Concerns over fuel supplies reduced the numbers of entrants from 29 to 11 for the final open meeting of the Tinker Travellers circuit.

Light winds freshened over the weekend to a force 4 by Sunday afternoon. But spirits did not seem to be dampened by Sunday’s passing showers.

Standing in on behalf of the Commodore, Herb Telford (Official starter for the weekend) aided by Carol Thomas presented the weekends prizes. Final results

1st – David Warren
2nd – Stuart Warden
3rd – Bill James

After some close racing, the wine challenge was won by David and Lynne Lawson from Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan.

Yes, although Autumn arrived on Friday, those sailors not venturing to various open meetings enjoyed clear blue skies and warm, strong winds.

In the Flying 15s, William Carruthers and Alan Smith took the lead in the first race and held off Ian Campbell and Tony Fisher, even on numerous magnificent reaches and spinnaker legs. In the second race Ian lead from the start but on the second beat William’s boom outhaul broke and made various precarious attempts to effect a tempoary repair. In so doing Ian broke away and Paul Burnell, with Margaret Trotter, got through to second place. However, Willam managed to get back into second place but was unable to break Ian’s commanding lead.

Ginge and Jose Hodgkins seemed to wear out their opposition! – In the 1st race Wendy Lewis retired, while in the 2nd race John Sharp took a cautious route, but stayed upright and finished 2nd.

These races brought another long series to a close. Overall results;

FF MORGAN TROPHY 
PN Boat Helm          1   2   3   4   5   6  Pts 
1  3268 W CARRUTHERS DNS DNS  1   1   1   2   3 
2  3560 I CAMPBELL   DNS DNS DNS DNS  2   1   9 
3  3503 D LANCASTER  DNS DNS  2   2  DNS DNS 10 
4  3273 P BURNELL    DNS DNS DNS DNS  3   3  12 
5  3473 M MOORE      DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS OD  15 
     Points for RTD = 0   0   3   3   4   4 
     Points for DSQ = 0   0   3   3   4   4 
     Points for DNS = 6 
3 races to count

GP SPRING CUP 
PN  Boat  Helm        1   2   3   4   5   6 Pts 
 1  13176 D LAWSON    1   1   1   1  DNS DNS  4 
 2  13142 A HODGKINS  4   3   5   5   1   1   9 
 3  13013 N LEWIS     6   4   6   6  DNS DNS 22 
 4   6642 J SHARP     9   5  DNS DNS DNS  2  34 
 5  13482 J TELFORD  DNS DNS  2   2  DNS DNS 40 
 6  12329 H GODFREY   3   2  DNS DNS DNS DNS 41 
 7  69916 P SMITH    DNS DNS  4   3  DNS DNS 43 
 7  13327 MiFAIRLAMB DNS DNS  3   4  DNS DNS 43 
 9  13371 J RILEY     2  RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS 48 
10   3473 M MOORE     5   7  DNS DNS DNS DNS 48 
11 988683 J ROBERTS   8   6  DNS DNS DNS DNS 50 
12  13118 M TROTTER   7   8  DNS DNS DNS DNS 51 
13 113013 W LEWIS    DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD DNS 57 
13  13467 T KNOWLES  DNS OD  DNS DNS DNS DNS 57 
15  13161 TBA        DNS DNS DNS  7  DNS DNS 61 
15   9876 R HODGKINS DNS DNS  7  DNS DNS DNS 61 
17  11679 R HODGKINS DNS DNS DNS  8  DNS DNS 62 
Points for RTD = 10 10 8 9 3 3 
Points for DSQ = 10 10 8 9 3 3 
Points for DNS = 18 
4 races to count

Although no-one seems to know the real reason behind the name for this series (suggestions to the mailbox please) it has proved to be an important turning point for the various club championships.

FLYING FIFTEEN AT CUP

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4   5 Pts
 1    3673  S BEATTIE       1   1   1   1   1   3
 2    3560  I CAMPBELL      3   2   2   5   4   7
 3    3268  W CARRUTHERS  DNS DNS   3   2   2   7
 4    3332  W SOMERVILLE    2   4   4   6   5  10
 5    3473  M MOORE         4   3   5   4   3  10
 6    3293  I PRESTON     DNS DNS DNS   3   6  18
 7     231  M PARRY        OD DNS DNS DNS DNS  21
 8    2504  K THOMAS      DNS DNS DNS   7   7  23

          Points for RTD =  5   5   6   8   8
          Points for DSQ =  5   5   6   8   8
          Points for DNS =  9

 3 races to count

The 5 firsts achieved by Scott Beattie and John Somerville were sufficient to secure the Flying 15 Club Championship with nine races to go!

GP AT CUP

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4   5 Pts
 1   13176  D LAWSON        1   1   1   1   1   3
 2   13327  MiFAIRLAMB      3   2   3   5   2   7
 3   13113  J CRUICKSHAN    6   5   2   4   3   9
 4   13254  A GREENHALGH    4   3   5   2 DNS   9
 5   13467  T KNOWLES     DNS DNS RTD   3   4  16
 6    6642  J SHARP         9   7   6   8   5  18
 7   13482  J TELFORD       2   4 DNS DNS DNS  24
 8   13142  A HODGKINS      8 RTD DNS   6 DNS  24
 9   12682  E SMITH         7   6 DNS DNS DNS  31
10   12329  H GODFREY       5 RTD DNS DNS DNS  33
11   13201  R COY         DNS DNS DNS   9   6  33
12  169106  A SMITH       DNS DNS   4 DNS DNS  40
13  143093  P LAWSON      DNS DNS DNS DNS   7  43
14   13259  W ROBERTS     DNS DNS DNS   7 DNS  43
14   13118  M TROTTER     DNS DNS   7 DNS DNS  43
16  212324  S SPENCE      DNS   8 DNS DNS DNS  44
17   11679  R HODGKINS    RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS  47

          Points for RTD = 11  10   9  10   8
          Points for DSQ = 11  10   9  10   8
          Points for DNS = 18

 3 races to count

Consistent sailing by David and Lynne Lawson took them to first position in the GP14 Club Championship. As Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan are only a point behind, the remaining races will be closely fought (if David Lawson lets anyone get near him!)

The Ross Wear Helmsman Trophy was the target for the GP fleet. A series of four races with no discard, starts being staggered according to personal handicap.

Richard Hodgkins crewed by Mike Cowan, upset his parents on Saturday by beating them! He obviously remained a threat as his handicap was such that he had to pursue his parents around the course on Sunday morning. Failing winds was not Ginge and Jose’s excuse as Richard caught them up and made them do a 720 for not giving sufficient water at a mark! No chips for Rich (as Herb put it).

The staggered start times, as usual, caused a certain element of debate as to the level of equity of the system. Three main competitors (John Sharp, Ginge and Richard Hodgkins) had equal chance of taking the Trophy. The winds eased and changed direction just after the start and made a mockery of the staggered starts, however, the changeable winds resulted in numerous position changes throughout the race.

Another win by Eric and Alan Smith did not affect the overall results as they had only sailed two races. A second place taken by Ginge and Jose was sufficient to secure their first Trophy in their short sailing career but, of course, this meant that they had taken the glory from youngest son Richard. They realise they won’t be able to keep that state of affairs up for long. John Sharp finished third and took third overall.

The flying fifteens only sailed two races, but the changing of places in the last race kept blood pressures running high. In the end, Steve Hannah and Dave Lancaster won the series with two firsts; Bill Wheeler and Pete Nuttall were second.

The Bank Holiday weekend was described by one member as fantastic, with lots of competition. Weatherwise, the weekend started misty and breezy on the Saturday, when there were two closely competed races with bottles of wine for prizes� – The Wine Challenge – with resultts being adjusted according to personal handicap.�� The winners were David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal), followed by Tim Knowles and Philip Hodgkins (Brigham), Wyn and Sally Roberts (Clapham) and Ginge and Jose Hodgkins (also Brigham) who won their very first prize! (Jose said she’d save the bottle, but there was no mention of what she intended to do with its contents!!)

On Saturday a barbeque and social evening was held, enjoyed by all.��� Sunday saw a very light wind, a shower or two, and the first three races in a five-race series for each class of boat, the series being one of fifteen counting towards the Club Championship.

On Bank Holiday Monday the last two of the five-race series were held, with nearly twenty boats on the water enjoying the sunshine and light winds. The final placings and winners were:
The Flying Free trophy for Flying Fifteens – William Carruthers (Carlisle) and Alan Smith (Harrington).
The August trophy for Lasers – Andrew Smith (Harrington).
The Aitken Cup for GP 14s – David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal).
The Mirror Mug for Mirrors – Tim Smith (Harrington) and Jack Denwood (Carlisle).

For practice, three Toppers took part in the morning race – they enjoyed it, although Jack Denwood managed to capsize as he passed the finishing line.

All in all a very enjoyable weekend, and the weather was kind, in the daylight hours anyway!

The weather was absolutely glorious throughout the weekend. There was some wind for the sailors and lots of sun for the shore crews to enjoy. Saturday racing saw the climax to a long series of races. The flying Fifteens were out in force with seven boats competiting for the Dawson Trophy. The first race saw some excitement on the start line. Mike Moore pushed Ian Campbell over the start line and also went over himself, which then meant they both had to come back over the start line as everyone else sailed ahead to the first mark. The race was eventually won by David Lancaster (Cockermouth) and Steve Hannah (Great Boughton), with W. Carruthers (Carlisle) and Ian Smith (Harrington) second. Despite the start Ian Campbell (Cockermouth) and Tony Fisher (Carlisle) came in third. The second race saw a change in fortunes with Mike Moore and Jennifer Moore (Wesham) coming first, D Lancaster and Steve Hannah second and William Carruthers and Ian Smith third. This meant the overall results for the series were first Mike Moore, second Ian Campbell and a close third for David Lancaster. The GP14 fleet had six boats competing in the final leg of the Autumn Cup. Both races were eventually dominated by David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal), but Mike Fairlamb (Deanscales) and Mike Cowan (Maryport) were fighting all the way and came second. The GP 14 field included two young sailors, Wendy Lewis (Braithwaite) sailing with her dad Nigel and Richard Hodgkins (Brigham) sailing with Rhowen Bryce (Whitehaven). Both had very good races and were very close on the finish line finishing within a few yards of each other, Wendy Lewis just managing to stay ahead of Richard Hodgkins. The final result for the Autumn Cup was Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan first, Ginge and Jose Hodgkins second and Tim Knowles and Philip Hodgkins (Brigham) third.

Sunday was a very warm day and it was appropriate that we should be competing for the Wine Challenge. The sun and wind ensured a great turnout with 21 boats racing for the wine. Wendy Somerville(Carlisle) and Elaine Fairlamb (Deanscales) were the worthy winners with David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal) second. William Carruthers (Carlisle) and Ian Smith (Harrington) were third.

On Thursday night the crews and ladies race was held. A strong fleet took to the water in calm conditions. This was the night the crews helmed and the helms crewed � leading to some fun on the water, �starboard� was called many times as the �learner� helms sailed a great course. The winner of the ladies race was Wendy Lewis (Braithwaite) and the crew�s race was won by Philip Hodgkins (Brigham). Well done to both of these 14 year olds.

After a wet morning’s sailing, there was a hint of blue skies for the afternoon’s round the lake pennat race in aid of the RNLI. However, with a westerly force 3 blowing there was every likelihood of some interesting wind shifts after passing through Scarness.

William Carruthers and Alan Smith in a Flying 15 were clear ahead at the first mark and used their own gust machine (or so the Sailing Secretary reckoned) to reach the bottom end of the lake in just 33 minutes, some 8 minutes ahead of the next boat. In their wake they left a mixed bag of fortunes; Miles Middleton in his Flying 15 held a good second position near St Bega’s church to find himself chasing lasers and GP14s by the time he reached the 2nd mark. Similarly, John Sharp worked through to lead the rest of the GP14s for a while.

Having to sail to marks in the shade of the hills resulted in many suffering major unpredictable windshifts on their way back up the lake. William Carruthers after losing some of the advantage gained on the outward leg, managed to regain some ground to finish 9 minutes ahead of Andrew Smith in a laser after 1� hours sailing.

Overall results were calculated on a personal handicap basis
1st William Carruthers and Alan Smith (FF)
2nd Phil Smith (Laser)
3rd Andrew Smith (Laser)

The morning races concluded some long series. The overall winners are listed below
F15 Blencathra Trophy – William Carruthers and Alan Smith
Laser Dodd Trophy – Andrew Smith
GP14 Mustard Pot – Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan

Another success for the laser fleet occurred when Mark Somerville won this year’s Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy held at Ullswater. Robin Dawson and Ian McPherson, not far behind, finished 7th and 8th respectively. Well done!

Last weekend saw Lasers, Enterprises and Mirrors converging on the lake for some Open Meetings. In addition, the Enterprises were sailing for their North West Area Championship.

Desperately fluky winds on Saturday and most of Sunday taxed ‘light air’ skills to the limit, the wind only picking up for the last race. Leads changed frequently and there were some nailbiting contests.

Enterprise North West Area champions are Chris and Al Fry from Hallamshire with Nick Miller and Innes Wilkinson from Winsford Flash second. Third were Martin Honnor and Simon Haighton, Hallamshire. The home club took the first five places in the Laser Open with Pete Lawson the winner. Second was Andy Smith and third, Mark Somerville.

With the Mirrors it was the visitors who scored with Gareth Hughes and Neil Evans from Hollingworth coming home ahead of Robert Phillips and Thomas Partington from Hollingworth Lake SC. Third were Iwan and Nia Fletcher from Bass. In this class both Iwan and Nia together with Tim and Rob Smith (7th) were all competing in their first Open.

Photos from the open meeting.

This weekend saw a busy time for sailors on Bassenthwaite Lake. Saturday saw the continuation of the Max Joule Memorial Trophy, a long series of eight races that is nearing its climax. The blustery winds led to exciting racing for all concerned. The first race proved very eventful, the Commodore, Miles Middleton who was leading, lost his crew overboard. Good job Mike Cowan could swim! Miles eventually finished 5^th in that race. Hugh Godfrey and Rhonwen Bryce won the race in a GP14. They bravely flew the spinnaker where others didn�t dare for the blustery conditions. Andy Smith on a Laser won the 2nd race � even without the battens in his sail.

After a communal barbecue on Saturday evening a test was set to determine the appropriateness of musical chairs. The continuing competitiveness and enthusiasm of the Commodore to win even off the water left some of those taking part feeling rather sore the following morning! – perhaps the new guidelines were prepared after some similar events elsewhere. This was all followed by some mysterious late night scooter riding which left Andy Smith resting for the rest of the weekend due to his scooter accident.

Sunday and Monday saw Club Championship sailing. The conditions both days ensured very thrilling racing. The Flying Fifteen fleet were competing for the Ullock Mug. Scott Beattie and John Somerville were the clear winners, with William Carruthers and Alan Smith 2^nd. The GP14 fleet were competing for the Macmillan cup. There was some thrilling racing in all five races and a close result. Julian and Jane Cruickshank were 1st, with Hugh Godfrey and Rhonwen Bryce 2^nd. A notable GP14 finisher on Saturday was Richard Hodgkins who at 12 is the youngest GP14 helm this year. Unfortunately an untimely capsize lead him to retire from the rest of the races. It also meant that his crew for the day Mike Cowan went swimming again. �Don’t worry Mike, Mike Fairlamb will be back soon. The Lasers were competing for the Easter Trophy. Mark Somerville was the clear winner, with Robin Dawson 2^nd.