GNAC 2023
Great North Asymmetric Challenge 2023
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.
Great North Asymmetric Challenge 2023 – RS200s
Tinker Trophy 2023
With the schools back, the weather has perked up for a brief Indian summer and providing champagne sailing conditions. The Tinker Association had a smaller fleet than usual for their open meeting, while club boats were racing� in a weekend series for the Tinker Trophy.
Fortunately the light westerly was enhanced by the effects of a sea breeze, though, as ever, there were some regular swings in direction enabling gains for those on the right shifts! Paul/Vicki were generally leading the fleet on the water, but when Val/Ken chose to fly their kite on a tight reach they broke through to lead the race to the end.
As forecast, the wind was lighter on Sunday so there was a slight delay to the start waiting for the wind to fill back in which just about held for the morning race which Neil led on the water. To avoid the heavy rain forecast for early afternoon, it was proposed to sail the races back to back, but boats headed ashore due to the light wind. After lunch the wind came in from the south with gusto tempting Banter to take out his RS300, but it was the first reach before he took the lead and broke away. The offwind legs had some exciting planing conditions when some gusts came through (together with some more persistent rain), and there was at least one capsize.
Final results (when available)
Good luck to all those members taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday.
Sad News
Many Flying 15 sailors will be saddened to learn of the death of John Hardisty. John has had a long association with the club, and was a regular visitor to Bass Week until about 2015. Indeed his wife Lesley first attended when she was a teenager!
Our thoughts are with Lesley and their family at this sad time.
Funeral will be held at 1445 on Wednesday 6th September at Mountsett crematorium, Ewehurst Rd, Dipton, Stanley. DH9 9JP
Dress code – No suits. Bright colours.
No flowers, donations to Cancer Research.
August Bank Holiday
By the time Saturday racing came around many needed to refocus having had a couple of fun days since arriving on Thursday for the extended weekend.
The day had started with a coffee morning for Caroline in aid of cancer research.
The winds were light but filled in from the north, and backed more as a sea breeze came in while the OD was course setting. During the first couple of laps there was sufficient strength for some planing, before veering to the north again, and easing. By the time the fleet of 36 boats had finished, the wind had faded to nothing. Attempts to start another race were abandoned and the boats prepared to race headed ashore. However Cam decided to jump ship and swim ashore (which he did successfully!)
A dull, drizzly, morning on Sunday with light winds had many sailors looking very unenthusiastic! However, with the wind filling in the OD got racing underway with only a few minutes delay. Half an hour into the race, some rain moved in, the wind veered to the north, eased, and then faded to near drifting conditions before returning 25 minutes later from the west enabling the remaining boats to finish this side of Christmas!
After the lunch break, the rain cleared, and a westerly breeze stayed throughout the afternoon, with another two races being completed.
The day’s racing had an expanded F15 fleet with Matty/Henry trying their hand in Aunty Gayle’s boat, while Stephen/Georgina tried out Graham’s boat.
By Monday the extra long weekend was taking its toll, and, with a desire to have an early escape, the races were sailed back to back. The wind strength was F1/2 occasionally freshening to F3, and a frustrating lull towards the end of the first race as the wind was shaded by Sale Fell for a while.
Despite the varying winds, for most of the fleets the results were fairly consistent with Robbie D/Henry/Dave winning the Flying Free Trophy with three 1sts and a 2nd, ahead of Ian/Lezliann with a 1st and three 2nds. The GP Aitken Cup was won by Val/Ken two 1sts and two 2nds, with Paul/Vicki 2nd, and James/Jenny 3rd. Bean/Lucy won the Mirror Mug & Weekend E trophies with four 1sts and Alex/Saskia 2nd. The handicap August Trophy was won by Matt/Oliver from Chris/Evey, both in RS200s, and both with 8 points as Matt had two 1sts.
All in all it was great a great weekend with over 50 boats racing.
With the championship season only having a month to run, the Championship results have been updated.
Sad News
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the unexpected passing of Judith Corry yesterday. Judith has been ill for some time and was pleased to make it to Bass Week.
Judith and her family have had sailing in their blood, had association with the club for over 40 years, and been active members for nearly 10 years.
Our thoughts are with husband Angus, and son James, together with the rest of their family at this sad time.
Judith�s funeral is planned for 12 Noon 15th September at Saltwell crematorium. Everyone is invited back to the Ravensworth Arms in Kibblesworth NE11 0ER.
Coffee and Cakes for Caroline
We will be holding a Cancer Research Coffee Morning in the clubhouse, Bank holiday Saturday at 1030. Everyone welcome.
Tea, coffee and juice will be provided. Please support the event by bringing along a contribution for the table, biscuits, scones, cake, etc.
Catch up with friends, enjoy some culinary goodies and make a donation to support the invaluable research work carried out by Cancer Research UK.
Anyone taking part in sail training can choose their cake and we will keep it safe for them!
Thank you.
Sunday Pennant
With the tale end of storm Betty forecast to be affecting racing, there was a select few potential sailors turned out on Sunday. In fact, there was a good base wind, without any major gusts, that was mild, and it stayed dry!
With just two takers for two fleets, it was decided to forgo the first race, watch the women�s World Cup final, then race the Banana Stakes pennant. As much as the OD wanted to maintain the tradition of sailing around the lake, the wind had too much west in it, so the course remained in the main bay.
Dave/Lynn in their GP took an early lead, and it took Neil/Archie in their RS200 more than a lap to break through to the lead. A capsize quashed their chances of getting a sufficient lead to win on handicap.
Final honours went to Dave/Lynn, with Val/Ken 2nd