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High wind and rain resulted in the cadet training being cancelled on Saturday. However, it didn’t put off Scumper and� Zefer� from blowing the cobwebs off their RS400 and getting it ready for a sail, ever confident that the forecast of easing winds would come to fruition.

The wind slowly abated, and the rain stopped (always makes sailing more inviting!), and four boats opted to race in the Celebrity Glass Pursuit. It was to be Matty in his RS Tera that would start first, while dad Scumper & Zefer in their RS400 would be last to start some 16 mins later. Matty sailed well, stayed upright, but was passed in both races by eventual race winner Scumper. Andy T in his Laser picked a challenging day for his first race of the season, and got to practice his capsize technique a few times, as did Poppy in her Topper.

Sailing was hard work, but there were some exciting reaches to be enjoyed. Scumper won overall with Matty 2nd.

Final results Celebrity Glass

Sunday brought a fresh southerly, that veered and backed around Sale Fell all day, the downside being that the shadow caused by the fell affected various legs of the course. When the wind was fully in play, there were some great planing reaches to be enjoyed.

In the first race, John/Jack beat AJ/Sue in the GPs, Robbie D beat Dave L in the handicap, and Andy/Lily beat Katia in the slow handicap.

BL etc Latest results

Between races Banter/Izzy went ashore to replace a spinnaker halyard, but, with the wind freshening again, the OD couldn’t hold the start of the pennant race long enough for them to return (which they did, some minutes into the race). Seconds before the start a squall resulted in Dave L in his Laser, and AJ/Sue both capsizing. Though the wind then suddenly eased, shifts and gusts continued throughout the race resulting in more capsizes (Ethan seemed prone to capsizing just as he passed the Bates!), and several retirements.

On handicap it was Robbie D in a Solo that won, with John/Jack in their GP 2nd, and Andy/Lily in their Mirror 3rd

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy overall results

May Bank Holiday

1 May, 2021

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The weekend started off with a gloriously sunny, but cold, day and a light, variable wind. There was another excellent turnout of cadets and juniors for the morning training, many of which gave the afternoon racing a go too.

The light NE wind looked promising for racing, but it faded, delaying the start, then came back in from the east, swinging quickly to the SE though the start sequence. However, wind wise, it was to be an afternoon of no consistency, as it swung, dropped, filled in briefly from the NE, dropped, swung to the north, dropped again, etc, etc.

The fleet of 33 boats seemed content to put up with the conditions, and even stayed out for the second race. Andy/Phil launched their new F15, certainly not the best conditions to test it in, and raced against the formidable duo Graham/Alan. Andy secured a good start port on port, with Graham at the starboard end crossing a few seconds later, however, the changing wind left Andy in a hole as Graham slipped into the lead from which Andy didn’t recover. Things can only get better Andy!…

John/Jack took another two wins in the GPs from AJ/Sue, while Robbie D had two wins from Neil, both in Solos, in the handicap fleet. Stephen in a Mirror had two wins in the slow handicap fleet from Mik in a Mirror in the first race, and Poppy in her Topper in the 2nd. All the winners presently lead their series overall.

Latest MG results

Sunday was more overcast, with a wind that bedded in as the morning progressed, although yet again it continued to� swing throughout the day, with some challenging backers for the sailors to contend with.

For the two day weekend series there was a Fleet Challenge with just a single start for all 27 boats, not that they got away in a single start as there was two general recalls, with the threat of a black flag coming into play (which it did for the second race!). There were several capsizes, including one for AJ/Sue when they got their mast stuck in the mud. Graham/Alan in a F15 were leading the fleet until the leeward mark when they struggled to drop their spinnaker and dropped down the fleet as a result. Andy/Phil struggled to find second gear again, this time due to a failed kicker. Meanwhile, daughter Katia, led the Teras all round the course until the final beat when she was pipped at the post by Matty.

Robbie D in a Solo won the first two races, with John/Jack in their GP 2nd. After a lunch break, the fleet thinned out to just 13 starters. This time Dave L in a Laser beat Robbie D into 2nd place.

Sunday morning was glorious, and even the wind looked much lighter on the webcam than forecast. However, the forecast did prove to be correct with a gusty SSE, and persistent rain. It was the enthusiasm of Katia and Hannah that eventually got racing underway. The official starter chose to use a shore based start (best decision of the day!), with a beat from 0 to 8. The downside of having to clear away thousands of dead flies in the race office, was far outweighed by the ability to be sheltered from the cold wind and rain.

When the wind veered towards the SSW, the beat was more in shadow, making the beat more challenging, but with large shifts and lighter patches, however, there were some good gusts on the reaches to make up for it. 40 minutes of challenging conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm of Banter, Ethan, and Zefer, all of whom were keener than the OD to have another race. So they had a running start for course 0-1-5. Despite being further away from the shadow of Sale Fell, the winds were not much kinder, especially rounding 0!

Considering the gusts, there were only a few capsizes. Two more wins for Zefer earned him the trophy on fleet handicap while Katia won the trophy on personal handicap

Fleet Challenge A final results

April Sunshine

24 April, 2021

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The sunny weather continues, with light winds for another busy juniors and cadet training session. The light winds were forecast to continue but, unexpectedly, the wind freshened from the NE and held throughout the afternoon racing.

As ever, the wind swung back and forth, but overall the strength held giving rise to various capsizes, and some great planing conditions at times. Although Scumper in his RS100 led both races, he could not break away sufficiently to win either of them, taking a 5th and a 6th on handicap. It was John/Jack in a GP, and Dave in a Laser Radial, that battled it out each securing a 1st and a 2nd place, with Dave taking his win by just 1 sec on handicap. Bean, sailing with Lucy in their Mirror, took 3rd in the first race before calling it a day.

The Juniors were led by Matty who, unfortunately, sailed them around the wrong course in the first race! Perhaps, there’s a lesson to be learnt there?

Dave presently leads the series ahead of John/Jack.

Latest MJM results

Sunday morning had AJ on his prayer mat hoping that the early morning breeze spotted on the webcam would hold. Of course, that must have been the kiss of death as the wind fizzled out, only returning in patches every now and then.

Racing did get underway by 1230hrs but it remained light, and boats had some motion even in the mirror like conditions. One lap, and 30 minutes, was considered enough for the lead boat, especially as the tail enders would take twice as long. Despite their lead, Chris/Evie in their RS200 finished 4th on handicap behind Joan/Jack, and Paul B in a Solo.

Perhaps AJ’s efforts on the prayer mat had an effect as AJ/Sue won the GP race ahead of John/Jack and Val/Ken. AJ promised to have a drink on everyone’s behalf!

In the Slow handicap fleet all the competitors were Smiths! So no surprises that a Smith won, namely Phil/Lucy, ahead of Katia who kept herself company on the slow drift to the finish by singing Take a chance on me.

Though there was a couple of boats interested in having another race, most voted with their paddles. So the remaining race was cancelled.

Latest BL etc results

Night Jar 3

22 April, 2021

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After a wonderfully sunny day there seemed little chance of a decent wind for the 3rd race in the Night Jar series. Surprisingly competitors were greeted by a light but relatively steady Westerly.

In anticipation of the wind dying, which it did, the Race Officers set a short triangular course of 0, 9, B. Joan and Jack in their newly acquired Graduate led from start to finish from Neil in his Solo. Paul Bowmer, in his new Solo, forced Alan and Sue out on the finish line to pip them.

Result remained the same on handicap.

The Best Laid Plans

17 April, 2021

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A sunny windless morning didn’t impede the enthusiasm of the cadets and juniors for another training session. Some light airs did fill in to let them have some fun on the water.

By the time club racing began, the wind had filled in fully from the west. Having checked wind conditions on various potential legs, a course was set only for the wind to back more to the SW shortly after the first start. The wind continued to swing, and faded somewhat, throughout the race.

The start line was moved to suit the strengthening SW wind for the next race. Of course, it didn’t remain steady, and eased yet again after the first lap, but soon after the shorten course signal was raised, the wind bedded back in, from the SW!

The afternoon’s racing had two wins for John/Jack in the GPs from Val/Ken to take the lead in the Spring Cup, and the same for Bean/Oliver from Andy/Lily sailing Mirrors in the slow handicap MT Red Sails Trophy. In the main handicap fleet, in the first race John beat Robbie D in Solos from Joan/Jack in their newly acquired Graduate, while in the second race, Solos of Robbie D and Rory took 1st and 2nd, with Joan/Jack taking another 3rd. Robbie D leads the Barf Trophy

Shiver Me….

10 April, 2021

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Another bustling Saturday morning for the cadets and juniors, with sufficient breeze to get them all on the water.

The northerly breeze was cold, but the sunshine helped temper the conditions (when it wasn’t hiding behind the odd cloud!). The fleet of 26 boats had to contend with a light breeze which swung, and eased from time to time, causing the fleet to spread out, and prolong the first race. The wind was a couple of minutes late settling in for the second race (way too cold to hang about waiting for it!) but it held, and the shorter course kept the fleet together.

The mixed conditions resulted in mixed fortunes, however, John Reekie in his Solo was more consistent than others with a 1st and 2nd to lead the series overall, with Dave/Lynn in their GP on 4 points and 2nd overall.

MJM latest results

After a freezing night, Sunday started with clear blue skies and no wind. However it did fill in from the north in time for racing. It must have been colder than Saturday as AJ wore his drysuit, rather than just his shorts! Shifty as ever, ground could be readily gained, or lost, depending on whether you were in the right part of the beat at the right time.

Dave/Lynn beat John/Jack to regain the lead in the series, while Robbie D beat Joan/Jack trialling a Graduate to maintain his lead in the series.

BL etc latest results

The second race was the first pennant of the season, though the OD opted to keep the fleet in the northern bay, wary that the forecast was for the wind to pick up and back to the west. Soon after the start, worryingly, the wind dropped but filled in again after five minutes, before swinging and picking up as forecast. John/Jack in their GP lead the fleet, and won the race ahead of Robbie D in his Solo. As racing finished, a snow flurry could be seen over the Caldbeck hills…

Eric Twiname Trust pennant results

Just Like Old Times

3 April, 2021

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Easter Saturday, sunshine, and the first day of club racing provided a perfect combination to get more than 20 boats racing.

The morning started with 21 boats out for a junior cadet training session in some light winds.

The wind remained light for the afternoon racing, and it was variable in strength, and shifty to boot, so racing was confined to the NW corner of the lake to try and stay in the wind.

The first start was busy and had two boats OCS. The shifty winds proved to be challenging, and towards the end of the second race, the wind faded to mirror like conditions bringing back memories of years gone by. Although the easing wind benefitted the juniors as they were first to be finished when the course was shortened, Scumper had a large enough lead in his RS100 to take his second win of the day, and win the series overall.

The main thing is that we�re back on the water. Good times!

Overall results for Starter�s Prize

Sunday was somewhat different – overcast, colder, plenty of wind which was forecast to increase, and a smaller selection of more hardy sailors!

With conditions liable to be less inviting, two races were sailed back to back, with the third race to be sailed after a lunch break for those that were up for it. Racing was close, and somewhat dependent on mistakes/capsizes, of which there were several, in the gusty and shifting conditions. In the GPs, Dave/Lynn and John/Jack each had a win, as did Scumper and Robbie D in the Handicap fleet.

When the lunch break started, sailors opted to pack up their boats rather than snack in the warmth of their cars before having to venture back out again.

Final Countdown

6 March, 2021

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If the Government’s roadmap continues as planned, you could be back on the water by the end of the month, although racing is not scheduled to start until Easter Saturday 3 April. The sailing programme is available on this website, and everyone allocated with OD, or rescue, duties should have received notifications within the last few days. If your allocated duty needs to be changed due to other commitments, please use the links on DutyMan to arrange a swap.

After so many weeks of lockdown, it’s time to stop procrastinating and get your boat prepared for the season.

Don’t forget to log each and every visit using the menu link above.

Happy sailing!