmaid, coming 2nd to Jo Watkins in his Laser Radial who secured a strong lead of a minute in the 1st race, and 2nd to Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson in a F15 by only 3 secs in the 2nd race. Jo’s results gives him a 5 point lead over Peter Ballard.

Results in the GP fleet were consistent with Dave/Lynn Lawson winning both races from Tim Knowles/Martin Statter and Mike Fairlamb/Eric Smith, and strengthening his lead in the series from Mike.

Alistair Duncan had a fortunate escape when he realised that the banging noises were strands of a shroud snapping! He was able to get ashore before the complete shroud gave way which would have probably led to a broken mast.

The forecast suggests it could be more of the same tomorrow…

Fortunately the forecast was incorrect, and racing did take place with a good turnout of 16 boats which takes the total number of entrants in the series up to 25.

Dave and Lynn Lawson took a strong lead on fleet handicap from Mik Chappell, while Alan Jones won on personal handicap from Nigel Lewis, with Mik 3rd. Alan is leading the personal handicap series.

Val and Ken Bell lead the fleet handicap series from Tim Knowles and Martin Statter

A slightly quieter evening on the lake. Joan and Jack Hardie in an RS200 won on fleet handicap with a strong lead from Val and Ken Bell in a GP. Joan and Jack’s lead was sufficient for them to win the race on a personal handicap basis as well, albeit on a reduced margin from Nigel Lewis in his GP.