We have just learned that on 24 May 2021 TREVOR BUTCHER died suddenly and without any suffering when he fell over in the garden. Having moved back to Cumbria recently with Diana he was enjoying time with his children and grandchildren and will be missed by all of his family.

Trevor has been a long standing member of the club. Having been very active on the council, and in the Flying Fifteen fleet, until he moved out of the area, he was made an honorary member.

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

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

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

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

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.

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!

Very best wishes for 2021, and hopefully a return to a full and enjoyable racing season

The 69th Annual General Meeting was held online on Sunday 6th December 2020

Naomi opened the meeting by thanking everyone that had helped during her time as Commodore, and especially those that had helped manage the club during this exceptionally challenging season.

The following members were elected on to Council.

Commodore – Jon Denwood
Secretary – Pauline Nicholson
Treasurer – Mike Cave
Sailing Secretary – Phil Smith
Rear Commodore – Naomi Smith
Asst Sailing Secretary – Alastair Duncan
Boats & Buoys – Alex Leonard
Grounds & Jetties – Mark Somerville
Membership – Joe Roberts
PRO – Paul Allen
Training – Anthony Woodyer
Safety – Robin Dawson
Social – Joanna Van Lachterop

Fleet Captains
Flying 15 – Simon Longstaff�
GP14 – Mike Fairlamb
Mirror – Mik Chappell
Handicap – Izzy Hunter
Laser – Paul Gannon

The following roles are vacant and all expressions of interest would be greatly appreciated, just get in touch with Jon

• Vice Commodore
• Bar
• Galley
• House

It was agreed that subscriptions for current members would renew at 2020 rates, with a small increase for new members after 1st April.

To encourage junior racing, the sailing instructions will be amended such that, when all boats are in a single race, juniors/cadets may be shortened, and get results, without shortening the whole race.

A password protected members’ website will be introduced for member specific information.

A vote of thanks was given to Naomi for all her efforts during what has proved to be an exceptionally challenging season.

After a wet and windy morning, the forecast was for the wind to ease, and it did! (Not that AJ believed it would). Eight boats took to the water.

Dave/Lynn got the best flying start and were first to the windward mark. Scumper caught them up on the next reach, and pulled away. There were some planing reaches early on, but the wind continued to ease throughout the afternoon, perhaps reflecting the changing fortunes in the results, where Scumper had a clear win in the first race but dropping to 5th in the second one. However, Dave was more consistent taking 2nd and 1st places respectively.�

Saturday series latest results�

On Sunday the forecast was for gusty conditions, and more sailors appeared to be taking heed as AJ was the first and only boat to be rigged until, that is, Barbara appeared and he eagerly offered to help her rig her boat. His explanation as to why he offered to help Barbara but not Neil G was, embarrassingly, overheard by Barbara while she was in the toilet…

As the fleet of three headed out, the wind picked up. Barbara was caught out by a gust, and capsized, then struggled to right it. AJ/Sue and Neil G did start, but Neil came back to check on Barbara, then retired. The OD was in a benevolent mood (or did he want to get home for lunch?), and shortened the race for AJ at the end of the first lap. Although Andy T turned up for a sail, no one else was up for another race, which brought the series to an end with Val/Ken the victors, and AJ/Sue a close 2nd

Autumn Sunday series final results