Getting competitors to sign on for this race was difficult. Many were waiting to see which category others were going in before deciding which Fleet was likely to bring them an award! When all had put their names on the sheet the OD took it on the water to establish who was sailing what. He chose a longer course consisting of 0-A-B-4 and 21 boats started. In the Handicap Fleet John Reekie sailing his Skiff misjudged it and got badly boxed in behind the Wayfarer of Chris Lloyd / David Furguson. Terry Hall had rig failure and spent some time on the lee shore before starting late along with three of Neil�s trainees.

 The Skiff inevitably moved into the lead on the water with Olivia & Alex�s 200 and Joan & Jack�s GP in the following positions. The GP pair took the Seniors Award plus first overall in the race on boat handicap while Olivia took the Crews Prize.

 Slightly further down the order were the battling GPs of Sue & AJ and Kath & Glenys. Sue just squeezed home first but had opted for the Crew Fleet allowing Kath to take the cherished Ladies Prize

 Initially it was thought that Lottie, helming Jim�s Hartley, had won the Junior Prize but, after Hazel firmly pointed out she was not in a Handicap boat, she was correctly allocated the top spot.  

 When Josh�s brand new Tera had been retrieved from an inversion near 0 all hurried ashore and into the Clubhouse to avoid being drenched from the horrific looking storm clouds which were building overhead. Lynn & David had put on a great meal and it was good to see most relaxing and chatting afterwards. Not quite the �end of term� but, with a four week gap to the next Thursday race, it certainly looked like it!

Toggle (the black flag man), thanks everyone that attended the garden party last night, and for their all help in moving boats, cutting the grass, and tidying the site ready for Bass Week. It was nice to see new faces and new members helping out.

Bass members that do not intend to sail are requested to move their boats, preferably off site, as soon as possible to ensure prime berths near the launching areas are available for�visiting sailors. Don’t forget that if they are not moved by their owners, they will be moved by enthusiastic, but weary, working party helpers…

While we are�talking of helpers, please try and make yourself available for at least some of the many tasks that need to be undertaken through the week such as

• Bar
• Clubhouse and site cleaning
• Rescue
• Race office

Last Thursday evening was a busy one on Bass. Apart from Neil�s group of trainees, twenty boats appeared for the eleventh round of the Night Jar.It was an overcast but dry evening with a fairly constant Force 2 westerly wind which again meant that the beat would be into zero. Despite Mike Fairlamb asking for a windward � leeward course as a means of keeping up with Alex Leonard�s 200, the OD chose 0-1-B-A.

With a crowded start line Alex & Olivia chose a port end start and were never headed although Joan & Jack moved into a strong second place ahead of the lasers of Tony King and Peter Whipp and the GP of Paul Bowmer with a novice crew.

The leaders were lapping in around 13 minutes and, with many others staying in touch, it was to be a 4 lap race for most. On Lap 2 a whole group of boats made for A at the same time and requests for mark room with subsequent comment was heard on the Bates!

Lottie Winfindale who was sailing strongly in her Laser was allowed to go into lap 4 but her father Peter was finished after 3 along with fellow laser helms Eric Kasiliwski, Tasha Todhunter and the L2000 of Steve Peck / Simon Smith.

Alex & Olivia were first across the line on Lap 4 but had they sufficient lead to take another first on FH? The answer was �no� with Joan & Jack taking the win. But the 200 crew lead the series from Mike & Eric.

Tony took another win on PH and leads that series. Joan & Jack were classified second in the race and Lottie finished an excellent third.

Latest results FH PH

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?..

If you were skilful enough to win any trophies last Bass Week please ensure you clean, polish, and return them to us for award at this year’s regatta. 

 Good article about our links with Swallows and Amazons by Times and Star

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

Following last weekend’s NWJTT we were pleased to receive the following note of thanks.

Many thanks for putting on a great event on Saturday with such perfect weather conditions. Please pass on my thanks to everyone who was involved in making the day a real success. I heard nothing but compliments from parents during the day….

The icing on the cake was seeing the Vulcan fly down the Lake.

Kind regards

Peter Hadfield