Party Time

Sunday
What was in that potion that I was drinking last night? Was I hallucinating? Was there really so many people, friends not just colleagues or acquaintances, down at the club in the middle of Winter drinking, chatting, reminiscing, looking forward to the new season. Some were even dancing – perhaps they had been drinking Claire and Stephen’s potions as well.

‘I’m coming out, I want the world to know’ were the words in Diana Ross’ song that inspired when I started writing these diaries. So with work behind me now, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate with so many. My way of thanking them for all the support and help that they are going to give me during my time as Commodore. But what did I say in that speech? Did the treasurer have to suggest that there was one person for each year of my life – that would make me 63¾ (unless I was seeing double)

Did I really see one of those cleavage’s that I have dreamt about for so many years dangling over the trifle!? Arrhhh. Maybe it was just a dream…..

Adrian

Two into One – Don’t Go!

9 January, 2005

An interesting shot of the merging of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite!

Also, thanks to Ian Campbell for these additional shots of the high water level on Saturday.

Marooned!

9 January, 2005

Thanks to Alan Nicholson for the following photos taken yesterday showing a marooned clubhouse. Certainly the highest water levels recorded by any member (even us very long-standing ones!).

If you have (had?) a boat at the club, it could be worth getting down to check it out.

Don’t Mention Bridget’s Rear (Commodore)!

5 December, 2004

At the 53rd Annual General meeting, as Bridget stepped down after two years as Commodore, Mike Chappell was elected to replace her (is that really possible?). The full list of members voted on to Council for 2005 is detailed separately

The subscriptions were raised as proposed, and it was noted that other clubs’ fees are typically 30-50% higher than ours.

The 40 % increase in NNDR is of concern and will be challenged at the appropriate time. Although we presently are granted 50% discretionary relief on NNDR, the possibility of obtaining 80% mandatory relief by becoming a Community Amateur Sports Club was aired at the meeting. It is clear that there are a lot of issues to address before firm recommendations can be submitted to the membership for approval.

Although the club is keen to use email as the cheapest form of communicating with members, it is not a requirement, and those members that prefer snail mail will continue to receive it.

The club continues to seek an 18′ committee boat to replace the stolen Bates, so if you are aware of anything suitable get in touch with Alan Nicholson or Mike Chappell.

Keith Thomas gave a vote of thanks to Bridget for all her hard work and successes over the last two years.

It’s All Over

28 November, 2004

The final race of the season got underway in light winds, Bill Smith in his RS800 took an early lead, and promptly headed for a wrong mark (as he does!), and ended up having his final capsize of the season. Heading for the wrong mark seemed to be a bit of a trait for the day, since with unused marks being removed, Michaela and Nigel mistook mark 4 for mark 3! Nigel also lost ground on the final leg when they lost a hat overboard and had to go back for it. First to finish was Rory Yardley, and followed shortly after by Alan Nicholson in an RS300. Jim Christie in a Vortex was slightly ahead of Nigel in his GP.

On handicap, it was Alan Nicholson that won the race from Nigel Lewis. However, this result did not affect the overall result for the 2004 Winter Trophy which was determined last week following Steve Hunt’s win.

Brrrr and Wet!

21 November, 2004

Another glorious, but cold, Saturday with clear skies, meant Sunday was to be bitterly cold, but some early morning cloud turned to drizzle, which left various roads, including the M6, like skating rinks due to black ice. Who would drive 120 miles in such conditions for a sail – you’re right none other than next week’s speaker at the annual dinner, Steve Hunt!

So was it worth it hold back the other two main contenders for the Winter Trophy? Surprisingly there was a reasonable breeze (in the middle of the lake at least), but the drizzle had turned to rain. It was so uninviting that Neil Currie opted out of sailing (before Judith changed her mind?). By the time racing started the rain had gone and the wind was doing most peculiar things in that it was seemingly coming from about three directions at once! The wind didn’t settle down during the race, resulting in some unexpectedly close racing, with only a couple of minutes between 1st RS400 and last GP after 50 mins of sailing. This gave another first to Malcolm Clayton, and kept him in the running for the trophy.

The wind picked up before the start of the next race, but suddenly stopped about 30 secs before the start signal. However, Steve Hunt was on the line and got well away with the course side breeze. In fact it was another 2 mins before the next boat even reached the start line! Steve continued to carry his luck and by the end of the 1st lap he had a 7 min lead. However, while Steve disappeared into the distance, William Carruthers and Lesley Braddock fought it out with Jim Christie up to the windward mark, with Malcolm still struggling to cross the line. Suddenly, within what seemed like a couple of mins, William was just rounding the mark when Malcolm seemed to be back in contention. Within 10 mins, William was 2nd and trying catch up with Steve, Jim had given up the ghost and retired, and Malcolm was still only 50 yards from the windward mark!

On the 2nd lap it seemed as if William was carrying the luck when with a good 2nd beat he reduced Steve’s lead by 2 mins. He continued to nibble away at the lead until he was within 4 mins of Steve. But the final leg opened up the gap by nearly 1 min which turned out to be crucial as when the results were calculated, Steve had won by 40 secs on corrected time.

So what does this all mean? Basically, Steve can get legless next Saturday (preferably after giving his speech) and not worry about having to venture out as he has bagged the first trophy for next years prize giving!

WINTER SERIES

PN    Boat  Helm          Class        1   2   3   4   5   6 Pts
 1    1210  S HUNT        RS 400       1   1   2   3   4   1   5
 2     937  W CARRUTHERS  RS400        3   2   1   2   2   2   7
 3   13142  M CLAYTON     GP           5   4   3   1   1 RTD   9
 4    1140  J CHRISTIE    VORTEX       6   5   7 DNS   3 RTD  19
 5   13839  H GODFREY     GP           4   3 DNS DNS DNS DNS  33
 6    1148  N CURRIE      RS400      DNS DNS   4   4 DNS DNS  34
 7    1049  M SOMERVILLE  RS400      DNS DNS   5   4 DNS DNS  35
 8   13655  N LEWIS       GP         DNS DNS   6   6 DNS DNS  38
 9     400  T KNOWLES     RS300        2 DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  41
10    3560  I CAMPBELL    FF          OD DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS  42
11     103  A NICHOLSON   VARIO      DNS DNS RTD   7 DNS DNS  42
12  913789  A SMITH       49R        DNS   6 DNS DNS DNS DNS  45

                     Points for RTD =  7   7   9   8   5   5
                     Points for DSQ =  7   7   9   8   5   5
                     Points for DNS = 13

 4 races to count

Brrrrr!

14 November, 2004

With ice in the cover, and sailing gloves that have been left in the boat with fingers frozen together, you wouldn’t think anyone would still be sailing in shorts, ah well, you’d be wrong.

After a glorious day on Saturday, Sunday started overcast and patchy wind. However, by the time racing got underway the breeze was generally strong enough for both helm and crew to sit out. Mark Somerville, having had a practice sail with Kirstie in their RS400 last weekend, was keen to get into racing mode. So keen in fact that he managed to pull his genniker halyard out of the mast! Not a problem though, by the time rescue facilities were sorted, Mark and stand in crew Robin Dawson were ready to go. It was Neil and Judith Currie that took the early lead until Steve Hunt and Ruth Critchley got their act together to power through into the lead. This left Mark and Neil to have some close racing that was going to continue into the afternoon race.

The wind did get up sufficiently for Alan Nicholson to get caught out and capsize his RS Vario. Similarly, Jim Christie in his Laser Vortex went for an unscheduled swim.

In the afternoon race Steve Hunt was not going to hang about and left the other three RS400s to battle it out, with some close racing for the first lap, until they shook off William Carruthers. Neil and Mark continued the close racing, and regularly passed each other, but it was Neil that came out ahead at the finish. With results being calculated on a personal handicap basis, Steve Hunt wonders how far ahead he has to be win – why was 1½ laps not enough to beat Malcolm Clayton on handicap? Perhaps, that’s one of the mysteries of sailing that he can ponder when he prepares his speech for the forthcoming annual dinner!

Final Championship Results for 2004

31 October, 2004

Championship No Comments

This weekend concluded the last series for inclusion on the prize list for the annual dinner. Saturday was a glorious day, but the wind was somewhat shy. It didn’t stop Leila Cook and Sue Watson in their GP notching up a couple of good positions in the October series. By Sunday morning Steve Hunt had decided he ‘would let them win it’ – it had nothing to do with the fact they couldn’t be caught did it?!

Little wind, no official starter and no rescue crews left OD Nick Smith with quite a task on his hands. But he wasn’t to be beaten. He managed to get the two races in, and cook lunch (well a posh noodle), and do some of the results as well! No excitement ion the races really, William and Emily Carruthers may have been first onto the water, but they were last to cross the start line when Nick decided he wasn’t going to wait for them to get to the line. Bill Smith in his RS800, was several minutes late for the start as well, and then missed a mark out (but went back some time later).

None of these antics were going to prevent Leila and Sue from securing the series, so they’ll have to hunt out those posh frocks again for the prize giving dinner.

Flying 15 Travellers

Congratulations to Keith Jamieson and Maf Smith on winning the Red Arrow Trophy for classic flying 15 travellers.

Winter Draws Nearer

24 October, 2004