Overcast and wet at times but, at last, a decent racing breeze.
The fleet consisted of Oscar & Rory in their Feva XL, Phil in a Ilca7, Neil in the Ilca6 and Saskia in the Opi. Neil led both races on the water but couldn’t escape the clutches of Oscar & Rory, who won both races on handicap.
One can only imagine the discussion over dinner in the Davenport house, somewhere along the lines of, “did you enjoy those swims Dad? Oh, and did we beat you on the water there?”
With no paid rescue available there was insufficient cover so racing was cancelled this week. Please ensure you arrange alternative cover if you’re unable to undertake your allocated duty.
It is with sadness that we advise Mik Chappell passed away earlier today. He has suffered with ill health over recent years and been unable to attend the club very often.
Mik has been a long standing active member of the club, as a past Commodore, and Trustee. He started sailing with his wife Sandra in a GP, then they had a Flying 15, but after her death he continued to sail in Mirrors.
Mik has no dependents. His funeral is being held at 1pm Wednesday 15th October in Christ Church, Criffel Street, Silloth CA7 4DA, and afterwards at nearby Silloth Golf Club
Saturday started overcast and dry with a lack of wind for the 58 competitors from north of England and south of Scotland. An hour before the scheduled start the wind filled in across the bay, and the OD set off to set a line, though with some drizzle moving in, the wind eased, and direction started to swing.
The course was reset for an easterly breeze, and racing was underway after a short delay, and apart from three boats being caught OCS under the U flag, the starts were clear. The wind did swing slightly, but there was some good racing in the F1-2 breeze. Alistair/Helen Norris in RS200 from Leigh & Lowton took the honours, with Tom/Poppy Moss in RS Vision from Bass 2nd, and Sam Watson/Phil Hodgkins in VX One from Bass 3rd.
The course had to be reset again for the next race, but within 10 minutes of the start the wind had swung so much that the windward/leeward course had become reach/reach, so the race was abandoned, and restarted after resetting the course again for a NNW direction. Through the race, the wind eased and veered round to NNE. It was the RS200s that mastered the conditions with Chris/Evie Pickles from Bass winning, Brendan Lynch/Ellie Clark from East Lothian 2nd, and Ewan Wilson/Anna Sturrock 3rd.
There was a delay before race 3 while waiting for the wind to settle from the SE, and resetting the course again. Four boats were caught OCS and later advised there would be no further racing as the wind had eased yet again. Frustratingly, soon after the race was shortened, the wind started to bed in (roughly from the SE), but a long afternoon in cold and wet conditions meant no-one contested the decision to stop racing for the day. Graham Pristley/Artur Dembinski in VX One from Bass/Ullswater won, with Alistair/Helen Norris 2nd , and Brendan Lynch/Ellie Clark 3rd.
Overnight lead is held by Alistair/Helen Norris, with Brendan Lynch/Ellie Clark 2nd.
The forecast for Sunday was brighter, dryer, with lighter winds, and it started without any wind whatsoever, so racing was postponed for over an hour. When setting the course it was apparent that there were two winds; one was from the forecast NNW, and the other from the W. By moving the course further towards Scarness, generally, there was a merger of the winds with numerous shifts for the sailors to contend with as differing gusts came through.
The first two races of the day went smoothly, and were both won by Ollie Groves/Esther Parkhurst in a RS400 from Beaver. A shift during the start sequence of the next race resulted in a general recall, and the wind then eased, before veering the best part of 60 degrees, so the race was curtailed early, enabling one further race to be held. The first being won by Ewan Wilson/Anna Sturrock in a RS200 from East Lothian, and the next by Ollie Groves/Esther Parkhurst. Wind conditions throughout the day were mixed but offered good challenges/opportunities, with occasional planing conditions.
Overall, Alistair/Helen Norris were clear winners with a net 10 points, Ollie Groves/Esther Parkhurst 2nd, and Chris/Evie Pickles 3rd.
Overall winners Alistair and Helen Norris from Leigh & Lowton
Saturday was mild with a good F2-3 SSE breeze and a fleet of 9 boats, including 3 trainees trying their hand again.
Neil/Archie led the way in their RS400, winning both races in the water and on handicap with Artur in an Aero securing two 2nds and daughter Olivia in an ILCA 6 two 3rds. Toggle in his Solo was the only one to capsize though he quickly recovered from it.
Sunday started mild with a stronger F4, again from the SSE but only Neil/Archie turned up to race and defend their lead in the series, so racing was cancelled and Neil/Archie won the series
Disappointingly the conditions weren�t appropriate to take any visitors to the Baton of Hope event being hosted at the club out for a sail, but they enjoyed the music in the clubhouse, and welcomed the baton which was being taken around the county by Blood Bikes Cumbria
It is with sadness that we have just learnt of the death of Mike Moore, a day after his 76th birthday. Although being treated for cancer in recent months, his passing was unexpectedly sudden, and peaceful, with his family at his side.
During his 53 years at the club, Mike has been on council and held several officer roles including Hon Secretary and Commodore, and regularly helped at events such as the 24 hour race, NSSA and other open meetings.
Our thoughts are with his wife Christina, and daughters, at this sad time.
If you have any photos of Mike the family would be delighted to have an electronic copy – they can be sent to [email protected] to be forwarded to the family.
Funeral Service and committal at Lytham Park Crematorium Lytham St. Annes on Thursday August 21st at 12.15 pm.
�A touch of colour would be appreciated�
Family flowers only please donations if desired for The RNLI (Lytham Branch)
It is with sadness that we advise Mik Chappell passed away earlier today. He has suffered with ill health over recent years and been unable to attend the club very often.
It is with sadness that we have just learnt of the death of Mike Moore, a day after his 76th birthday. Although being treated for cancer in recent months, his passing was unexpectedly sudden, and peaceful, with his family at his side.