The forecast of wild wind for the weekend may have been off putting but it didn’t stop the training course getting under way. Hopefully the heavy downpours during the morning didn’t dampen the trainees spirits or enthusiasm!

By the time racing started, the rain showers had passed through, but there was still a strong breeze to power the fleet of eight boats around the course. As the gusts and squalls passed through there were exciting reaches and various capsizes by all boats in the handicap fleet, as well as broaches in the F15 fleet. With JC as OD, many were surprised at the normality and quality of his courses. No doubt he will revert to his usual range of spinnaker free courses next time!

By winning both races, with Banter 2nd, Scumper leads the handicap series, and similarly Mike/Kayla lead the F15 series after adding two wins to their tally; Ian/Lezli-Ann and Tim/Ian each shared a 2nd and 3rd. After the first race Lezli-Ann did comment it was not a day for the ratchets not to be on – we assume she rectified this before the next race…

Latest results

Imagine being in a fleet of 180 boats at an Inland Championship. Where would you expect to finish? Could you have done as well as Ethan Dawson who finished a very commendable 85th at the Topper Inlands held at Grafham over the weekend?

Well done Ethan!

The sociable social secretary broke from tradition and arranged a walk up Skiddaw come rain or shine. Unfortunately the weather was not the latter!

The group did make it to the top after 1hr 24mins and hope to back at the club in time for sailing…

Ethan Dawson has been selected to represent the West Zone at the Eric Twiname Championships held at Rutland 11/12 May 2013, a mere 21 years after his dad Robin, Commodore Andy and Vice Commodore Mark were selected for the same event!

Well done Ethan

The Bass Week brochure has been printed and should arrive on past entrants doorsteps in the next few days.

Take advantage of the substantial discounts by entering before the first deadline of 15 June. This year you can save on postage by entering online and paying by bank transfer or PayPal. Please note that it will take a few days to verify bank transfers.

We look forward to meeting, greeting, beating (hopefully!) and entertaining you all again.

In the social diary we have an ‘interesting talk’ following the bring and eat on Saturday 4th May, however, the person Claire, our social secretary, was hoping to do this can no longer make it.

If you have something you want to talk about which will interest people, or if you know someone who could do it, please get in touch with Claire,

The day started overcast with a light breeze from the East. By the time racing was underway the breeze was fading, so much so that the phantom wood choppers turned round, went ashore, and chopped some more wood!

Those that kept racing endured the mirror like conditions and managed to complete one lap before heading ashore for lunch.

The big question was whether the wind would fill in before racing was abandoned for the day… After racing was abandoned, not unexpectedly, various zephyrs did pass through, but they soon disappeared proving the right decision was made.

Latest Results

The stormy conditions that is!

For those that were getting a head start for the new season and taken their boats to the club, some boat covers are off and are not tied down.

Owners of boats may need to go down and check their boats, especially with the forecast of more strong winds for the weekend.

Of course, you could get prepared and go sailing!

It all starts Sunday.

You may have noticed that the sailing programme has been uploaded to DutyMan, and those with allocated duties will have received notification. This all leads to the start of the 2013 sailing season which is so nearly upon us.

There is a rigging and tuning day on Sat 23 March, and the first race on Sun 24 March. Handbooks will be winging there way to your doorsteps in the next few days.

Time to dust down the boat cover, take the boat out of storage, and get it ready for another season.

See you there!