Bassenthwaite was well represented at the prestigious Lord Birkett Trophy held this weekend on Ullswater. We had 8 boats entered as part of the record 230 boat fleet which included multiple world champions, Olympians and a number of past winners including our own Commodore Mark. Unfortunately Vice Commodore Robin was unable to sail as his crew Phil was off colour. The others were treated to two 16 mile ’round the lake” races on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s race was held in a good southerly breeze which started at the club with a beat towards Glenridding around an island and a run back to Pooley Bridge then a final upwind leg to the finish. There were many capsizes and incidents �throughout. Sunday’s race around a similar course saw much more variable winds with massive gains and losses been made by all competitors.

Bass sailors were spread throughout the fleet. Steve/ Ruth in a Merlin were best placed in 20th closely followed by Simon/Jon sailing a Flying Fifteen in 21st �and first Flying Fifteen, Mike/Kayla also in a Fifteen were 28th with Mark/Joe 33rd in a RS400. Alex/Olivia finished 40th in a RS 200 and Alan/Sue 52nd in their GP14. Ethan/Izzie finished 127th in an RS 200.
AJ’s views on the event-

Sat the wind was strong�but our best result. Sun there were loads of holes, and I have Robbie D to thank for ‘signing me on’�or the result wouldn’t have counted.

Managed by the skin of our teeth to be the first GP�so the very impressive trophy�that Dave L and Andy S won over the last few years�has come back to Bass again.

We watched it for a few years.�Pleased I did it. Great experience.�Not sure I’ll do it again -�Now�where/when have I heard that before?..

It started with drizzle and, when it got heavier, many decided on wet weather gear. But, out on the Lake it was dry and sunny! The line was set at A and the 6 minute flag was raised. But what about the course board? Oh dear, forgot about that! Much activity on the Bates and the course went out at 3 minutes � 0-1-A. 

Nobody, amongst the 12 competitors, really complained as they were too busy lining up for the start! It appeared to be a fetch but turned into a true beat half way down. The wind was light and places were won and lost rounding 0 for the first time. Alex and Olivia in their 200 were true to form and had a huge lead by the end of the first circuit although they found the approach to A flukey. Tony King�s Laser and the GP�s following at a distance.

On lap 2 all sorts of strange things happened. Joan and Jack dropped to the back of the GP grouping. Tony also suffered and his challenge to the GP�s was taken up by David Haselden in the Solo.

The wind strengthened a little and Alex�s lead increased a lot! He and Olivia were tackling their fourth lap while others were completing their third or second. David Roger�s Topper was the first to finish on 2 laps a whisker ahead of the GP of Mike & Eric on 3.

On FH it was Alex from Mike with David Haselden and excellent third. Alex & Olivia easily won on PH but it was Kath Davis and Caroline Chalmers who took an unexpected, if well deserved, second spot. David was third ahead of Peter Winfindale�s Laser.

 Latest results FH PH

 The seventh round of the Night Jar was similar in many ways to last week. There was a cloudless sky, warm sun but little wind. Only 16 boats were competing this week as some of the Topper and Radial helms were in exam prep mode.

At launching time the wind was a westerly and a course of 9-3-A was selected. But, just before the 6 minute signal, it swung through 90 degrees to the North. So the outer end of the line was moved round in the direction of A and the first mark was changed to 1. The inner mark was left slightly downwind of the Bates.

David with Lottie crewing in the GP went for a port end start but were over the line and signalled to return. The rest of the fleet continued on starboard with the exception of Peter Whipp who tacked off in the Laser soon after the start.

Robin, making a guest appearance in the 100, was first to round the windward mark and pulled out a lead from Alex and Olivia in their 200. The GPs tried to fly their kites on the next leg but without much success and by the time they, and the body of the fleet, reached 3 what little wind there now was had shifted North East resulting in a drifting log jam.

The first two boats were through well before this and heading for A where the shortened course flag was raised. They finished in 26 minutes and 32 minutes respectively. Ethan with his school mate crewing the second 200 was next up on the run to 3. 

Then came the GPs of Val & Ken, AJ & Sue and a recovering Dave & Lottie. Val was through first. AJ had water on Dave at A and headed for the line between the distance marks, but Dave took the opportunity of squeezing between the inner mark and the Bates to cross the line a minute ahead. 

All boats maintained momentum on the run up to A but the finishing time of the last finisher was three times that of the leader. Robin took the win from Alex & Olivia and Peter Whipp in both FH and PH categories

Not much to say about this one except At least we got a race in! With 21 boats on the water on a pleasant sunny evening it seemed a shame to abandon.

When the Bates went out there was a glimmer of hope. Start around A and then 0-B-A maybe? After asking a number of competitors where the wind was coming from it was decided to start at 0 and go A-B-O. But then B was removed and an asymmetric course was posted – but with the run first and a beat back!

 After twenty minutes the postponement flag was lowered and all duly headed down wind. What wind?! Most of the boats with kites managed to get them – sort of – flying for a while. Most headed directly towards A but a few had noticed some disturbed water between B and A so headed left. It turned out to be a good move and a small group of Geeps and Lasers plus Toggle / Joan in their 200 gained from it.

 Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith rounded first and pulled out a lead on the water from Tony King. Eric Guillois / Chris Brookes were sailing their FF really well in the light airs and were pulling the lead boats in up the beat. The Solos of David Haselden and Richard Broughton were also in contention. Mike & Eric finished first on the water and took the FH win from David, Eric & Chris and Richard.

 On PH Richard was classified first ahead of Mike & Eric, Tony King, David and then Eric & Chris. That meant that there were four different types of boat in the top five positions.

 After six rounds we have had no less than forty helms entering the Night Jar series. What that number will be after the sixteenth and final round is anyone�s guess!

The fifth round of the Night Jar took place in a medium strength westerly wind. The forecast squalls went to the North and the South of Dubwath Bay but it was again chilly for late May.

The course was 0-B-A-3-4 so there were a few gybe marks to contend with.

The fourteen boats had a longer line this time and most went for a port end start. Alex & Olivia again led in their 200 followed by a gaggle of GP�s and Neil�s Radial. Val & Ken, as well as being the evenings chefs, were giving Mike with usual rival Dave as crew and then came Joan & Jack in close company with AJ & Sue. All were enjoying the planning kite reach across from A to 3 and the slightly broader leg up to 4.

Peter Winfindale pulled out on the first lap and Jack & Joan on the second when they touched a mark. Izzie spectacularly fell out of her Topper when she missed the toe strap during a tack. Meanwhile, Harry was teaching Josh Hunter the art of helming in one of the Club�s Mirrors.

The lead boats went on to complete three laps but Toppers and other boats with high PY Handicaps were finished after two. These included newcomer Sol White who is consistently sailing the Pico well above its handicap. 

A wind shift to the south gave an interesting finishing line and time was gained by strategic tacking between 4 and YZ. 

On the water, the first finisher was the 200 followed by Mike & Dave closely followed by Val & Ken who had been challenging all evening. This was the order on FH but nobody had foreseen a mega two lap performance by Hazel who took the win on PH ahead of Alex & Olivia with Sol�s Pico next up.

Sailors were greeted with more cloud and slightly less wind than Sunday for the conclusion of the weekend series. The race officer set an excellent course for the first race which included 3 beats, numerous spinnaker legs utilising most of the Northern end of the lake. Neil who had Nick Smith crewing today led the Flying Fifteens from start to finish which gave him victory in the series without needing to sail the final race. Simon & Jon finished second in both the race and series and did not take part in the final race either. The handicap race was won by Robin & Phil in a RS 400 from Phil & Naomi in their RS 200. This gave Phil & Naomi the series win. Mike and Eric won the Gp14s from Dave & Lynn whose 3 firsts on Sunday led to victory in the Spring Cup. Mik won the Slow Handicap fleet from Jim & Poppy.

With a number of winners and places already decided some sailors decided to stay on shore and enjoy the sunshine that had broken through, those that sailed had excellent conditions and exciting racing. Mike who had Ian Preston crewing easily won the Flying Fifteen race finishing 3rd in the series. The handicap race was great for spectators as Robin & Phil battled with Mark & Joe in RS 400s positions changed throughout the race with Robin & Phil just coming out on top. This gave Mark second place in the series with Robin 3rd. Normal service resumed for Dave & Lynn as they won the GP14 race from Val & Ken. Jim & Poppy won the slow handicap race from Hazel & Izzie in a Feva giving them a series win.

Overall it was a fantastic weekends sailing 40 different boats took part including 9 Flying Fifteens and 7 GP14s. The social events were well supported and appreciated by all. Oh! who won the Rounders Match? No one has the answer but it was great fun.

Final results