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North West Junior Travellers Trophy 2023

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There was a fleet of 51 boats for this year’s NW Junior Travellers Trophy. The forecast was for a base F3 wind gusting F5, but it didn’t put off any of the young sailors.

Racing got underway at 12 noon, just after a squall arrived, but didn’t cause many capsizes. With the wind coming from the SSW the downwind leg of the trapezoidal course was occasionally in the shadow of Sale Fell, and unexpectedly light. As some gusts came through there were various capsizes, and some spectacular planing. The race was won by Max Rawlinson/Eddie Johnson in a Feva, with Mya Fance/Seren Green, also in a Feva, 2nd.

The course was slightly narrower in the next race, and it helped keep the boats in the wind. Again, there was some windy conditions just before the start, and the squalls passing through kept the rescue crews occupied. Max/Eddie took another win with Oliver Hirst in a ILCA6 2nd.

After a short break ashore, the wind freshened yet again during the start sequence!. Shortly after the second start, a widespread squall soon flattened a quarter of the fleet, so the was abandoned and sailors headed ashore.

With no major damage, and the wind settling, another attempt at starting the third race was made. However, there proved to be two winds, with the gusting wind taking precedence, so several start sequences were stopped, as the OD amended the course waiting for the wind to settle. Sailors had clean starts for all three races, and there were more capsizes, and some great planing conditions at times. With the wind freshening again, the race was shortened, and sailors headed ashore for the evening, with the temptation of a visiting fish and chip van, although due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn’t able to attend!

Sunday’s forecast was for stronger baseline winds from the west but with bigger gusts. Having checked the wind before the start, the OD deemed conditions suitable. About a third of the fleet were less optimistic and opted not to race, but those that sailed had more good racing, great planing conditions, and some shifty, capsize inducing gusts!

Max Rawlinson/Eddie Johnson continued their mastery of the conditions, winning all five races, and the event overall. Similarly, Oliver Hirst had two more 2nds, finishing 2nd overall. George Jacobs in a Byte was 3rd.

Best Bass helm was Cameron Somerville in a Laser 4.7 finishing 10th overall. Brother Matthew and Henry Bullen, in an RS200, may have beaten him had they not spent so much time swimming!

Final results

 

Unsettled Sunday

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Sunday’s forecast of F2 gusting F3 from the SW was somewhat elusive when sailors arrived, keen to race. Unexpectedly the wind filled in from the NE, only to fade again. When the SW breeze appeared racing got underway, but the shifting winds caused flat spots at both gybe marks despite holding for the main beat!

Paul in his Laser won on handicap, with Neil, out in his Solo for the first time this season, 2nd.

In the GPs, Val/Ken pipped AJ/Sue on the line, while in the slow handicap fleet, on handicap, Lucy in an Optimist beat brother Oliver in his Tera.

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During the lunch break the wind faded, and racing was eventually cancelled.

Laser, Solo and Tera Open 2023

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On Saturday there was a one day open for Lasers, Solos, and Teras with an entry of 25 boats over the three fleets. Warm weather had returned with a forecast of light F2 winds gusting F3 generally from the SSE.

Racing got underway on time at 11am with just one Laser, Richard Benson from Tynemouth, being OCS, and having to return. Greg Liggins from Derwent Reservoir generally led the Lasers, but there was some close competition at times, especially as the wind veered to the SW enabling Sale Fell to cast a shadow on the second beat in the course, resulting in drifting conditions at the top of the leg. When the fleets escaped the wind shadow, the wind had freshened and veered more to the west. Being close on Greg’s transom at the final leeward mark, Andy Thomas used the wind shift to his advantage by freeing off for speed, and taking the win.

The start line was relocated for the 2nd race, but the fresh winds at the end of the 1st race had eased, and continued to swirl, so there was an earlier than planned lunch break during which the wind seemed to settle back from the west.

A windward/leeward course was set for the 2nd race, and again the only helm too eager with his port on port start, and caught OCS, was Richard Benson but he failed to return. The wind strength varied but the direction was steady until the final beat when the wind veered more to the NNW, and another wind shadow enveloped the windward mark.

The start line was moved for the final race, but, frustratingly, the wind backed soon after racing was underway, so the race was shortended after three laps.

In the Lasers, Greg won the final two races to win overall, with Andy 2nd. Local Alex Reed had led most of the final race, but finishing 2nd to Greg pulled him up the ranks to 3rd overall.

In the Solos, there were different winners for each race with only two points separating the first four boats. Andy Carter from Leigh & Lowton winning overall, with John Reekie from Bass 2nd, and Rory Yardley 3rd.

In the Teras, Andrew Reekie had three straight wins, Oscar Davenport three 2nds, and Oliver Smith three 3rds, finishing in that order overall.

Laser Winner Greg Liggins from Derwent Reservoir
Solo Winner Andy Carter from Leigh & Lowton
Tera Winner Andrew Reekie from Bassenthwaite

Final results

Bass to the rescue!

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While waiting for enthusiastic sailors to appear and prepare to race in the blustery conditions, a report from a lady worried that her husband hadn�t returned after some wild swimming led to Bass rescue rushing out to track him down. Fortunately he had been seen earlier, with fluorescent float, so they soon spotted him again and reunited him with his wife. He had got somewhat disoriented in the choppy waters, but had suffered no harm.

Although two helms, and one crew, had turned up to race, enthusiasm was solely with Banter, so racing was cancelled for the day.

Before returning rescue craft to their moorings, they checked on a couple of paddle boarders struggling to make headway in the conditions, and subsequently took them back to their launch site.

Sunday�s forecast was wetter and windier, and perhaps several took heed as there was just one helm that turned up to compare reality with the webcam view! Racing was cancelled for the second day in a row.

Summer is here!

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With the warm weather set to remain for a few more days at least, and, for a change, with a forecast of strong, gusty winds all weekend, there was a lower than usual turnout for the championship weekend series. Those that turned up were pleasantly surprised that conditions were less gusty than forecast, and� very sailable,

There were a couple of capsizes, but sailors enjoyed some good planing conditions, especially in the first race. The winds were very shifty and challenging for some on the beats.

Ian/Lezliann led the first race in the handicap fleet, while in the second race Banter/Oscar in their RS200 were delighted to break away from Ian/Lezliann in a F15, and John in a Solo before finishing with a good lead.

In the other fleets, consistency was the order of the day with Dave/Lynn winning both GP races, and Bean/Lucy winning the slow handicap races.

Sunday’s forecast was more blustery than Saturday, but remained sailable. James/Jenny capsized before the start and gave up. Emma in a Mirror found the blustery weather too challenging without a crew, while Emma/Jules made it to the end of the first beat, capsized, then went for a bit of a blast! Paul in a Laser� had a couple of capsizes as well, but continued to the end of the race.

Again, there were some spectacular reaches to be had, and enjoyed!

In the handicap fleet, John in his Solo won the first race, but Banter/Oscar in their RS200 went on to win the next three races and the Isel Cup, with Ian/Lezliann in a F15 2nd, and John 3rd.

Dave/Lynn had three wins and won the Commodore’s Prize for GPs with Val/Ken 2nd.

Bean/Lucy in their Mirror had three wins also, winning the Orsova Cup with James in a Tera 2nd

Final results

RYA Regional Junior Championship 2023

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A busy weekend hosting the RYA Junior Championship had over 150 helms competing in nine fleets with seven races scheduled.

The morning SE breeze veered to the SW mid morning, but when the course mark laying was nearing completion, the backed to the SE again with a light 2-4kts. Some repositioning was necessary before racing got underway about noon.

Most sailors were well behaved on the starts, with only a few single recalls which resulted in the use of the U flag for some fleets on later starts. The wind faded substantially for a short while during the first race of some fleets, but quickly came back and strengthened, and, fortunately, there were no more major wind shifts.

There was one brief light shower, but the sun eventually broke through the clouds around 4pm, and the wind faded soon after, so subsequent starts were postponed until Sunday.

Sunday started with a poor forecast but a typical SE katabatic (so we’re led to believe) wind which was likely to fizzle out at noon! The championship race course was set up to the south end of the main bay and into the narrows near Scarness.

Racing was underway as scheduled at 10.30 with winds from 3-8 kts, but soon after high noon, with the wind too light to start more races, the AP was raised. It would be another hour before the wind returned, fortunately from a similar direction, and racing got back underway.

By the 2.35 deadline for the final start signal, there was only one of the 35 races in the championship that could not be raced.

Overall the competitors were were well behaved at the starts, with only one general recall, and a handful of single recalls.

A busy weekend, with a lot of racing and time spent on the water, proved to be very enjoyable and successful, and, no doubt, will have many competitors sleeping on their journey home!

Final results

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

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Saturday had the hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching 28C, and there was SE force 4 to boot! Though the wind eased slightly from time to time, the champagne conditions continued throughout the afternoon for the first two races in the weekend Fleet Challenge series

The was some great planing conditions to be enjoyed by all, but only one capsize.

Unexpectedly, Sunday started with force 1-2 southerly though it eased after about half an hour as it competed with a northerly causing various calm spots, and some major shifts! Fortunately through the lunch break the sea breeze took over and there was a steadier breeze for the final race of the series.

Though positions on the water fluctuated and some ha, on handicap Dave/Lynn had consistent results, winning all four races. Neil/Archie in their RS200 had two 2nds and dead heat with Paul/Vicky taking 2.5 points and 2nd overall. Mike/Jack in a Graduate were 3rd

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Sun Filled Weekend

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The sunny weather continued into the weekend with temperatures in the low 20s. The forecast NE wind proved to be as shifty and variable as the previous weekend. Being the end of half term, and several members competing in the Mirror National Championships in Brightlinsea, there was just one fleet racing on Saturday.

During the first race the swinging wind faded for a short while then came back having veered through almost 90 degrees forcing boats to tack on the final reach! The course was relocated for the next race, though the wind shifts were somewhat less dramatic.

Mike/Jack netted another two wins to strengthen their lead in the series, with Pauk G 2nd, and just one race left.

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Sunday started with little wind but it filled in from the NE in time for racing. Again there was just one fleet enjoying a much steadier wind than Saturday.

Neil/Archie led the race in the RS200, but on handicap it was another win for Mike/Jack, again strengthening their lead in the series, with Neil G 2nd.

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With the risk of a sea breeze affecting the wind after lunch it was decided to run both races back to back.

As with the 1st race, Neil/Archie led the race, but Mike/Jack made it a clean sweep with another win.

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Final results in Mirror Nationals – Congratulations to all for their great achievements

Overalls for 2023 UK Mirror Nationals

  • Naomi & Lucy ? Regatta
  • Phil & Oliver ?
  • Andy & Lily 9th
  • Alex & Saskia 14th – Plus Youngest Crew to complete all races ?

Whit Bank Holiday 2023

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The forecast for the third bank holiday this month was unusually good. Fortunately, it seemed to be accurate on Saturday, with bright spells, and a warm wind from the west offering good planing conditions, it was another dose of champagne sailing conditions (not that some of the Friday evening revellers could perhaps face a drink!).

There was an excellent turnout of more than 40 boats for the Mark Ninnim memorial trophy, being raced over two races on Saturday. The shifty conditions mixed up the typical finishing positions for many, but meant there was close racing, with many positions changing. The extra long line needed for a single start led to the first general recall of the season in club racing.

Final results

Sunday’s wind was slow to fill in from the forecast NE but it appeared in time for racing only for it to be superseded by a southerly. The course was a straightforward windward leeward. There were various shifts throughout the start sequence, but soon after the last start the southerly and NE winds successfully opposed each other causing a massive calm patch for 10-15 minutes.

Finally the NE wind won, and the legs became reaches, but at least the boats were sailing again!

During lunch the wind held, then swung back to the south, which held until the fleets had started, then repeated the morning by dying! By the time the last boat finished the wind had reappeared from the NE.

The final race of the day followed on with the best winds of the day, and some good planing conditions.

In the F15s, Robbie D/Toggle watched their lead diminish in the first race as the fleet on the other side of the course were first to benefit from the wind filling in from the NE. They held on to win, but gear failure prevented further results. Andy/Ian won the other races, but with three results it was to be Ian/Lezliann than lead overnight.

The mixed conditions ended up with Mike/Jack in a Graduate, Phil/Oscar in a RS200 and Jack/Caroline in a RS400 each winning a race, but consistency by Chris/Evie in a RS200 gave them the overnight lead.

Dave/Lynn took three wins and the overnight lead in the GPs, with AJ/Sue 2nd.

In the slow handicap, Bean/Oliver dead heated on handicap with Tristan in the first race, but took another two wins to lead overnight.

Bank holiday Monday started like Sunday with few ripples on the water but half an hour before the start the NE wind filled enough of the bay for stand in OD Commodore Preston announced the committee boat was heading out.

There was a short delay to recover the port pin which was temporarily marking the location of a rogue commercial wheelie bin, but, with the wind having filled the bay, proceedings got underway, catching out a few stragglers.

Again, there were some large swings in wind direction, with places gained and lost, but the wind held to the end, and the lunch break, during which the wheelie bin was successfully recovered!

After lunch a line was set for a 2pm start only for the wind to fade and swing, and spin through numerous directions, so a postponement signalled, the line lifted, and the waiting began. After half an hour, and numerous boats heading ashore, racing was about to be abandoned when there was a hint of a sea breeze, so a new line set, the sequence started, then postponed moments before the first start due to the wind dying. There was one more attempt to start the final race, but to no avail.

In the F15s a win by Ian/Lezliann confirmed their 1st place winning the Scarness Cup, with Robbie D/Toggle 2nd.

Similarly Chris/Evie won the handicap race and secured their overnight lead to win the Wythop Trophy, with Phil/Oscar 2nd.

With 3 wins, Dave/Lynn couldn’t be beaten in the Graham Cup but they added another win to their collection, and AJ/Sue finished 2nd in the series.

It was the same story in the slow handicap, with overnight leaders Bean/Oliver taking another win and the series Reflection Trophy, with Tristan 2nd.

Final results

After racing there was a mysterious flypast of eight military helicopters, including 3/4 chinooks…

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