While the rest of the country enjoyed more sunshine, the lake was cloud covered all afternoon, though there was no sign of showers that were evident just a matter of miles away. There was a promising southerly force 2 breeze when the start line was set, but the risk of a swing to the south west came to fruition much sooner than expected when it affected boats on the first beat! The Sale Fell effect continued throughout the race causing holes in the wind alongside large shifts.

It seems that some of the later starters were able to benefit from the major shifts/changeable conditions. Neil Garrison in an Enterprise, started on the starboard end, took advantage of the lift from the SW and went on to take the lead, finishing a matter of seconds ahead of Joe on the finish line. In the GPs, Nigel/Glenys had to restart after being OCS giving Paul/Vicky a head start. That order is not one that many would expect to change but Nigel managed to reverse it! Mik took the honours in the Mirrors ahead of Paul/Evelyn, and leads the series.

With the wind ‘more’ settled in the SW, the results of the second race were more as expected with Paul winning the GPs (though Nigel leads the series), and Joe the Handicap fleet, strengthening his lead in the series.

Latest results

Sunday’s weather didn’t offer the wall to wall sunshine that other parts of the country enjoyed, but there was a southerly breeze which picked up to force 2-3 just before racing started to offer some champagne sailing conditions!

It is clear that very few sailors had read the handbook to determine the format of the morning’s pursuit race, and of the two that did, Mik opted out of racing with the wind picking up, so the first start time had no takers. The next start for most of those racing would be 11 mins later, but with three Laser Radials lining up there was a Laser that thought it was their start too! Calling back the Laser confused the GP that should have started with the Radials… Last year’s winners of the race Mike/Kayla knew the format, started at the correct time, and went on to win! Their win wasn’t straightforward though, having had a contretemps with Neil regarding water at a mark, and they ended up doing a 720. Perhaps miracles do happen? What a morning…

Celebrity Glass final results

The afternoon race was the Banana Stakes pennant sailed around the lake which is, of course, where Hugh ‘Round the Lake’ Godfrey sent the fleet of four boats. The beat took Mike/Kayla 40 mins, and a further 30 mins to get back to the finish. His closest competition was Neil Garrison who failed to finish correctly due to rounding the finish mark the wrong way. There was similar confusion with the others but it was Paul Gannon that was next to finish correctly, finishing 2nd on handicap to Mike/Kayla.

Banana Stakes final results

The race counts towards Sandra’s Salver for female crews. Kayla being the only crew, and female, strengthened her lead in the series

Sandra’s Salver latest results

Congratulations go to Andy and Phil on winning the Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond this weekend, and secured the 2018 GP14 super series as well.

The long weekend of activities started on a showery Friday when there was a splash day for junior sailors to have organised fun messing around in boats.

The rain showers had passed through by Friday evening, and the good weather continued through Saturday, although the temperature had noticeably dropped. There was a good turnout of almost thirty boats sailing in Saturday’s races with shifty, variable winds.�

There was a couple of rare husband and wife partnerships in the RS400s with Scumper/Kirstie and Banter/Emma racing. The shifting winds caused a few capsizes. Ant/Jo tried to demonstrate a dry capsize technique but failed miserably when their boat flipped straight over again and they were both dumped in the lake.

Latest results

The Hunter’s held their charity curry night in aid of Super Sam Brain Tumour Charity, and was followed by a bingo evening from which the proceeds were donated too, raising a total of �555

Sunday was wet and windy, with white horses and waves dampening everyone’s enthusiasm for racing. After an initial postponement, racing was later cancelled for the day.

Monday’s forecast was for stronger, and gustier winds, but it was not to be. Having swung to the west, the winds were variable in strength, gusty and shifty, but proved to be sailable, and some took the precaution of of using smaller radial rigs, or even changed fleet to sail a Topper!

Nigel and Glenys were up to their old tricks and practising their capsize techniques, including Glenys falling out after successfully righting the boat, but they weren’t the only casualty of the day as Val and Ken, Hugh, Banter, and others, were caught out by the gusts/shifts as well.

Dave/Lynn won both races and the Aitken Cup ahead of Val/Ken in the GPs, while Bean/Naomi won the 1st handicap race in their RS200, and Scumper the 2nd in his RS100 which was enough to beat Zefer in his Laser Radial who had two 2nds. There was no racing in the F15s, or Mirror/Topper fleets.

Final results

There may have been a few showers through the week, but the lake and grounds show little sign of benefitting from them, with the lake at its lowest for many years. There was no rain on Saturday, and the sun broke through the clouds every now and again too.

The F1-2 SW wind strengthened throughout the afternoon more consistently towards F2, and although it was regularly swinging, it veered more to the W as the afternoon went on. In the first race this caused the beat to be a bit one sided, but the shifts still proved to challenging, especially for anyone on the wrong side of the shift/curving wind!

Nigel/Glenys were on the best lay line in the GP start, and gave AJ/Sue good warning that there was no room. AJ called their bluff, but didn’t manage to keep out of the way and had to do two turns (although he initially seemed to lose count all too quickly!). Nigel� wasn’t able to hold his lead, which he lost to Mike/Eric. Mike won the 2nd race as well, with AJ 2nd.

In the F15s, Ian/Lezli-Ann took the initial lead in both races, but the strengthening wind conditions suited Mike/Kayla, taking two wins, while Neil, with sister Liz crewing, got two 2nds.

Steve/Ruth in their Merlin pulled out a good lead in both races, but on handicap lost out to Tony in a Solo in race 1, and Joe in a Laser in race 2.

The Mirrors/Toppers were pushing the start line in race 2, with the Simpson brothers in a Mirror, and visitor Oliver in a Topper, both being OCS and had to return. Bean/Oliver won both races.

Sunday’s wind should have been stronger than Saturday, but it wasn’t to be, and there were light patches from time to time, and little sign of the sun.

With just two F15s racing, Mike/Kayla took no chances and covered Ian/Lezli-Ann whenever they could. Although this gave them wins in races 3 and 5, winning them the series Ian did manage to break cover a couple of times in race 4, and went on to win it, and finishing 2nd overall.

There was some close racing in the GPs in race 3, with AJ nipping into 2nd place ahead of Val/Ken on the final beat, but the series was won by Mike/Eric a clean sweep of with five wins, and AJ/Sue 2nd.

The lighter conditions proved challenging for Steve/Ruth in their Merlin, but they did finish the day with a 1st and 2nd, finishing 2nd overall behind Joe in his Laser who added two 1sts to his Saturday results.

Bean/Oliver finished the day with a couple of wins, and the series trophy, helped by squeezing others off the line in the first race. Mik was 2nd overall.

Final results

Former rescue driver Chris Hunt too to the water in his RS400, and while getting to grips with it became the only boat to capsize. James was keen to rush to his rescue, if only to mock and perhaps take photos…

On Saturday Neil Garrison won a Laser open meeting at South Shields partly after taking advantage of 180 degree wind shift that occurred at a time that suited him, but stopped others in their tracks as they lost the wind altogether!

If anyone is interested in taking part in this year’s 24 race at Southport contact Neil Garrison so that he can gauge interest and help determine whether we should enter the event this year.

The lake was surprisingly calmer than forecast on Saturday, though started off a little drizzly, so there were a few takers for the start of the weekend series.

The wind and gusts did pick up a little over the course of the afternoon to give some good planing conditions. The sudden wind shifts proved to be testing, and there were a couple of capsizes.

Scumper pulled out a good lead in his RS100, winning on handicap and, after finishing, followed son Matthew, sailing a Tera, round his course, but it wasn’t sufficient to beat Phil/Oliver who won the slow handicap race. The second handicap race was won by Joe in his Laser (perhaps he wished he had used his Radial rig after all!)

Dave/Lynn won both GP races with Mike/Eric 2nd.

Well done to some of Ant’s new proteges who chose to sail their first race – Matthew Collantine was crewing for Ant in a Vision, and they are lying in 2nd place overnight, while Roger Price/Chris Wheeler in another Vision, completed the first race, but capsized before starting the next race.

Sunday was dry, bright with mixed winds. Four fleets took to the water and enjoyed good racing with occasional planing conditions, but various gusts and major shifts resulted in a few capsizes. Joanie says it was her fault that she and Toggle capsized, but did he tell her to say that?! In the first race Mike/Kayla broke through to the lead in the F15s at the end of the 2nd beat, and took the win ahead of Neil/Rory. However, Neil took the next two races to win the Ullock Mug. In the Handicap fleet Scumper and Zefer were sharing the top positions, but Scumper had the edge taking three 1sts to win the Grisedale Cup, with Zefer 2nd.

With Dave Lawson racing a Laser, Val/Ken stepped up to the line and, winning the first two races in the GPs, they were in with a good chance of winning the McMillan Cup but the final race slipped from them as Mike/Eric took the win and the trophy.

Phil/Oliver continued their winning ways (with lifeboat in tow!), to win the Round Table Tankard, with Matthew a creditable 2nd place overall.

Final results

Next weekend we are hoting a Laser open meeting on Saturday, and Solo open meeting on Sunday so there will be no club racing. Early entry discounts end on Wednesday so don’t miss out.

This weather does nothing to curb the growth of grass, so Toggle and his team continue with their weekly working parties, but would always appreciate additional help. If you would like to help, contact Mike Cowan, or just turn up on Wednesday evening at about 6.30pm

In contrast to last weekend’s sunny windy weather, Saturday was overcast with a lack of wind. There had been a good turnout for the morning training session, but fewer numbers for the afternoon race. Those that were there were keen to sail so, despite the lightest of airs, probably one of the smallest courses (A-9-0) was set just in case the course needed shortened, but it suited the conditions and those racing. By the end of the first lap the wind filled in from the west, so the race lasted for another couple of laps.

Ian Hall took the honours in his Solo with Nigel/Glenys in a GP 2nd

Latest results

After a wet night, the sun was shining on Sunday morning but, despite the tell tale Bothel turbines turning in a SW breeze, the lake was very patchy. The committee boat took to the water and the wind started to fill in from the north. A line was set and the wind promptly swung to the west. A line was set, the race started and the fleet of three set off on a fetch to the first mark as the wind had swung back to the north. Surely the wind would swing back again? No, it wasn’t to be. Mike had led the fleet in his Streaker, and won on handicap ahead of Paul/Vicki in their GP.

The afternoon pennant race was held in the northern bay. The course was set based on a westerly but it again swung resulting in tacking on every leg of the course! As in the morning, the final result was the same as the finishing order on the water with Paul/Vicki 1st, and Mike 2nd

RNLI Pennant final results

The race counted towards Sandra’s Salver for female crews, and although Mike/Kayla were sailing at Rutland this weekend, finishing a creditable 3rd position, Kayla still tops the leader board.

Sandra’s Salver latest results

Saturday was sunny, warm, but blustery and only a few hardy sailors were planning to sail (or was that swim in Alastair’s case?). However, within 15 mins of the start time the wind suddenly eased as it fought with itself coming from multiple directions, and there was 15 boats quickly rigging and launching. Relying on the forecast easterly being the predominant direction, a line was set and racing got underway with a reaching start! Of the seven legs in the course, boats were beating on at least six… There was one capsize, not Alastair, and a few retirements, but at least it wasn’t a blow out as it originally� seemed it might be. In the end Dave Lawson in his Laser won by 3 secs ahead of John Reekie in a Solo.

The wind settled more to the north for the second race, though it did swing yet again. On handicap, Scumper won with John Reekie 2nd. In the Mirrors, Jonathan/Henry won both races from Paul/Emily.

A challenging afternoon for OD and sailors alike.

MG series latest results

Sunday started off windier than Saturday, with the wind whistling through the rigging. The only likely sailing seemed to that of some exhibition windsurfing by John Reekie, but as on Saturday, the white horses faded as the wind eased, and there was sufficient interest to get racing underway with eight boats. The wind was variable again, and many sailors found it annoyingly frustrating, but there were many exciting gusts, and not too many capsizes.

After lunch a few more boats took to the water, but a squall on the start line caused some minor mayhem with two boats capsizing.

Zefer was overnight leader in the Handicap fleet, 1 pt ahead of Alex/Olivia, while Dave/Ken led the GPs being the only finisher in their race.

Bank holiday Monday was another glorious day and the first day the cadets could get afloat in a fleet of Teras and Optimists

With more reasonable winds which initially came from the south east the OD sent the fleet down to mark 7 at Scarness, the only downside being that the wind swung more to the east on the final lap causing a shadow on the eastern shore, slowing down the race pace with some boats taking almost 90 mins to finish the morning race.

The final race of the weekend series had more shifty winds, variable in strength too, but there were no capsizes, and two notable finishers in the slow handicap fleet of Matthew Somerville and Henry Bullen who were both sailing Teras.

Scumper won both races, but it was Alex/Olivia that won the Isel Cup series with a 2nd, beating Zefer by 2 pts. Dave/Lynn won both races in the GPs to winthe Commodore’s Prize with Mike/Sally 2nd.

Bean/Oliver won both races in the Slow Handicap fleet, but Paul’s finish on Sunday won him the Orsova Cup

Final results

It wasn’t only the Windsor wedding that enjoyed wall to wall sunshine on Saturday. Though the wind was patchy over lunch, the sea breeze came in and built up throughout the afternoon.

Mike/Kayla continued with their cover tacking over Ian/Lezli-Ann in the F15s apart from on the final beat when Ian took the honours by a hair’s breadth! Mike didn’t make the same mistake in the 2nd race, and built a stronger lead to reverse the result, taking a win and the lead in the series.

Alex/Olivia in their RS200 won the first race from Dave L in a Laser, but they had no competition for the 2nd race.

In the GPs Paul brushed the start line by the finest of margins, but it was Val/Ken that mastered the conditions to take two winds ahead of Mike/Eric. AJ/Sue started well with their new suit of sails but had top settle for two 3rds. Mike leads the series.

Emma/Rory had a good start in the Mirrors, despite being without a watch! However, conditions were just a bit too much, so they soon retired leaving Mik to complete the course and take the win, and the lead in the series.

MG series latest results

Cloud cover on Sunday brought in some stronger winds that proved to be a bit much for Josh and Poppy who retired before getting past the F15 moorings, which left Mik with no competition in the Mirrors so he headed ashore, but had to be towed ashore when his main came down.

Alex/Olivia sailed well and took the lead in the Handicap fleet only for their main halyard to break, so they needed a tow ashore too, so it was Dave L in a Laser Radial that took 1st place from Rory in a Solo.

Phil/Sarah had a good race in the GP taking 1st place from Mike/Eric. OD Ian Macpherson had qualms about sending the two F15s round an extra lap (to keep the trailing handicap boats company), it didn’t help Ian/Lezli-Ann catch up Mike/Kayla who took another win strengthening their lead in the series.

BL Series latest results

The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy, sailed as a pennant race around the lake. Surprisingly the winds were reasonably steady, and eased as the race went on. Mike/Kayla took an early lead which they held to the finish. The GPs had a close race with Mike/Eric finishing only 8 secs ahead of Val/Ken after 80 mins racing, but it was Mike that won the trophy by 23 secs on handicap.

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results

The RS400 Northern Championship was held at South Shields over the weekend with successes by Scumper and Zefer finishing third overall, with the championship being won by new member Dave Exley and Mark Lunn. Congratulations to you all!

Defying the forecast, Saturday had sunshine all the way to welcome over 40 visitors to the club and get them on the water as part of the RYA’s Push the Boat Out campaign. The wind was light but at least it didn’t result in anyone from getting an unexpected soaking. We were pleased that some visitors were tempted enough by our wonderful surroundings to join and explore our sport more.

Sunday was sunny too, but the winds were stronger, and considerably steadier in direction than sailors have enjoyed for the last couple of weekends. It’s a shame there weren’t more on the water to enjoy it.

There were two Flying 15s out in the morning; with conditions suiting Ian/Lezli-Ann, Mike/Kayla weren’t going to take any chances and cover tacked all round the course to prevent a break through.

After some close racing, Paul Gannon sailed his Laser well in the morning to win ahead of Zefer, but Zefer took the honours in the afternoon with Neil 2nd.

Paul Bowmer, with wife Vicki crewing, won both GP races from Val/Ken, while Bean/Oliver (who sang a lot of the way round!) took two wins from Mik in the Mirrors.

Latest results

Has anyone seen or borrowed a combo road trailer that fits a GP? AJ�s isn�t where he left it a couple of weeks ago.

Who would believe a sunny bank holiday weekend?

When the morning mist shifted on Saturday it revealed a warm sunny day. �The wind was forecast to be Southerly but it swung between northwest and southwest being light and with many holes. The Handicap Fleet had a general recall and boats from all fleets, including the visiting Catapults, were switching positions dependent on the number of holes they encountered.

The OD decided to move the Bates after race 1 to try to find more constant wind which caused a significant delay. At his restart Mik became confused by the many sound signals the Bates� novice driver was issuing and went OCS and later, Mike & Eric found a further hole and came to a dead stop letting Val & Ken through albeit briefly.

On Sunday morning, as with Saturday, the wind struggled to settle from a given direction, and there were some calmer patches between the shifting winds. The sea breeze helped settle things down in the afternoon, and the stronger winds gave some good planing conditions. In addition to several premature starters, there were various capsizes throughout the afternoon; Paul Bowmer in a GP was washed out of his boat causing a Chinese gybe as he held on to the main, and an inevitable capsize followed. Ian/Lezli-Ann in a F15 got a gust of wind as they passed The Bates which they narrowly missed as they struggled to bear away. Another gust had two Catapults rapidly catching Simon/Jon in a F15 as they were about to round a leeward mark. One took water to round, but the other couldn’t fully bear away and finished up astride the F15! Simon ended up on the Catapult to enable a separation.

[eazyest_slideshow folder=”album/18sundry/May bank hol” display=”slide”]

With three races, two of which were in the stronger winds, there were many sailors ready to top up their energy with the pie and pea supper before taking part in a race night.

A sunny bank holiday Monday delivered more of the same. A short wait in the morning allowed the wind to settle in from the north, only to swing to the west early in the race. As a result the beat became very one sided, and there were some wind shadows around mark 1. The initial light winds put off a few sailors who opted to enjoy the sunshine on shore. The wind then filled in from the south west with some gusto, and it remained for the rest of the day as it was reinforced by the sea breeze. Simon/Jon avoided further incidents with the Catapult with which they had a close encounter on Sunday, to break back through to the lead, win the race, and secure the Jak Pot trophy, leaving Mike/Kayla and Ian/Lezli-Ann to battle it our for 2nd overall in the final race.

Although the variable morning race conditions suited Mike/Eric in their GP, enabling them to take first place, Dave/Lynn had the series in the bag with their 2nd place, but still raced the final race to win the Lyne Tankard with a clean sweep of four 1sts.

Ian Hall in his Solo took advantage of the morning conditions to take a win on handicap, but it was Scumper in his RS100 that took the May Holiday trophy with 9 points ahead of Steve/Ruth in their Merlin.

Bean and Oliver won the MT fleet trophy with four wins, while Jonathan/Henry were 2nd overall.

Final results

After 6 mixed and challenging races, the visiting Catapult fleet had a new winner in Dave Terry, with Gareth Ede 2nd overall.

Saturday started with a warm southerly that promised some great sailing conditions. Banter was keen to start in the narrows at Scarness and race down the lake, although his wish was not granted, a course was set taking the fleets up to mark 7.
By the time the race was started (the OD was waiting for Josh and Poppy to get launched), the wind was easing a little as it swung, and then came from multiple directions (well it did where the committee boat was moored).

After a slowish 1st lap the race was curtailed with the hope of getting another race within a more settled area of wind. Banter/Rob in a RS400 finished first on the water, then cooled off by diving into the lake as they headed ashore waiting for the rest of the fleet to finish.

Eventually the wind did settle down, generally but from the north west, and most boats opted to give it a go. The first beat had the fleet opting for separate sides of the beat which led to some unexpected leaders at the windward mark! After 30 mins the wind faded for a while but came back enabling most boats to finish in a fair breeze. Who would benefit from the lulls in the wind as some boats sailed more laps than others?

MT Series latest results

Sunday started with a force 3-4 south westerly, but much more overcast and cooled than Saturday. With open meetings on elsewhere for GPs and F15s, their fleets were depleted resulting in just one handicap race of 12 boats. The gusty conditions did cause some capsizes, and a few retirements, but it was Steve/Ruth that took the fleet around one leeward mark the wrong way, and another four boats followed! Ian/Tim in their F15 was the first to round it correctly, and four boats turned to re-round it, but not all of them unwound their mistake – one notable sailor being Sailing Secretary Zefer! This led to a few more retirements. Steve’s unconvincing ‘story’ was that he had a problem with a spinnaker pole and rounded the mark wrongly by mistake, so went ashore to fix it.

Of the three finishers, Ian/Tim won ahead of Mike in his Streaker, with Banter/Rob 3rd.

BL latest results

The afternoon race was a in aid of the Calvert Trust, and with the SW wind it turned out to be a true penance, with the down draughts from Sale Fell causing calm patches, gusts, and shifting winds. Stave/Ruth did break away in their Merlin, only to lose ground, then regain sufficient to win on handicap from Dave/Lynn. The 90 min race in such conditions will ensure many sleep well tonight!

Calvert Trust Pennant results