With less than a week until the longest day, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the temperature has improved and the sun is shining. Add a good force 4 from the SW and you have near perfect conditions for Saturday racing.

The fleet was somewhat cautious for the first start with the first boat taking 8 secs to cross the line! The wind freshened as the race progressed, but there were only a couple of capsizes. Fortunes were dependent on which side the the beat was chosen, with the right hand side proving to be more beneficial. On handicap to was to be Ant/Jo in a Vision, on their first outing for a while, that took the honours by just 7 secs from Hugh in a Vareo.

The rain held off, and the wind eased considerably for the next race, and the first four boats finished within 50 secs of each other. This time Val/Ken in their GP took the honours 13 secs ahead of Ant/Jo.

Latest MG results

Sunday was unexpectedly different to Saturday, and the forecast. There seemed to be a permanent threat of rain, and although there were occasional spots of rain, that was to be as bad as it would get. The wind was lighter than expected, and as it swung to and fro around Sale Fell, there were occasional calmer patches to contend with.

In the GPs there was an unexpected contender as AJ had planned to race at Windermere but en route Sue realised her sailing gear was still at Bass! Perhaps his early start might explain why Val/Ken slipped away from him?

In the Handicap fleet Toggle in his Solo took the honours just a few secs ahead of Stan, with Angus/Mike in a F15 3rd.

There was some healthy competition in the Slow Handicap fleet with three Teras in contention. However, Andy/Lily in a Mirror, having sailed an extra lap in lighter winds, won on handicap with Katia 2nd followed by Erin and Poppy.

Latest BL results

The afternoon race was the Jubilee Sailing Trust Pennant, so the fleet were sent as far as mark 11 in a good southerly, unfortunately the swinging wind continued and Sale Fell caused more calm patches to shake up the positions, and slow down proceedings, as it took 80 mins for the first boat, Angus/Mike to return. On Handicap, Val/Ken were 1st, AJ/Sue 2nd, and Angus 3rd.

Jubilee Sailing Trust results

Meanwhile the Teras had a race in the bay – Katia led the way, with Erin 2nd, and Poppy a close 3rd.

After a miserably wet Saturday, the clouds parted for some Sunday sunshine, and force 3 from the SW.

A failure to closely watch the flags had only Paul Gannon on the handicap fleet start line, with other stragglers some minutes behind! There were several capsizes, and a couple of subsequent retirements. On handicap Paul came a close 2nd to Rich Critchley in a Solo. Despite not knowing the course, and almost being misguided by Neil, Rich won the afternoon race as well with Hugh 2nd. Neil had been lying 2nd to Hugh, but rounded mark A incorrectly, trying to call Hugh back. It was only when Tim said he should have rounded it to port that he returned, and then capsized, losing two places in the process! Ethan capsized his RS100 with his kite up which he struggled to release the halyard. When he did eventually right the boat, he was shattered and called it a day.

After being OCS at the GP Scottish championships last weekend, AJ was somewhat more cautious when it came to the GP start being a couple of minutes late! He did get it right after lunch but still finished up with two 3rds behind Mike/Eric and Val/Ken.

Katia was in a Tera, with dad Andy in a Mirror guiding her round the course. Despite capsizing, she recovered her boat, carried on to finish, and earning a well deserved 1st place. In the afternoon she came 2nd to John in a Pico, but she presently leads the series.

Latest BL results

The weekend started with this year’s Push the Boat Out open day which was well attended by approx 100 visitors, and gave many of them the opportunity to take to the water in the best of the day’s weather.

There were events running throughout the day including mini olympics, hula hooping, and rock painting.

Racing took place in the afternoon. Although the wind backed through the afternoon, the beats were maintained but there were various light areas to test helms.

In the F15s, Mike/Kayla and Neil/Judith each had a 1st and 2nd. Dave/Lynn took two wins from Val/Ken in the GPs. The Handicap fleet had wins for Zefer in a Laser and Scumper in RS100, though Stan in his Solo split the pair in the last race.

Latest MG etc results

Sunday was overcast, showery, some of which were heavy, with a force 4-5 and occasional strong squalls passing through. Crews seemed reluctant to venture out, but 15 boats made it to the start, though some did capsize on their way out. There were several capsizes throughout the day, and combined with the windy conditions, numbers sailing declined as the day went on.

It was good to see three juniors racing, for one race at least. Hannah turtled her Tera soon after the start, but once up again, she battled on to complete the race which was won by Andy/Lily in their Mirror, and leads the series. Mike/Kayla won the 1st race, but Simon/Jon turned out for the afternoon races, and won them both. With three races to count, Mike is the overnight leader.

Dave/Lynn took another couple of wins, but Mike/Ken as their only competition capsizing in the second race, there were no takers in the final race of the day. In the Handicap fleet, Bean/Na won the 1st race in their RS200 but didn’t race after lunch. Scumper and Zefer opted to have a blast in Lasers rather than their RS400. Joe, with a Radial rig, leads the series with a 1st and two 2nds, from Scumper with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

The wind eased by Monday morning for the final two races, and fortunately the forecast rain held off.

There was a strong fleet of Mirrors and Teras again, and they enjoyed some competitive racing (especially between the Smith brothers) with Bean/Oliver taking the honours. Bean didn’t race the final race which was won by Andy/Lily who won the Orsova Cup.

Dave/Lynn had new competition with Val/Ken who took an early lead but slipped back again so Dave/Lynn secured two more wins and the Commodore’s Prize.

No Flying 15s raced so Mike kept the lead and won the Mellor Mug.

In the Handicap fleet, the final race had three boats OCS but Izzy, who was helming for a change, didn’t return, or get a finish horn. In the freshening wind, Banter had Oscar crewing in place of Izzy, but survived without capsizing, not that the same can be said for Zefer who had a brief capsize on the final lap. Scumper and Zefer were again vying for positions, each winning a race. Zefer had another 2nd, and Scumper a 3rd, winning Zefer the Isel Cup.

Final Mellor Mug results

.

Wall to wall sunshine, and a stronger than expected NW wind, made for good sailing conditions on Saturday. As last week, the wind was regularly swinging to keep helms on their toes. Frustratingly, just as the start sequence got underway, the wind dropped, but fortunately, returned before the start.

There were 11 boats over two fleets. Dave/Lynn won both races in the GPs, with Val/Ken 2nd. In the Handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth in a Merlin led the fleet from Hugh in a Vareo, and Tog/Joanie in a RS200 in both races, but, on handicap, Hugh won both races by about 30 secs, with Steve 2nd in the first race, and Tony in a Solo 2nd in the next race despite having to return for being OCS at the start.

Latest MG series results

Sunday was blessed with more sunshine but the wind forecast was not good. Although the turbines at Bothel were not moving at all, the lake had ripples to the north and south of the bay with a large calm patch in between! Several sailors were getting itchy feet hanging around, so despite AJ’s wish to have an early lunch, racing did get underway belatedly when the NW breeze filled in a bit. With the risk of a sea breeze filling in, and the wind backing more to the SW, a course was set with two potential beats (3-2, and 4-B). The wind filled in as the race went on, and there were some big shifts to contend with. AJ the first lap AJ was had a good 2nd, but it all went to pot thereafter and he slipped back to 4th. Dave/Lynn too the honours, with Joan/Jack 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, Phil/Oliver took 1st place in a RS200 from Mike in his Streaker.

Latest BL Series results

The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy pennant race. Fearing the wind may do its worst beyond Scarness, the fleet were just sent as far as 10 and then back up. As it turned out, they had a good spinnaker leg down, and a fetch back up, with little in the way of painful down draughts to contend with. The GPs were the strongest fleet taking the first three places, led by Dave/Lyn then Val/Ken in the best winds of the weekend.

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results

Sandra’s Salver latest results

Saturday started off with some sail training for the juniors before racing got underway for the Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy, a handicap series for all fleets, and the start of the three day Catapult Open for which there are eight entrants. The northerly wind was bitterly cold, and a lot lighter than forecast, with a hint of rain.

In the first race the the wind eased as the fleets started the second lap, so the OD raced up the course to stop the race, but it was another half hour before all boats finished. Scumper/Zefer in their replacement RS400 were first to finish, and won on Handicap with Commodore Naomi in a Mirror taking 2nd place, cheered on by son Oliver in the Committee boat.

The wind filled in again and held for the next race. Scumper led the fleet again, but with Steve/Ruth in a Merlin on his tail, they were close enough to win on handicap, with Dave/Lynn in a GP 2nd. Though Scumper and Dave both had 5 points, the tie was broken in Scumper’s favour as he had won the first race.

Final results Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy

Racing was postponed for a short while on Sunday morning due to several calm patches across the lake. The wind filled in enough to start proceedings by 12.30. The wind continually varied in strength, and swung, throughout the day. There were opportunities to plane on some reaches occasionally, but they were the exception, and had to be enjoyed/taken advantage whenever possible.

The varied conditions did mix some positions up, as did five handicap boats being OCS in the 2nd race, of which only three returned. A challenging days racing, with the final two races tomorrow, resulted in the following overnight leaders – Simon/Jon in the F15s, Dave/Lynn in GPs, Robin/Erin in Handicap, Andy in Slow Handicap

The evening’s entertainment started with a pie and pea supper followed by a race night.

Monday’s forecast was not at all encouraging in terms of there being sufficient wind to sail, a light wind across the lake was enough to get the fleets on the water and racing underway. The Catapult fleet were first on the water, and rather than make them wait for club boats, a course was set and their race started. By the time club racing started the wind had swung as it strengthened a little, but didn’t swing back until the final lap, so they had to put up with fetches instead of beats for a while.

Despite having to return for being over the line at the Slow Handicap start, Bean/Oliver quickly caught up lost ground to take the lead and win the race from brother Andy/Lily.

During the lunch break there was a prize giving for the Catapult Open which was won by Gareth Ede, with John Terry 2nd. Gareth’s father Stuart won on personal handicap basis.

The final club race was a bit of a formality in that winners of each fleet had already been determined after four races. However, it didn’t stop the Smith brotherly rivalry in the Slow Handicap fleet, as they endured some close racing, including trying to luff each other way off course. Andy took the lead at the final mark to reinforce his lead in the series.

In the GPs, AJ tried his hardest to squeeze Mike/Eric the wrong side of the Bates at the start, only to sail himself between the Bates and the inner distance mark, snagging on and snapping its mooring warp! Needless to say, by the time he had corrected his error, Mike was well up the beat!

Tog had a flying start in the Handicap fleet as he tacked onto port and sail up the right hand side of the course only for the wind to strengthen on the left hand side, favouring the rest of the fleet! Emma’s tiller extension broke away with half a lap to go, but she persevered to finish.

The final winners were as overnight, Simon/Jon won the F15 Jak Pot, Dave/Lynn the GP Lyne Tankard, Robin/Erin the May Holiday Trophy, and Andy/Lily the Peel Pot.

Final� JP results

The long bank holiday break started on Friday and focussed on getting plenty of kids on the water on both Friday and Saturday, especially as there was plenty of sunshine with light winds.

Despite mixed winds earlier in the day, the wind settled to the NW just in time for Saturday’s racing for the fleet of 26 boats. Keith Thomas seized the opportunity to sail when Sally offered her services; shame he didn’t quite get the spinnaker rigged properly before the first race!

Halfway through the second race the wind started to veer to the north, and then it faded for half an hour before filling in from the west, and consequently the handicap results were put into disarray somewhat.

Mike/Kayla won both races from Ian/Lezliann in the F15s, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn had two 1sts from Joan/Jack and AJ/Sue� who each had a 2nd and a 3rd. Bean/Oliver won the first slow handicap race with Paul Allen 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, the Solos of John Reekie and Stan Barton led the first race, while Alex/Caroline in a RS400 won with Mik in a Mirror 2nd.

Latest MG Series results

In the evening there was an outdoor bring and eat in the back field followed by a game of rounders!

Easter Sunday started with and Easter egg hunt for the kids, and the weather delivered more sunshine and stronger winds from the west for the start of the weekend series of which three races would be sailed. Shortly after the start of the morning race the wind veered a little towards the north, causing the beat to be very one sided, and one of the tight reaches into a fetch which made it very difficult to pass other boats.

In the strong fleet of seven F15s Simon/Jon took the lead and held on to it ahead of Scumper/Zefer. Dave/Lynn took another win with Joan/Jack 2nd. Rich Critchley won the Handicap race in a Solo, with Steve/Ruth 2nd. In the Slow Handicap fleet, more junior sailors were encouraged to race increasing the fleet to nine boats with Optimists, extra Mirrors, a Tera and a Topper, but it was Rob/Elizabeth Cook that took the honours.

After lunch the wind was reinforced a little with a sea breeze for the final two, somewhat eventful, races of the day.

• Simon/Jon were premature starters
• Jonathan/Henry christened their RS200 with a capsize
• Mike/Kayla had to do turns for Banter
• Dave/Lynn gave the GP fleet a head start (but still went on to win!)
• Emma got her course muddled and sailed with the Slow Handicap (in a Streaker)
• Paul/Jude were sailed into the shadows of Sale Fell by some F15s
• Mik raced without the aid of a kicking strap

Overnight leaders are Simon in the F15s, Dave in the GPs, Hugh in the Handicap, and Rob in the Slow Handicap

Monday was forecast to have the best sailing wind of the weekend, and on arrival there was a good southerly blowing which had various crews digging out their dry suits for a potential sail down the lake.

The OD opted to play it safe for the morning race and set a beat to 8. Soon after the start sequence commenced the wind was easing, so it was a slow first beat for everyone, but it did fill in again only to ease again after the F15s started the next lap. The split wind gave Scumper/Zefer a chance to go the opposite side of the beat to leaders Simon/Jon, and they took the lead when the wind caught them first.

As far as the F15s were concerned, there was everything to sail for in the final race which is partially why there was a port/starboard incident on the start line causing both Simon and Scumper to be doing turns! Simon ended up doing another set of turns for colliding with Ian. By the windward mark Mike/Kayla were in the lead, but Simon was ahead of Scumper, and stayed there to the end to win the series on count back.

The Slow Handicap fleet sailed a a smaller course that was shortened just before the other fleets rounded zero, though some of the other boats thought it was their finish too!

The afternoon winds held, and there were some good reaches to be enjoyed. A great way to finish the long weekend.

Some consistent sailing in the other fleets had wins in both races for Hugh in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPs, and Andy/Lily in the Slow Handicap, and they all won their series trophies.

Final Easter Series results

Don’t forget that Thursday evening Night Jar series starts this week at 19:15 on 25th April. Catering will be available as usual. If you’re able to cater one evening please contact Alan Jones.

Sun and a cool northerly breeze kept a fleet of 16 boats sailing for the first two races in the Barf Trophy and Spring Cup long series.

At the front of the fleet, Alex/Caroline in an RS400 and Steve/Ruth in a Merlin, had some close racing, while Ian/LezliAnn in a F15 were able to keep in the mix on handicap. Some of the beats proved to be a bit shifty and fluky to keep helms on their toes, but no one has yet claimed the first capsize of the season!

Steve won both races on handicap, with Ian 2nd in the first race and Alex 2nd in the second race, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn won both races with Mike/Eric taking 2nd place.

Latest results

Sunday was overcast but with a stronger NE breeze, a direction which results in the shoreline near Armathwaite Hall creating light shifty airs. Fortunately there were no major positions lost to such challenging conditions, though treasure Mike Cave did claim the badge for the first capsize of the season. AJ/Sue got off to a flying start and were first to the windward mark, but it was not to last as Dave/Lynn pulled through to the lead taking the first win in the Mustard Pot with AJ 2nd. In the Handicap fleet, Stan in his Solo earned his first win of the season head of Robin/Erin in an RS200 in the Dodd Trophy.

Latest results

The afternoon race was in aid of the Eric Twiname Trust, and typically sailed around the lake. With mark 11 hastily laid over the lunch break, at least the race would take the fleet around most of the lake. An incident just after the start resulted in three boats forming a raft; Neil Garrison accepted fault and did a 720. Dave/Lynn in their GP took an early lead but were passed by the Merlin and F15 on the next beat. The NE breeze looked promising for the next leg, a long reach from 3 to 11, and Steve/Ruth in the Merlin started to pull out a good lead as they sailed out of the Armathwaite shore shadow, however, as they approached the narrows, the wind quickly dropped with what turned out to be an opposing southerly wind. The conditions proved flukey and challenging for more than half an hour until the fleet reached the southerly breeze. With a risk of the return route being equally challenging, the race was shortened at mark 11. Although Steve had broken free from the rest of the fleet again, the bunching around Scarness Bay had done him no favours, and it was Dave that won on handicap, with Joe 2nd and Steve 4th. Lynn takes the lead in Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew in the pennant races

Eric Twiname Trust Pennant results
Sandra’s Salver latest

September is drawing to a close, and the temperature dipping, but the sun shone for an afternoon of medium winds to power the fleets around the course. With a couple of incidents before the start Nigel didn’t actually make it over the start line… First of all Paul got his Laser’s mainsheet caught around the bow of Nigel’s GP, causing Paul to capsize, and then be towed backwards! Then, just before the start Nigel capsized, righted the boat and capsized again getting the mast stuck in the mud, so it was all over before he started. Despite this, Nigel’s overall results were sufficient to beat Val/Ken, who won both races,� by a couple of points to win the Autumn Cup.�

In the F15s Mike/Kayla took an early lead from Ian/Tim who sailed well on the run to take the lead for a while, but Mike broke back through on the following beat, and held it through to the finish. The finishing order was the same in the second race. Mike/Kayla’s results gave them a clean sweep to win the Dawson Trophy, with Ian/Lezli-Ann 2nd.

After some soul searching, Joe was pleased to have opted for his Radial sail in the blustery conditions. He led the handicap fleet, winning on handicap from Tog and Paul Gannon, with the same results in the second race. This maintained Joe’s clear lead in the Skiddaw Trophy, with Paul 2nd.

With no racing in the slow handicap fleet, Mik kept his lead to win the MT Bates Trophy.

Final results

Please note that Sunday’s racing will start at 11.30 am as usual, rather than� 14.30 hrs as incorrectly stated in the handbook

Sunday’s showery start put Mike F off preparing his boat for a short while until it stopped! At the start he held on to his lay line, AJ/Sue were hoping a gap would amazingly appear, it didn’t, so they squeezed between the starboard start pin and the Bates, got caught on the anchor warp and had to re-round, giving the rest of the fleet a 75 sec head start!

Jeff, with novice crew Hannah, were caught out by a gust after unravelling a wine glass twist in their gennaker. After taking a while to extract their mast from the mud, they made an early trip back to shore. John/Tim had gear problems and had to retire too.

Mike/Kayla led the fleet and built up a 4 min lead on Val/Ken which was cut back to just 15 secs when the handicap was applied. As the race was part of the two race Fleet Challenge, it meant all was to race for in the afternoon race.�

The second race started without incident, but AJ/Sue soon realised that they had rigged the genoa incorrectly wrapping the halyard around the spinnaker halyard, so they cut their losses, and retired. Mike built up a bigger lead this time, securing another 1st place to win the Fleet Challenge, with Val 2nd.

Final results