We are hosting this prestigious event on Saturday and Sunday of the August weekend. It was great to have a total of 35 entries.

With a forecast of next to no wind on Sunday, the OD forewarned sailors that he would try to get four races in on Saturday. A slight delay before the first race, but it got underway in a nice breeze and promptly faded for 5 mins! As ever, the cream rise to the top with Steve Goacher taking the lead and winning the first race.

All were a bit too eager for the second race so there was a general recall. After a second general recall, the black flag came into force, and everyone behaved well getting the race underway in strengthening, but still shifting, winds. Another win for Goacher.

However he didn’t have all his own way in race 3, being 10th to windward mark, working through to 5th off wind, and clinching water,and 1st position at the leeward mark before the final leg of the shortened course.

Goacher took the lead in the fourth race from the windward mark and continued to pull away. With potentially one final race on Sunday Goacher had already won the championship.

As for everyone else, there was mixed fortunes with many ups and downs, various bumps and near misses, several threats of protests, and many weary sailors after a challenging days sailing.

They were all ready for the Waples wine tasting together with a slither of cheese, and it turned out to be a boisterous, fun evening.

Sunday was a beautiful day with a poor wind forecast. After a postponement, despite major wind swings the OD was able to get a final race underway. The wind continued to swing, and eased from time to time, but it was another race for Goacher to demonstrate his ability to work through to the front of the fleet and secure his fifth win of the championship – a clean sweep!

Final results
Waples wine results

With the darker nights creeping in, a reminder that the Night Jar start times have moved forward to 7pm. This isn’t so that AJ can finish earlier and prepare the evening meal as, this week, Neil will be cooking a curry to warm you all up.

Following high winds and a prolonged squall in Strangford Lough, where the GP14 Worlds are being held this week, a major incident was declared when approx 50 boats capsized and the rescue facilities were inundated.

We are pleased to advise that all Bass members who are taking part in the event are safe and well.

To keep abreast of happenings and results for Bass week check out the dedicated site

Please try and make yourselves available from about 6.30pm on Tuesday evening to help put the final preparations in place for Bass Week which starts next weekend.

There are many different tasks to be undertaken, and all help will be fully appreciated.

Well, stormy Saturday was the forecast, lightning, torrential rain. What did we get? Overcast, with bright spells and a few showers passing through, oh and no wind! Well the wind did fill in about 3.30, just after most of the select group of sailors that did turn up (not being put off by the forecast) decided they wouldn’t wait for wind any longer (or were they just in the mood for an ice cream?)

Sunday’s forecast meant the day should remain dry and sunny, though the wind could be a challenge unless a sea breeze pops in to save the weekend series!

The day started overcast with just flurries of breeze across part of the lake, and it looked like a tall order to get four races of the weekend series in. The OD found the shifting wind direction challenging. During the start sequence of the first race the wind swung through 90 deg resulting in some reaching starts. The Mirrors/Toppers were so disorientated that all bar one had to return after starting. The second and third races suffered from some large shifts as well.

By the final race of the day, the skies had cleared and a sea breeze steadied and enhanced the wind for the best sail of the day.

The shifty winds helped spread the positions in some fleets (the top four F15s each had 5pts after the first two races), and with no discards there was little room for mistakes. Mike/Kayla were disqualified after an incident with a Topper which went to protest, dropping them to 4th overall behind winners Neil/Rory, and Graham/Elaine 2nd

Dave/Lynn had a clean sweep with four 1sts on the GPs, with John/Nigel 2nd. Mike F opted to go Streaking this weekend and ran off with 1st overall, well ahead of Banter and Tog. In the Mirrors Mik was back on form winning 3 races, and Pam the 4th and final race. They finished 1st and 2nd overall respectively

Final results

With Bass Week just two weeks away, final preparations are being organised.

Would all members who are not partaking in any of Bass Week please arrange to take their boats home, or move them to the bottom of the middle field for storage. This will create space for participating visitors to park their boats for the duration of the Regatta.

Your attention is drawn to Club byelaw 8 – Boats on Site. If your name is not on the entry list by Tuesday 29 July, it will be assumed that you will not be participating in Bass Week.