Sunday started with gusting southerly winds which led to some exciting and spectacular spinnaker legs. There were some occasional capsizes as the gusts increased.

The heavier winds suited Mike/Kayla who took an early lead in the F15s and maintained it to the end. Zefer took a good win in his Laser over Steve/Ruth in their Merlin. No real need to confirm that Dave/Lynn won in the GPs again, as did Bean/Oliver in the Slow Handicap fleet!

Latest BL series results

With white horses building through the Scarness narrows over lunch, and the rain moving in, it was surprising that 11 boats were ‘keen’ to race around the lake in aid of the Eric Twiname Trust Pennant. In fact, the wind eased considerably so the 3 mile long beat was not as arduous as it might have been. Certainly there were some mixed fortunes as the fleet progressed down the lake, with the F15s taking the lead. By the time they got back to the northern bay, Scumper/Alastair were leading in a RS400, but with Mike/Kayla on their tail, they wouldn’t be taking the honours which went to Dave/Lynn, beating Mike by 36 secs on handicap.

Eric Twiname Trust final results

Some light airs on a wet afternoon were just enough to tempt four boats to the water for the next race in the long MG series. The official starter, aka Herb, opted to have a shore start to minimise exposure to the rain showers.

The handicap fleet comprised Dave L in a Laser and Mike F in his Streaker, and they have a keen, clean start. AJ/Sue and Nigel/Glenys in the GPs also had a clear start, though it wasn’t quite as keen!

The light airs lasted long enough to complete the first lap, just, so the race was shortened and a show of hands (or lack of them), brought racing to the end for the day.

Dave took the honours in the Handicap fleet, and AJ in the GPs.

MG Series Latest results

Sunday started with a light southerly, though with the wind forecast to come from the SW the OD fully expected the wind to swing around Sale Fell and cause some light patches until the true wind settled in.

There was a good turnout of 21 boats over all four fleets, and although the wind was swinging, with some holes, most boats were on the second lap before the wind disappeared. Various zephyrs teased the boats along the course which was shortened 2/3rds around the second lap. Bean/Oliver noticed where the course was being shortened without losing too much ground as they were heading for the wrong mark, but it would be another half hour before Mik finished. Dave/Lyn won the GPs, and Ian/Lezli-Ann regained the lead to win in the F15s. Zefer in his Laser won the Handicap fleet 30secs ahead of Robin/Erin in a RS200.

The wind didn’t look at all promising during the lunch break, but suddenly filled in from the North so the committee boat went out to set a start as the wind started to swing to the NW. The wind held, but continued to swing more to the West (no, not the first sea breeze of the season!).

There were only two fleets racing; Dave/Lynn won in the GPs and Alex/Olivia took their first win of the season in the Handicap fleet ahead of Mike F in a Solo, whose crewed had jumped ship over lunch due to the lack of wind.

BL Series latest results

An Easter easterly helped reduce air temperatures for sailors and campers alike. Fortunately the forecast gusty winds on Saturday eased late morning to encourage a few more boats to race.

Banter/Tim were out in a RS400 and powered through the start line a few seconds early to claim the first individual recall of the season! At the next start AJ/Sue had nowhere to squeeze through as they approached the line but they unsuccessfully tried to duck Mike’s stern with which they collided and had to do the first sets of penalty turns of the season.

The wind was shifty, and the gusts did increase through the afternoon, resulting in a few capsizes. Oliver Smith was well wrapped up with three sets of joggers, but it wasn’t enough to keep him warm enough to continue through the full race so dad Phil opted for an early retirement.

At the end of the afternoon Dave/Lynn lead the GP Spring Cup with two 1sts, Zefer leads the Handicap Barf Trophy with a 2nd and a 1st, and Sandy/Douglas the Slow Handicap Red Sails Trophy, also with two 1sts.

Latest results

The evening entertainment started off with a bring and eat meal for the kids followed by a film, all to be repeated for the adults later

Sunday started busily with an Easter egg hunt, and there were plenty of successful finds

The temperature was only 5C but felt so much warmer than Saturday, and the winds, still from the East were not quite as gusty as Saturday, though there were plenty of shifts� about to catch out helms on the beats.

After three races, all to count, some consistent sailing puts Ian/Lezli-Ann in the lead for the F15s, Dave/Lynn lead the GPs with two 1sts, and a bit of a mash-up in the handicap fleet has Tony King leading with 13pts and new member Stan Barton just a point behind (did Stan give a position away when he forgot about the leeward mark as he head for the finish?). Only one race has been sailed in the slow handicap, but it is led by Banter/Oscar.

The annual egg dump competition was as strongly contested as ever. Fortunately, or otherwise, this year no kids made it to the final only to be intimidated and have their egg cracked by nasty adults. Peter Winfindale was up against Wendy Somerville in the final, but he was no match for the canny Scot who took the honours!

The forecast for Monday was not good, and a wet morning with a blustery easterly was not sufficient to entice anyone to race, so racing was cancelled, and campers dodged the showers to pack up and leave after the long weekend.

Weekend series final results

Some blustery conditions on Saturday morning eased to leave near champagne racing conditions in the (slightly) warmer weather with sunny intervals. Today’s racing is for the final weekend series of the championship season, but as the winners have already been determined, numbers on the water were lighter than usual.

Dave Lawson led Val Bell in both GP races, but they shared their crews with Ladies v Gents in the second race.

Steve/Ruth led the handicap fleet in the first race taking 1st on handicap with Jim/Poppy 2nd. In the next race, Steve took the lead but failed to notice that nobody was following him up the 2nd beat because the course had changed! By the time he realised three boats had got away, and he finished 4th with Scumper 1st and Jim taking another 2nd. Bob had similar problems following the course after the one he’d written down had been scuffed off.

In the slow handicap fleet, Mik in his Mirror won the first race, but in the next race there was a dead heat with Paul in a Topper.

Sunday stayed dry with another mild southerly breeze, but it didn’t encourage any more on to the water. With no GPs sailing, the Stables Prize goes to Saturday’s overnight leader Dave and Lynn Lawson, who opted to try their hand in the handicap fleet and give Scumper a run for his money, which they did very successfully as he was unable to break far enough ahead, and they won race 3 on handicap. Joanie had had enough sailing for the weekend, so Tog retreated to the Solo only for the gooseneck to break soon after starting.

After lunch the wind eased slightly, but results on handicap were consistent with a finishing order of Scumper, Dave, and Tog. The trophy goes to Scumper, with Tog (aided by Joanie) 2nd and Dave/Lynn 3rd.

Paul Gannon won races 3 and 4 with John Roberts 2nd. Although the positions were reversed in the final race, Paul had sufficient good results to win the trophy.

Final results

Congratulations go out to Vice Commodore Naomi Smith and husband Phil on the birth of their daughter Lucy, a brother for Oliver.

Congratulations go to another Smith, Naomi’s brother in law Andy after his stirling performance with Phil Hodgkins at Derwent Reservoir over the weekend winning all races to win the GP14 Northern championship!

So the meteorologists think it’s now Autumn, just as well they didn’t tell the weather! A windless, sunny morning filled in for the afternoon racing, though with the wind from the SSW it couldn’t settle as to which side of Sale Fell to come from. Though a little shifty in the first race, the wind was so much less predictable in the second one with 45 degree shifts between boats just a few lengths apart. Ian/Lezliann in their F15 benefitted from one such shift helping them break away from Neil/Judith, though the continued shift almost turned a reach into a beat that threatened to rob Ian of his lead, but he held on until the about 5 boat lengths from the finish when he had to tack off and gave Neil the commanding position that won him the race. However, Ian/Lezliann had done well enough to win the Dawson Trophy.

The middle segment of the second race, despite the course being out of the shadow of Sale Fell, had the most unexpected shifts and hollow spots. Joan/Jack revel in such conditions and took the lead, but Dave/Lynn fought back taking their 2nd win of the day, and the Autumn Cup.

In the handicap fleet Steve/Ruth won both races in a Merlin Rocket, ahead of Jim in his Supernova in the 1st race, and Toggle/Joanie in their RS200 in the 2nd. Steve’s wins were just enough for him to win the Skiddaw Trophy from Joe.

No racing in the Mirror fleet so the MT Trophy goes to Jonathan/Henry.

The sun continued throughout Saturday afternoon.

Final DW results

Wind and rain was the forecast for Sunday, and it was partly correct with a good southerly, a heavy swell and some white horses. Again, there weren’t many that turned up to sail, but conditions did not put them off. There was a bit of hanging around waiting for Tog who had been delayed rodding drains! During that wait, the effects of Sale Fell were felt as far down as mark 3 with down draughts, flat spots and major shifts, and the race started on a tight fetch, though it did revert to a beat closer to windward mark 6. The Lasers had plenty of capsize practice, and both subsequently retired. Indeed Paul capsized so much he was eventually taken into the rescue boat, while AJ jumped aboard to sail the boat back to shore. It wasn’t long before he capsized too!

Toggle had gear failure on the start of his final lap and retired, leaving just three finishers, led by Stave/Ruth in a Merlin, then Dave/Lynn in a GP, positions which they held on handicap. Being the final race of the series, the results did not affect the overall results with Mike Fairlamb winning the Dodd Cup. The Blencathra Trophy for F15s was won by Ian/Lezliann, Mustard Pot for GPs won by AJ/Sue, and Mirror AB Cup by Bean/Oliver.

Final results BL etc

Although having enjoyed the challenges of the morning race, there was no enthusiasm for another race so it was another early finish. Despite the forecast, the rain contained itself to just a few spits and spots.

Though there’s one weekend series to go, finalising two series has shown that the Club Champions for this year have already been determined. Congratulations go to:

Flying 15s – Ian Campbell/Lezliann Pearson
Handicap – Mark Somerville
GP14s – Dave/Lynn Lawson
Mirrors – Phil/Oliver Smith

Latest Championship positions

For some people that have been camping since Thursday, Saturday marks the middle of their weekend break, and they have been joined by the Southport and GP14 cruisers. With a good westerly breeze, and some sunny spells, there was an excellent turnout with over 30 boats, including 11 Mirrors. The Smith family had a large contingent in the Mirror fleet and it is not surprising that they were amongst the flurry of boats over the line and caused a general recall!

Results wise, it was a day to confuse the sailing secretary when it came to recording the results as there were numerous swaps between helm and crews (Olivia/Alex, Amber/Robin, Izzie/Ben) NB Ant/Jo weren’t in that list just yet, though they did swap to Ant’s RS200 and had various problems including their mainsail slipping down. Also, there were some new faces in the Mirrors with Graham, Alan and Keith trying their hand, while Scumper sailed with Matthew in a F15, and Emily went back into a Laser for the first time in many years!

The winds afforded some good planing conditions at times, and there weren’t many capsizes, not that was Dave Lawson’s excuse for getting wet as he missed his toestraps and took a quick dip.

To top all this off there was some good racing and close finishes.

Latest results DW etc

Sunday ‘s expectation of light winds was not to be. As the morning race went on, the wind increased together with the number of capsizes. All in all it proved a bit too much for some and they didn’t venture out after lunch.

�Though there were no recalls throughout the day, some starts were busy, and not without incident, and penalty turns had to be done. Just to prove that miracles can happen, Simon was seen to be one of those boats doing his turns! However, it didn’t stop him from working his way back to the front of the F15s and taking another win.

The overnight leaders are Simon/Jon in the F15s, Mark/Banter in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in GPs, and Andy in the Mirrors. The Bank Holiday wind was slightly less than forecast and expected so there was only a handful of takers, especially as the expectation was that that the wind would increase and the rain would descend.

A simple triangular course gave competitors some good reaches and the gusts provided great planing conditions. There were no capsizes, and all those that sailed completed the course, and were pleased to have raced, though no-one was interested in the final race. Final results remained as overnight.

The early finish enabled tents and awnings to be packed away dry, and me to cut my lawns before the the onset of rain!

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Final results August Bank holiday etc

A good turnout for another day of blustery conditions. The rain held off but it didn't mean everyone kept dry as the courses had various gybes which had the edge over numerous sailors in the gusts, and resulted in several capsizes. The gusts also meant there were some great planing conditions to be had. After lunch the wind strengthened a little, as did the rate of capsizing!

In the F15s Mike/Kayla took back to the water after a three month break and, although Ian/Elaine led the first lap, the conditions suit Mike and he subsequently took the lead and the winner's horn in both races.

Dave/Lynn took two 1sts in the GPs, but they didn't have it all their own way. Despite a poor start by Val/Ken in the afternoon race, they took the lead to the end of the first lap before slipping back to 2nd by the finish.

There were many more capsizes in the handicap fleet whether it was due to Zefer's tiller extension releasing itself, the challenges of the gybe marks, or being blown in on the reaches and beats! Steve/Ruth sailed well, stayed upright and won both races on handicap, taking overall lead in the series. Similarly Zefer had two 2nds, and is lying 2nd overall, and Hugh 3rd with two 3rds!

Latest results

With Bass Week starting on Saturday there is still some final preparations and a working party on Tuesday evening to move boats, tidy the grounds and clubhouse, clear out the kitchen for the caterer.

Please come down and help, Naomi will find a job for you!

After a soggy morning that didn’t even tempt Jo on to the water for the Social Saturday sailing the rain had passed through and some wind eventually filled in for a belated start.

The wind swung throughout the first race but one of the two beats was maintained after some strategic mark moving. By the end of the race the wind had swung through 120 degrees! The new course was set and worked well until the wind faded to nothing.

It was to be a slow finishing sequence that resulted in a few retirements from the end of the fleet

Sunday started bright with a light northerly breeze. The ID was up with the lark and opted to start on time whether the sailors had made it to the start or not – and some were a little tardy, partly due to the wind fading for a while.

Ian/Lezliann had a clean start, on time, and kept their lead through to the finish, taking his third win of the series.

The 2nd race saw Graham/Alan take a big lead only to throw it away by missing out YZ (as they did a couple of weeks ago)! Places continued to swap but the final outcome had Neil/Judith 1st with Ian/Elaine 2nd. Graham sailed well in the final race until he headed for the wrong mark… Fortunately Ian/Lezliann did not follow, took the lead, and broke well clear to take their 4th win of the weekend, and confirming their 1st position in the Scarness Cup.

All the GP fleet had consistent results with Dave/Lynn taking five 1sts to win the Graham Cup, Val/Ken five 2nds and Alan/Sue five 3rds!

In the handicap fleet, Scumper won the Wythop Cup with four 1sts, but the 2nds were shared out between Peter Whipp, Steve/Ruth, Dave Haselden, Alex/Olivia and Tog, though it was Robin/Erin that took 2nd overall with a 1st and three 3rds.

Alastair/Alfie got a great start and took an early lead in the Mirrors, albeit brief, before Bean/Oliver broke back and won the morning race, with Alfie/Alastair (yes Alfie helming) finishing a respectable 2nd. After lunch Oliver decided he did want to sail after Bean had set off, so hitched a lift to the start line with rescue in time for the race, taking another 1st, this time against Oliver’s grandad. After two races, enough was enough, and the Mirrors headed ashore with Bean/Oliver taking the Reflection Cup

Final results

A drizzly but mild and wild Saturday afternoon didn’t put off any of those sailors that turned up for a race. Even Jo was keen to get on the water, this time racing with Ant in a Vision, and fulfil her dream of sailing the perfect race, winning by a country mile, and sailing into the sunset. Unfortunately, her dream didn’t come true today. The blustery, and shifty, conditions caused numerous capsizes, even before the start!

Steve/Ruth in a Merlin led the fleet but couldn’t break away from Bean/Izzy, practising for Bass Week, in a 200. Hugh suffered a few capsizes in his Vareo and was relieved to be the ‘right’ side of the line when the race was shortened. Nigel/Glenys, Ant/Jo, Paul and Bob all retired after capsizing. On handicap, Bean won, with Tog 2nd, and Steve 3rd.

With so many retirements in the first race, numbers were somewhat depleted for the second start, and reduced even further when AJ/Sue had no competition in the GPs, and Tog capsized before the start then opted to head back ashore. Again Steve led in his Merlin, but raising his spinnaker was his downfall when he couldn’t avoid a capsize soon after. Bean took the lead, winning overall, with Steve 2nd and Hugh 3rd, having also capsized whilst flying his gennaker.

Leading the Handicap Dawson Trophy at present is Jo (with a little help from Ant!), with Bean/Izzy 2nd. AJ/Sue lead the GP Autumn Cup.

Latest results

Rain passed through overnight leaving clearer skies, and less blustery winds for Sunday’s racing. The GPs were a bit too keen at the start causing an individual recall, but consciences must have been running high as more boats returned than were actually on course side! Val/Ken took advantage of their clean start and led the race but were a little concerned when someone was distracted forgot to sound the horn! – oops. Mike/Eric made a good recovery after being recalled to finish 2nd with AJ/Sue 3rd.

In the Handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth again led the fleet gaining sufficient lead with the various reaches to win on handicap. Tog/Joan were in their RS200 to take 2nd from Bean/Oliver in their Mirror.

The afternoon pennant race in aid of the Jubilee Sailing Trust just took the fleet to 10. Despite the SW breeze, conditions were not quite as flukey as they often are. The lead three boats stayed relatively close together until their return to 7, when Banter/Emma were left wallowing as the others left them behind – did they go aground? Steve/Ruth won on handicap 21 secs ahead of Rory/Eleanor in their F15, with Mike/Eric 3rd.

Eleanor leads Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew.

BL etc latest results
Jubilee Sailing Trust results
Sandra’s Salver latest

An early start for the youth team racing at the Southport Junior 12 Hour race being managed by principal trainer Alex in an Enterprise that is holding together with some shackles and a bit of ‘bodging’ for a snapped shackle.

If conditions there were anything similar to the club, they will probably sleep soundly on the trip back home, as a gusty force 4 put some off, and tested a select group of sailors that all raced in the handicap fleet.

The testing conditions caused a few capsizes, and Dave Lawson to hit his head on his tiller! Dave was leading but headed to the wrong mark on a reach from 3, and he slipped back to 3rd on the water, and on handicap, behind Joe and Peter both in Laser Radials. Only five of the nine starters finished, and Dave/Lynn called it a day at that stage. The remaining four boats battled through the conditions, with Joe gaining a clear lead against Peter, which was lost after a spectacular capsize at one of the gybe marks, so Peter took the lead through to the finish, with Joe 2nd.

Well done to newcomer Jo, surviving another two races without mishap, and finishing the day with a smile on her face.

Latest results

Sunday started sunny and less windy than forecast, still no takers in the F15 fleet. With no competition in the slow handicap fleet Sandy and Douglas Simpson sailed their Mirror in the main handicap fleet securing a 1st ahead of James Moore in his Radial. 

The afternoon race was the RNLI pennant, but the course only took the fleet to mark 10, not that there weren’t any downdraughts to contend with! Banter Phil took his Skiff out in its second race, but too many capsizes had him chasing the fleet before he finally retired. Dave/Lynn generally led the fleet, though Rory/Eleanor in their F15 did get passed for a while before they had temporary gear failure. Overall it was the GPs that took the honours, with Dave 1st and Mike/Eric 2nd 

Eleanor leads Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew in the pennant races. 

BL latest results 

RNLI Pennant 

Sandra’s Salver latest