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April Sunshine

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

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.

Latest results

The Best Laid Plans

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

Latest results MG/BT/SC etc

 On Sunday the wind failed to materialise so without much ado, racing was cancelled for the day

Shiver Me….

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

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.

Latest results Blencathra Trophy etc

Monday’s forecast was less favourable but the Bassenthwaite micro-climate offered clear blue skies, with a bitterly cold wind, but sailable conditions. However, with only one GP and and RS400 prepared to sail, racing was cancelled for the day.

Final Countdown

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!

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