Happy sailing in 2024
Happy New Year!
Sad News
It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Joe Hardon earlier today.
Joe was a member for many years sailing in GPs and F15s. He was on council and spent many Wednesday afternoons mowing the grounds.
Our thoughts are with his wife Lilian, and their family at this sad time.
Joe�s funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Wigton on January 16th at 12.30pm followed by the Crematorium at 13.40pm, and afterwards at Wigton Rugby Club
Winter Series Concludes
Despite there being no white frost, several competitors still had to clear ice that had accumulated in their boat covers. Although Banter had submitted to the conditions and was wearing long trousers, both his crew Oscar, and Neil�s crew Archie, turned up in shorts!
There was a good Southerly breeze throughout the day for the two RS200s and two Radials to enjoy competitive racing, with some good planing reaches. The rescue crew had no capsizes to deal with, so were lucky not to be frozen solid by the end of the day�s racing!
Banter/Oscar led the first race, with Neil/Archie 2nd, Neil G 3rd, and Paul 4th. Neil/Archie had gear problems before the final race and headed ashore, but the finishing order was the same for other boats.
Banter won both races, and took overall lead from Neil/Archie to win the series, with Neil G 3rd and Paul 4th overall (as the day�s first race!)
Winter Series
A damp and drizzly morning greeted our usual suspects. But there was wind and plenty of enthusiasm amongst the sailors�. This was despite the OD, Alan’s attempts to dissuade the takers ????.
The rain eased, and the wind was a steady 2 occasional 3. In the first race, there were lots of position changes in the RS200s with Banter/Oscar, and Neil/Archie enjoying some close racing. The first race was won by Neil/Archie, then Banter/Oscar, next home was Tim/Barbara in the F15 followed by Paul in his Laser radial.
The second race the wind eased, and whilst the RS200 were having a ‘Banter’ pre start the race got under way. All be it with some late starting in the RS200 fleet. The positions were reversed from the first race with Banter/Oscar coming home first followed by Tim/Barbara then Neil/Archie. However Paul sailed a great race, and it looks like it could be quite tight once the handicap is worked out.
Latest results (when available)
Winter Blues
Snow on Skiddaw is always a wonderful sight, but not necessarily an excuse to be sailing! Despite it being cold and quite windy, the Campbells, the MacGregors, and Neil rigged up. Neil G thought better of it before launch after bringing in the Bates� Wisely!
Neil/Archie went out and had some fun playing with the kite. James/Jenny went out too, but then Jenny realised it was too cold for her hands. They kindly offered to start then go in, but Neil wasn’t going to sail round and keep everyone out in the cold, so it was agreed to call it a day.
Thanks to Mike and Jack for their efforts setting the course only to find there was no takers!
Winter rolls in
On Saturday evening the annual bonfire celebrations were held together with a great display of fireworks.
Sunday started with several eager sailors but mirror like conditions on the lake. With the wind typically filling in by 1130hrs it wasn�t looking promising that there would be any racing, but just five minutes later a light breeze appeared from the forecast WSW direction. There was a half hour delay to have an early lunch after which there was a lovely breeze across the full bay.
The wind eased slightly after the first race, but held to get the 2nd race of the Winter Series in. No major position changes throughout either race which were both led by Neil/Archie in their RS200, followed by Tim/Barbara in a F15, then Neil in his Laser.
While Banter was OD, Oscar tried his hand in a Laser Radial for the first time, and did well to keep between the Solos in the first race despite his toestraps coming adrift.
Latest results (when available)
End of Summer Time
The end of October brings the Autumn Saturday and Sunday series to an end, as well as the end of British Summer Time resulting in the clocks going back an hour on Saturday night.
Unusually there was a SE breeze on Saturday that had a chill to it, but sufficient to have sailors sitting out. Fortunately there was only a couple of capsizes during which the helms would have appreciated the benefits of wearing drysuits! Hannah and Zara again followed the morning training session by taking part in the first race in Teras, though that proved enough for one day, mainly due to the lower air temperature.
AJ/Sue seemed to be sporting a new bridle – did it make the difference to pull through from behind to beat James/Jenny in both races? On the water, Neil/Archie in their RS200 led both races, but they were unable to significantly pull away from Alex in his Laser in the second race.
On handicap, AJ/Sue took two wins and the series trophy, with James/Jenny 2nd and Alex 3rd.
Despite a wet forecast, Sunday remained dry for the final two races in the Auumn Sunday series. The wind was from the SSE, and had a damp bite to it. There were occasional opportunities for planing, but no capsizes, though by the end of the final race the wind was easing.
With a mix of classes in the fleet of seven boats there was very few place changes. On handicap, in the first race it was Neil G in a Laser that took the honours, followed by Neil/Archie in their RS200 and Mike/Jack in a Graduate. Neil/Archie won the final race and the series, with Mike/Jack 2nd, and AJ/Sue 3rd overall.
Calm after the storm
With the high winds due to storm Babet having subsided, sailing conditions were pleasant for the fleet of eight boats, though the NW breeze had a bite to it, tempered slightly by occasional sunny spells, there was no rain.
Thomas/Henry tried their hand at racing the F15 but foiled when a spinnaker sheet miraculously wrapped itself around the rudder, so they retired. Neil/Archie in a RS200 led the fleet in both races, with James/Jenny in a GP 2nd, but it was the second race that they built a good lead. AJ/Sue had mixed fortunes but pulled back on James by the end of each race.
On handicap, in the first race the GPs took 1st and 2nd, with Neil G in a Laser 3rd, but Neil/Archie won the next race, followed by the GPs
Sunday’s racing was delayed 45 minutes waiting for the wind to fill in. When it did some drizzle came with it!
Neil/Archie led the fleet again with AJ/Sue following on, though in the next race AJ was first to cross the start line (albeit five seconds after the signal), led to the windward mark, then with all the excitement their gybing skills failed them allowing Neil to catch up…
The race was shortened due to the fading wind as a result of which the large time difference between Neil and AJ was exaggerated as the mirror like conditions returned.
On corrected time, Neil/Archie had two 1sts to take the overall lead in the Sunday series. Similarly, AJ/Sue had two 2nds and are second overall.
Annual Prize Giving
It�s time to celebrate another successful year at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and to award our worthy prize winners at our annual dinner dance.
This years event is at Armathwaite Hall Hotel, Bassenthwaite, CA12 4RE on Saturday 11th November 2023, starting at 7.00pm with food served from 7.30pm.
Dig out your posh attire and reserve your seat by booking through Webcollect by Saturday 28th October.
It�s �35 (�17.50 for under 16�s) and includes a delicious 3 course meal with disco entertainment. Please add any seating preferences to your booking.
Below is the food menu for the evening, please make your selections on Webcollect.
Any queries, please contact Kirstie.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
MENU
Starter:
Parsnip and apple velout�, warm bread roll, smoked salted butter. (gf). (v).
Pressed ham, mustard and caper terrine, piccalilli, toasted sourdough.
King prawn and crayfish cocktail, cognac marie rose sauce, red apple. (gf*)
Main course:
Pan roast guinea fowl, celeriac puree, dauphinoise potato, heritage carrots, red wine jus.
Sticky Asian sea bass, spring onion, chilli, fresh lime and coriander served with jasmine rice. (gf).
Butternut squash bake with wild rice. (v) (gf).
To finish:
Sticky toffee pudding, caramel sauce, vanilla custard. (gf*).
White chocolate and ginger cheesecake.
Selection of cheese, water biscuits, chutney and grapes.
Selection of mixed ice cream.
Birthday Greetings
Though we obviously can�t reveal a lady�s age, we are delighted to congratulate long time member Isobel Currie on her very special centenarian birthday!