Bassenthwaite is pleased to be hosting the Mirror Spring Championship this weekend. Unfortunately storm Dave decided to gatecrash the event, so racing was brought forward to Noon with the expectation that at least some races could be sailed before the winds picked up.
As forewarned, the fleet was too eager at the start so there was a general recall on the first start and the U flag was immediately introduced, with everyone being well behaved thereafter. Just after the first start the wind picked up, and almost half the fleet immediately headed ashore. A few more retired after a gust flattened three boats part way up the first beat. The strong winds continued throughout the race, but there wasn’t any nasty squalls.
James/Meris Date from Burghfield took the honours, with Will/Izzy Crocker from North Lincs 2nd, and Phil/Lucy Smith from Bass 3rd.
The OD gave finishers the option as to whether they wanted another race, and as there was only one descenter, race two was held shortly after.
With the wind picking up, it veered slightly causing it to come round, and over, Sale Fell, casting a bit of a shadow over the course, so the boats started the beat by reaching to the windward mark before briefly hitting the shadow, and picking up the southerly. This time there were a few gusts, one of which caught out the two leading boats.
With just five finishers, Andy/Olivia Tunicliffe from Bass were 1st, James/Meris 2nd, and Phil/Lucy 3rd.
Although conditions still seemed sailable, the wind was continuing to increase in phases, so it was decided to postpone racing for the rest of the day, and no club racing was held.
James/Meris take the overnight lead, with Phil/Lucy 2nd.
Storm Dave kicked in for a good 12 hours, with challenging conditions for those in tents, as well as those in caravans/motorhomes, but it passed through with a forecast of force 5 and gusting! The Mirrors opted to postpone racing until Monday, but a select few club sailors were keen enough to try a race, so they all sailed in the handicap fleet.
The day started with a need to lower the main flagpole as the flags that remained up overnight had tangled themselves on the halyards and refused to move.
Improved weather had the full complement of the Mirror fleet starting earlier than usual and taking advantage of another southerly, though this time F2-3. Two 1sts by Phil/Lucy gave them an unasailable lead in the championship ahead of James/Meris. Some mixed results for others created opportunities to move up the fleet, with Andy/Olivia securing 3rd, and Will/Izzy slipping back to 4th.
In the club racing there was an excellent turnout of over 30 boats, and they sailed two races back to back, which, after a long weekend, proved to be enough and there were no takers after the lunch break.
Oscar/Rory won the asymmetric fleet in the Feva, with dad Phil/Hannah 2nd. In the F15s Robbie D/Toggle had two 1sts to win the Easterly trophy with Rob Mountain 2nd. Dave/Lynn were back on form winning the Bass Tankard with Val/Ken 2nd in the GP fleet. In the handicap fleet Artur had two 1sts as well to win the Easter trophy. William Clark in his Tera secured two 1sts also to win the Weekend A prize with Robyn 2nd.
Photos (C) Nick Smith
