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Glorious Day for Sailing

Championship No Comments

Despite the lake being flat calm in the morning as the sun shone, a good F3 filled in from the West well before racing started for the latest championship weekend series. A (relatively) prompt start caught out some of the handicap fleet (Will they learn for the morning?). Either it’s a case of great minds think alike, or the stand in OD is so predictable, but Herb correctly guessed the first course.

As the afternoon progressed, the wind increased too, but without incident.

At the end of the first race, in the GPs, Alan/Sue were on the tail of Dave/Sarah and trying their hardest to get past, but at the final mark Dave broke away, and to cap it for Alan, Hugh/Rachael managed to pass him too! Hugh had another trick up his sleeve on Sunday morning when he believed there was a ‘hook finish’ and rounded the finish mark to starboard, and though ahead, Alan rounded it the same way, losing out by one position when Hugh recrossed the line from the correct direction before him. Val/Ken sailed consistently all weekend taking four 1sts and the McMillan Cup, however, they were disappointed not to be back on shore in time to catch the ice cream van before he left – perhaps they should have sailed faster!

In the F15s, Mike/Kayla took three straight wins and and Ullock Mug, leaving Ian/Lezli-Ann and Tim/Ian battling it out with some close racing at times.

Steve/Ruth sailed well to secure three 1sts and the Grisedale Cup, though a guest appearance by Bean in his RS100 on Sunday morning meant he had to wait until the last race for his third 1st. Scumper tried his hand in Peter’s Supernova, while Alastair explained what would have been had he not capsized and got ‘every rope’ caught around his centreboard delaying its retrieval, and preventing him beating Peter… Meanwhile, Banter Phil had a great sailing weekend taking two 2nds ad a 3rd, finishing 2nd overall.

Final Results

Don’t forget to move your boat this week to clear the foreshore in preparation for the NSSA Youth Regatta. Also, Saturday’s racing has been brought forward to 11.30 on Saturday, and Sunday’s racing has been cancelled.

NWJTT, NW Areas and Lakeland Laser Open

Opens No Comments

Campers woke to glorious sunshine and a mirror like lake. Flurries of wind passed through but didn’t bed in until mid morning, which is just as well because there were over 60 boats in five fleets getting ready for five scheduled races – all in all a very busy day!

By the time racing was underway thee was a good force 3-4 which strengthened over the course of the day.

With so much activity it is difficult to pick out specific tales, but over the 25 starts there was only one boat over the line! A few people capsized, some were stuck in irons for a while, and some missed out marks, but they all had some great racing.

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Laser Lakeland Travellers winner Jamie Purcell from Redesmere
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Optimist fleet winner Olivia Cuthbert from Leigh & Lowton

Final results Laser Lakeland Travellers Trophy and NWJTT

As forecast, Sunday’s winds were light and challenging. The first race was postponed until mid-day when light airs came in, and faded, from the North West, a cycle of change which was to continue throughout the day. Hopes of a sea breeze were dashed by early cloud cover, but at least the wind direction was relatively consistent throughout. Fortunately, conditions were good enough for both races to be sailed. Some close racing resulted in Nick Devereaux from Budworth winning the championship just one point below Haydn Griffiths and James Grummett. Ethan Dawson finished a creditable 10th overall out of a fleet of 33 boats.

Prizes were awarded by Commodore Andy Smith’s wife, Emma.

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Championship winner Nick Devereaux

 

 

 

Final results Topper North West Area Championship

Hot Pursuit

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Good sailing conditions tempted 11 boats to the water for the Celebrity Glass pursuit. Pam in her Mirror was the first to start, and she held her lead well until a rope caught as she tacked resulting in a capsize which she could not recover from and retired.

The chasing fleets had some close competition that continued through to the final tacks on the finish line with four boats finishing in less than 20 secs, and all boats finishing within 4 mins. There must have been several people wondering ‘if only’, as various incidents had boats doing turns (and perhaps some more that should have done them!). With one leg to go, Banter looked in a strong position to win, but Dave/Sarah sailed well to take the lead as Mike/Kayla done a penalty turn at the penultimate mark. It was to be a final tack on the finish line that Mike won from Dave, with Banter 3rd.

Latest results
– Celebrity Glass Pursuit
– BL etc

Sunday’s conditions were considerably more blustery, and fortunately it remained dry.

With the rescue crews still on holiday, Peter and AJ stepped into the breech. They were eager to help when it came to moving a mark – shame they didn’t take account of the Bates’ anchor warp in their manoeuvres (fortunately they were warned just in time!). You just can’t get the staff these days….

With only two takers in the Asymmetric Cup there was an opportunity for match racing between Toggle and Banter in their Vareos. Tog had the best start, and led through to the 2nd leg when Banter took advantage of some better gusts to storm through to the lead. With gybing proving challenging, it would be down to making the least number of mistakes. There was some close racing on the beats, and both helms suffered numerous capsizes, but it was to be the final run that was the decider. Tog was leading, and Banter opted for the opposite side of the course, but capsized whilst gybing. Herb commented that Banter should be calling it a day, but he didn’t; after righting his boat he continued racing, and Tog promptly capsized. As Tog had his mast stuck in the mud, Banter took full advantage of the situation, took the lead and won! Tog retired. Banter leads the series.

In the MJM series, there were three F15s and a GP. Phil/Hannah capsized their GP several times at the numerous gybe mark, and eventually capsized. Tim and daughter(?), didn’t seem to be far behind on the capsize stakes, broaching several times, and being flattened at least once! That left Mike/Kayla and Graham/Elaine to battle it out for the lead. Mike must have been generally comfortable with his lead as he didn’t chance flying his kite very often, until Graham started to close the gap that is! At the penultimate mark, Graham was on Mike’s tail, but Mike covered up the final beat, and won by a small margin and currently leads the series.

Latest results – Asymmetric Cup/MJM

Night Jar A10 � 27 June 13

Racing No Comments

The mist at Bothel was so thick that even the base of the turbines was obscured. Conditions on the Lake were a little clearer but it was still a murky and damp evening with a light SW wind.

A course of 9-3-1-0-A was set with the start line just upwind of A. John Reekie/Joe Watkins in the Merlin took an early lead on the water followed by the Fifteens of Graham Kirkpatrick/Kayla Sheard, Eric Guillois/Chris Brookes and Joan & Jack Hardie�s 200.

The Race Officer had a difficult decision to make at the end of the first lap. It had taken between 30 and 40 minutes to complete due to the wind moving West and its shadow slowing the fleet down at 1. But, as it was filling in, he sent all except Jonathon Anson in his Solo round for a further lap.

Positions remained largely the same except that Eric & Chris though they had finished when passing through the line in the reverse direction. They needed encouragement to round A and return but lost time in the process.

Then it was back to the Clubhouse for another superb meal prepared, this week, by Tanya Briggs. Results showed that John & Joe had won both categories with Ken & Val Bell beating Joan & Jack for second place on FH. The Bells dropped to third place on PH behind Alan Jones/Sue Watson who have now moved into second place in that Series.

Weekend Rescue

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Just a quick reminder that, if we are to have any racing this weekend, we need volunteers to provide adequate rescue cover as the rescue staff are all away. If you are available to help, please let us know.

Thanks

Riding the White Horses

Championship Racing No Comments

The weekend arrived with a forecast of showers, and strong, gusting winds. AJ needed to double check the wind conditions before choosing which boat in his fleet to sail. It didn’t take much persuasion to opt for his F15. Others in the F15 fleet saw the white horses on the far side of the lake and nervously opted to race. Although there were strong gusts passing through that covered most of the lake in white horses, the conditions remained challenging but sailable. AJ/Sue had to retire when a should plate pulled away from the hull, but without particularly damaging anything else. The remaining two boats, Ian/Lezli-Ann and Graham/Kayla, enjoyed some close racing with Graham winning the first race.

The only other fleet that ventured out was the handicap fleet, mainly comprising Vareos, and topped up with Steve in his Solo, and John in his RS400 (though he didn’t make the start) – the remaining five boats had all capsized before the start but persevered, enduring several more capsizes, and many great planes. Hugh needed to borrow some rope for a running repair to tie down his tack, and still finished. Tog had enough and retired in the second race.

Latest Results

Sunday’s forecast was for increasing winds as the day went on, but it wasn’t to be. There was a good breeze, that freshened as the day went on, but it never reached the gusting levels endured on Saturday.

With Mike away for the weekend, and having burnt out Graham on Saturday, Kayla was keen to find a man for the day, well a helm to be precise! She managed to tempt Steve to have another go in a F15, and they showed Ian/Lezli-Ann a clean pair of heels in both races.

Toggle had the best start in the handicap fleet, and led through to the end, winning on handicap. With the race finishing at the race office, Ethan had to sail the full course, but it didn’t stop him finishing 2nd on handicap, despite a capsize, several seconds ahead of Banter.

Toggle quit while he was ahead, and opted not to sail in the pennant race. Banter was destined to finish just behind Ethan again as they sailed together in an RS200. Bridget, with her mind on organising the NSSA regatta, was keen to get the racing over as soon as possible so only sent the fleet as far as 10. As it turned out, Sale Fell took its toll on the conditions, and there were various holes in the wind to frustrate the sailors. Steve/Kayla made the best of the challenge and won, with Ian/Lezli-Ann 2nd.

This race counted towards Sandra’s Salver, and with another 1st under her belt, Kayla’s efforts in finding a helm was made all the more worthwhile as she continues to lead the series.

MG Latest
RNLI Pennant
Sandra’s Salver Latest

Night Jar 9

Racing No Comments

Wind refused to fill so hoisted “N over A”. Nobody complained about that and it taught Neil’s trainees, using the Race Office as a classroom, how to abandon a race from ashore.

Another super meal from Val but no crack from Ken this week (was he off colour?!)

Last Man Standing

Racing No Comments

This weekend’s racing comprises a series of six races for the Fleet Challenge B trophy with results calculated on a personal handicap basis.

Although it was again sunny, perhaps the forecast of strong winds had put sailors off as there was only seven takers for the first race. Mike/Ian Mac in a F15 had a worse than average start, but soon pulled through to the lead. A combination of a wineglass spinnaker, and rounding a mark the wrong way, soon lost them several places which they then had to try and regain.

The course had numerous reaches, and consequently a multitude of gybes, which proved to be challenging, especially for the single handers, and there was extensive capsize practicising. An extra gybe was necessary due to the course forcing the fleet to loop the leeward mark – oops, you just can’t get the staff!

Mike F found his Streaker was difficult to tack in the gusty conditions, and as he was caught in irons all to regularly he soon retired. Paul C retired also after one too many capsizes.

On handicap, Scumper won the first race 20 secs ahead of Dave/Lynn.

The gusts continued during the 2nd race, and there were more capsizes, this time catching out Dave/Lynn. Hugh had one� capsize too many and retired.

Mike/Ian revelled in the conditions and won handsomely, beating Tog by more than 2 mins in a relatively short race, and taking overnight lead ahead of Scumper.

Sunday started overcast with a much more inviting breeze that resulted in 12 boats racing. With four races to run the OD was keen get started on time, and he did (how unusual for a Sunday morning!).

The morning courses were similar, well identical apart from the fact that one of the marks was repositioned to (hopefully) suit the F15 fleet, and although the wind freshened as the morning went on, there were no capsizes and Mike managed to miss every shift and find the, supposedly, only hole in the wind pattern (well that’s his excuse). Pam won both races, with Joe sailing well to finish 2nd in one, while Ethan took 2nd in the other.

The courses changed in the afternoon, and even got the thumbs up from Mike (not that it improved his race positions that much). In race 5, Pam and Joe took 1st and 2nd again putting Pam in a strong position for the series depending on her result in the final race in which Joe again sailed confidently. However, with Herb keen to go forth and pollinate, the last race finished at the race office. Joe led the fleet but went the wrong way through the finish line losing over 2 mins before he corrected his mistake which pushed him back to 5th instead of a deserved 1st.

Overall, Pam’s 2nd secured her the Fleet Challenge B Trophy, with Kath 2nd. Joe’s error meant he missed out on 2nd, finishing 5th overall

Final results

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