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Another High

High pressure on Saturday again squeezed out the likelihood of good winds, but there was enough to wind to get racing underway. The general wind direction was from the north, but, as ever, it did swing from time to time.

Banter/Oscar in their RS200 led the handicap fleet in both races, finishing with a 1st and 2nd, with some close competition from Neil/Archie in their RS200 finishing 2nd and 5th, but Mike/Jack in their Graduate were in close contention, finishing 3rd and 1st to hold the lead in the series.

Dave/Lynn won both GP races, and lead the series, with James/Jenny and Julian/Jane each taking a 2nd.

The slow handicap fleet comprised the Smith family – Oliver, Bean, Lily and Andy, all in Teras. A clear demonstration as to how crew weight affects overall boat speed, especially downwind! Oliver won both races. The fact that Bean capsized when caught out by a wind shift is not an acceptable excuse for not doing better… Oliver won both races and leads the series.

Latest BL results

Sunday was brighter, but the wind was lighter, and very variable in strength from minute to minute. Racing was delayed until 1215 hrs but the promising wind from the north all but faded when the sequence commenced. Mike/Jack were not far from the line at their start, but they ended up starting with the GPs! Perhaps it was tactical as they were able to see where the wind might be coming from next, and pulled through to win on the water, on handicap, and maintain the series lead.

In the GPs, AJ/Sue were leading at the end of the first lap, but slipped back to finish 3rd behind Dave/Lynn who lead the series, and Nigel/Glenys 2nd.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust pennant was held after lunch. The winds were just as fickle as the morning. Mike/Jack in a Graduate had some close racing with Dave/Lynn in a GP, finishing 1st on the water and on handicap. Dave/Lynn were 2nd and Banter/Oscar 3rd

Jubilee Sailing Trust pennant results

 

Flying 15 & GP14 Open 2023

Bright sunshine and a lack of wind greeted the entrants for the weekend’s open meeting sponsored by Im pact Marine. However, just before the scheduled start time, a sea breeze started to fill the bay, so the OD prepared to get racing underway just half an hour later than scheduled.

As soon as the line was set, the wind veered to the north, the the line was lifted, relocated, and racing started. The strengthening wind eased again as the two winds battled each other throughout the afternoon, and led to a mix of fortunes for many.

The winds held long enough to get three scheduled races finished, and in the Flying 15s it was Andy Tunicliffe/Andy Smith relatively consistent results that made them overnight leaders with John Reekie/Rory Yardley 2nd. In the GP14s Dave/Lynn Lawson had three wins to take the overnight lead, with Val/Ken Bell 2nd.

Some unscheduled club racing was held alongside the open meeting for which the overnight leader is Paul Clark, with Henry Bullen 2nd, both were sailing Laser Radials

Sunday started in much the same way but without the sun! The wind did start to fill the bay in the half hour before scheduled start time but it would be 1100hrs before boats were on the water and ready to start.

The light airs strengthened in the second half of the first race and generally held for the final race too, and there were some good planing opportunities on the reaches.

As on Saturday, the shifts created opportunities (or challenges!), and there was a set of mixed results for most.

Though there were some spots of rain, fortunately they didn’t last.

Open meeting final results

Flying 15 winner Andy Tunicliffe
GP14 winners Dave/Lynn Lawson
GP14 winners Dave/Lynn Lawson

Club racing final results

Last Minute Cup winner Henry Bullen

 

Club racing

As recently circulated, there will be club racing alongside the Flying 15 and GP open meetings in the form of single handicap fleet. It will follow the schedule of racing of the open meeting sailing instructions.

Beware that start times are earlier than usual – 1300hrs on Saturday and 1030hrs on Sunday

Coronation Weekend

While most of the country were embroiled in the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, a fleet of 16 boats ventured out in the swinging winds for another two races in the MJM and Asymmetric Cup series.

The wind was light and variable, and swung so much that the start line had to be moved even before the first start got underway. Shortly after the boats completed the first windward leg the wind swung round to the north, creating the second beat of the three leg course!Mike/Jack took the honours in a Graduate with Neil/Archie in RS200 2nd.

The start line was moved for the next race in which the wind was steadier, and freshened slightly. Conditions suited Steve/Ruth in their Merlin finishing 1st with Mike/Jack 2nd.

Fortunately the forecast rain held off until all the boats were ashore, if not packed away!

MJM latest results

On Sunday morning the early arrivals were greeted by flat calm conditions, but the wind soon filled in from the west, with the expectation of it increasing as the day went on.

Racing got underway near enough on time for those on the line, but there were a few stragglers. Banter had an excellent start albeit three minutes late! About 30 minutes into the race there were some northerly gusts, similar to Saturday, and a calm area developed between the two sides of the course, and it slowed progress significantly for those having to sail through it, extending the overall length of the race by about 50%!

During the lunch break a sea breeze started to bed in from the SW, and racing conditions were much improved, with the occasional plane being possible.

In the GPs Val/Ken won both races with AJ/Sue 2nd. Dave/Lynn still lead the series.

In the handicap fleet, Mike/Jack lead the series with another win in the morning, Mike/Sally in a F15 won after lunch, and Rory in a Solo finished 2nd in both races.

Phil/Lucy took two wins in the slow handicap, with Oscar in a Tera, and mum Emma in a Mirror, both getting a 2nd place.

Latest BL results

May Bank Holiday Weekend 2023

Due to poor conditions on Saturday racing was cancelled for the day. As is typical, a gentle breeze filled in soon after the cancellation was announced!

Matt/Oliver took the honours in their RS200, with Dave/Lynn in a GP 2nd, and Chris/Laura in a RS200 third.

Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy final results

Sunday�s racing was scheduled to start at 1030, but the lighter than forecast wind delayed matters for just over 30 minutes. The first club race was the Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy postponed from Saturday. The wind was light and variable but sufficient to keep the fleets moving.

The wind freshened on the final beat, and it looked promising that the forecast winds were coming in, but it was necessary to wait until after the lunch break for that to happen.

The higher winds after lunch led to some great spinnaker legs, hairy gybes, with numerous capsizes, and some challenging shifts to test the sailors.

After three races the overnight leaders were Robbie D/Ian in the F15s, Cam in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPs, and Phil/Oliver in the Mirrors (results for club members in the Mirror Northerns count towards this championship series).

Phil/Oliver led the Mirror Northerns too, with Will/Isabelle Crocker being highest placed visitors 2nd.

Gareth Ede was overnight leader in the Catapults

Monday’s wind was less blustery, but just as shifty. The Mirrors and Catapults had an earlier start planned to get their final races in before lunch. However, with echoes of scenes from Jaws, the committee boat was at anchor preparing for the start when it started being towed backwards! Was it a whale, shark, or a submarine? No, one of the rescue boats moving a mark dragged its mooring across the committee boat’s anchor warp! A few minutes later the lines were disentangled, and the start line reset.

Another win by Phil/Oliver Smith from Bass secured their overall lead to win the Northern area Championship. Angus/Isla Armstrong from West Kirby finished 2nd overall, with Will/Isabelle Crocker from Welton 3rd, equal on points, but losing out on countback.

Mirror Northern Areas final results

More consistent sailing by Gareth Ede earned him 1st overall ahead of John Terry 2nd, and George Evans 3rd. At the prize giving Gareth thanked the club on behalf of the visitors for an enjoyable weekend.

Catapult TT final results

After the prize giving, the club sailors went out for their final race of the weekend series. The sun broke through, and the wind settled to offer champagne sailing conditions at the end of a busy weekend’s sailing.

Neil/Rory took another win to secure the Jak Pot trophy for F15s, with Robbie D/Ian 2nd.

Matt/Oliver won the May Holiday Trophy in the handicap fleet, with Scumper in RS100 2nd, and Chris/Laura in RS200 3rd

Val/Ken won the final race, but it was Dave/Lynn that won the Lyne Tankard for GPs, with Val/Ken 2nd, and James/Jenny 3rd.

A couple of wins by Alex/Saskia in a Mirror won them the Peel Pot, with Phil/Oliver 2nd, and Andy/Izzy/Olivia 3rd.

Jak Pot final results

Soggy Start to Weekend

After some glorious days through the week, with plenty of sunshine and wind, Saturday started with torrential rain, which eased as the day moved on, but there was a lack of wind.

The mirror like conditions were broken up by zephyrs, which had Mike and Jack itching to race, but there was a lack of enthusiasm by others, and the mirror like returned, so racing was abandoned for the day.

By Sunday the forecast rain had passed through but the NNE light breeze was slow to develop, so it called for an early lunch, after which the wind had filled in, and continued to increase.

By 1.15 racing was underway. James/Jenny were a bit too eager and had excellent start, albeit they were lined up with the handicap fleet!

Throughout the afternoon the wind varied in strength as different major shifts hit the course.

BL etc latest results (when available)

The second race, the Albert Bates retirement trophy, normally sailed around the lake, immediately followed on. There was a major shift from the east at the start but the wind soon backed to the north. Fortunately the rain held off until racing was over.

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results (when available)

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