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We want reaches

Despite the air temperature plummeting over recent days there was a handful of boats keen to race in the WNW F2 breeze. Neil was keen to have reaches, so that wish was taken on board, with one beat and five reaches. Stand in OD Nick was ticking off each spinnaker leg as the wind veered , and dark rain cloud moved in towards the end of the first lap.

The beat was last as the wind swung, and the wind eased as the rain passed through, before backing to the W in time for the 2nd race.

Between races, James asked for fewer gybe marks to appease his crew!

The wind faded by the next race, which seemed it might just last a single leg, but the wind came in from the NE, albeit for just a few minutes, but long enough for the race to continue on to complete a full lap, though it was to be a drift to the finish�

On the water, the first race was won by Neil/Archie in their 200, followed by Val/Ken and James/Jenny in their GPs.

The slow finish in the next race will likely result in on the water positions being the same on corrected time with Neil/Archie finishing 1st, then AJ/Sue in a GP, and Tim/Barbara in a F15

Latest results (when available)

Sunday was flat calm (just the way Mike/Jack like it!) and bright sunshine, but the forecast W breeze came in and racing was underway by noon. Again the wind veered to the NW for a while but swung back again. The occasional gust enabled planing conditions to top off a good day�s racing.

Neil/Archie led the first race until the leeward mark which they rounded the wrong way, but despite losing several places, they pulled back to finish behind Mike/Jack on the water, with Thomas/grandad Keith in a F15 third.

In the next race, no mishaps so Neil/Archie led throughout followed by Mike then Thomas.

Latest results (when available)

Sultry Saturday

Well not exactly sultry, but still very mild! The recent rain has found its way into the lake, which has risen significantly through the week. Ensure your boat is safe in case of significant rises in the lake level over the next few days.

Though overcast, the rain held off all afternoon and there was a good F3-4 for the select group of sailors to enjoy some good planing conditions. The downside being that most boats had a capsize, and Neil/Archie continued there streak of retiring due to gear failure, this time due to the kicker block giving up the ghost!

Neil in the RS200 had been leading the first race before retiring, but Alex in his Laser was close on his tail. Paul in a Radial lassoed the leeward mark with his mainsheet before capsizing to get free.

Sisters Hannah and Zara continued their learning curve, and were loosely guided by Neil G to get them around the course successfully, but one race was sufficient, especially after a brief capsize.

That left just Alex and Paul competing in the 2nd race. Though Alex led, he did capsize on one gust, enabling Paul to remain in striking distance for the rest of the race.

Latest results (when available)

Sunday was brighter, still mild, with little breeze but numerous sailors keen to race.

A small triangular course was set to keep racing manageable, but the wind continued to strengthen, reducing average lap times to less than 8 minutes, enabling the fleet to sail the full course of five laps! Also, the wind veered so it was necessary to relocate the start for the next race.

Unfortunately the wind opted to fight itself for a while leaving the sailors somewhat in the lurch, so the race was shortened after one lap. Of course, the wind then started to settle in from the forecast southerly direction with the best wind of day (although it only lasted about an hour). Hey ho!

Latest results (when available)

Autumn beds in

After recent rain, and stormy weather, the temperature has dipped again, and cloud moved in for a damp afternoon’s sailing to start the Saturday Autumn series.

The wind enabled sailors to enjoy some exciting planing early in the first race which was led by Scumper/Matty in a RS400, followed by James/Jenny in a GP, and Mike/Jack in a Graduate. The wind eased slightly, but not the rain, as the afternoon went on so Scumper called it a day after the first race.

Julie in a F15 led the next race with Mike/Jack 2nd on the water, and James/Jenny 3rd.

Sunday was drier, milder, and nowhere near as gusty as forecast.

With the stand in OD sleeping in, it was down to the official starter to manage proceedings from a fixed line start between the Bates and 0 for the fleet of four boats.

The start for the first race was very orderly, and processional with no passing – Neil/Archie led in their RS200, followed by AJ/Sue.

For the next race Neil and AJ both opted to fly their kites on the start line. AJ was very close to being OCS but tucked back just in time. The lead order remained the same but, having been trailing, Paul came back to beat Neil on the line by 1 sec. Barbara was the only person to capsize, albeit after she had finished!

Latest results (to follow)

Final Weekend Series

The final championship weekend series of the season had a delayed start due to a lack of OD. The wind had filled in since the morning, and kept blowing a better than forecast F2-3 which freshened slightly as the afternoon went on.

There were just 9 boats over two fleets, led by Chris/Jack in RS200, but it was Mike/Jack in a Graduate that won both races. The GPs were led and won by AJ/Sue following an impressive flying start, with Nigel/Glynis 2nd.

Soon after the start of the 2nd race Neil/Archie in their RS200 lost their jib halyard bringing their race to an early conclusion.

No capsizes, or hairy planing conditions, but a pleasant afternoon�s racing.

Sunday morning�s wind was lighter than originally forecast and there were three contenders eager to sail, so that�s what they did! The conditions were mixed, with some lulls, and some good reaches, but the big gusts never appeared.

There was some close racing between the RS200s of Chris/Evie and Neil/Archie in both races with Chris generally mastering the beats while Neil gained off wind. However in the last race Neil broke away with a prolonged plane to prevent Chris having a clean sweep in the series.

AJ/Sue’s single win on Saturday was sufficient to win them the GP Stables Prize.

The handicap Comet Trophy was won by Chris/Jack&Evie, with Neil/Archie 2nd, and Mike/Jack 3rd

Final results

Lake Levels

Some may have realised the webcam is not up to date (possibly due to a power cut)

You may wish to check if your boat is shown on the pictures and if you need to remove it before the next high tide or storm.

If you don�t intend sailing anymore this season, as it is autumn, the best way to avoid storm or flood damage is move your boat, preferably home, as soon as Keswick campsite has a flood warning because the club floods 24 hours later.

Great North Asymmetric Challenge 2023

Oops – click for photo gallery

This year’s GNAC attracted over 60 boats from as far as afield as East Lothian in Scotland and Llandegfedd in South Wales. There was a promising forecast F4 wind gusting F6, though as it was from the ENE it restricted the windward/leeward course length slightly.

There were two fleets, all racing on handicap, and the start lines were busy to say the least. Though there was a couple of single recalls on the first two races, the black flag was introduced for the slow handicap fleet after a general recall in races 3 and 4!

The faster boats had the advantage of clear airs for the first lap of each race, though the general recalls made that second beat somewhat busy. The forecast gusts came in and created some exciting planing conditions, and the frequency of the gusts increased throughout the afternoon, resulting in numerous capsizes, even by birthday boy Dave Exley!

When the finish times were adjusted on handicap, despite wrapping his main sheet around the spreader mark, Bass sailing secretary, John Reekie/Andy Tunicliffe came out on top with two 1sts and a 2nd, with Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman 2nd, Mark Somerville/Joe Roberts 3rd, and leading visitor Hamish Gledhill/Ross Southwell from West Riding/Leigh and Lowton SC 4th

Sunday’s forecast was lighter, but from the SE, so the OD enthusiastically set the course up through the Scarness narrows which proved fortuitous as the direction held for all races. However, the varying wind strength made it difficult to manage the overall race length, so the length of the beat shrank as the day went on!

The racing remained competitive throughout though there were some mixed fortunes depending on the wind strength.

Overall Andy Couch/Mart Couch from Blithfeild SC in a VX One had some consistent 2nds and 3rds to beat Pix/Matt in a RS400 by just two points, with John/Andy in a 59er third.

Final results RS400s RS200s

RS400 winners Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman

RS Feva winners Ben Greenhalgh/Tom Sinfield from Port Dinorwic SC

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