Saturday

First day of Summer! Somewhat overcast, but the wind doth blow (a bit at least), from the forecast SW direction. The wind is due to pick up later in the afternoon, and give a good blast tomorrow!

The first race was all set for starting on time, until the final couple of minutes before the start when there was 60degree windshift that forced the OD to postpone and rethink. Although the wind continued to blow from the south at the southern end of the lake, the wind in the start area was from the E – NE. After a half hour delay a new course was set and the race got under.

Guess what! The wind picked up during the race with gusts of 25mph. Of course the wind swung back towards the south, so the spinnaker reaches were somewhat testing. Those that tried, more often than not, failed and ended up swimming. The gybe mark proved to be a tough test too, and there were several more capsizes. There were 11 finishers overall.

Races 2 and 3 were sailed back to back, and as the wind increased the numbers dwindled. There were 12 starters and finishers in race 2, and it was John Riley and Nigel Lewis from Bass that showed the way, with Hugh Godfrey and Rhonwen Bryce close on their tail. Perhaps lessons had been learnt from the first race as no-one chanced flying their spinnakers again! There were many white horses by the time the fleet finished, and some opted out of the final race leaving only 8 starters. The first gybe mark proved to be the downfall of several boats, including John Riley, but Hugh stayed upright and took the lead. With rescue boats failing, the committee boat went to the aid of one boat stuck in the mud, and with a small fleet that had numbers reducing there was a bit of a race to get to 0 ahead of the leading boat and shorten the course so that the fleet did not have to sail an additional beat! Hugh stayed ahead to take lead position overnight.

Will that be the final result as the forecast for Sunday is horrendus?

Sunday

The forecast was right! The wind picked up as the morning went on so the OD opted to abandon for the day. There was an early prize giving and the remaining competitors were able to pack their boats up and get home early.

Oops – Can you tell who it is yet?Click on the following link to see more photos of the event by Scumper

Saturday

0900��� There’s a multitude of keen sailors that arrived last night queuing up for bacon and egg baps. The weather is overcast, but the breeze is from the south west, and is due to freshen as the morning moves on

1200��� The entries are still coming in, and the fleet list has reached 51 boats. The weather is not as sunny as expected, but at least there seems to be wind under the black clouds 🙂 The wind is in the forecast direction and forecast to increase slightly as the afternoon goes on. The OD is considering holding three races today in what is expected to be the better conditions

1300��� The entries have closed at 51 boats. The competitors are preparing for the first ‘decent length’ race (as the OD put it). The fleet will come ashore and venture out again with a view to having a further two races back to back

1345��� The competitors have all launched, at least two have capsized, and one has returned to shore! What will follow?

1400��� There was a good clean start and a fleet of 50 boats set off for the first race. Perhaps the ODs promise of black flagging was taken heed of!?

1455��� The winner of the first race crosses the line – Nick Craig of Frensham Pond

1600��� The fleet are preparing to go out for race 2. One helm looking for a replacement crew was, sadly, not inundated with offers from stand-ins!

1615��� Race 2 gets under way – another clear start

1705��� Nick Craig wins race 2

1735��� No peace for the wicked – Race 3 gets underway – another clear start!

1820��� The wind having eased slightly for the last race (not that the sailors would feel the benefit after three long races), did not alter the position of the strongest competitor of the day – it was Nick Craig that again led the way and take his third win of the day

All that’s left is for the competitors to come ashore, pack away their boats and get ready for their Christmas dinner! You think we’re joking!

A protest relating to an incident in race 2 led to the non discardable disqualification of Steve Blackburn – will he take out on the revellers in the disco?

Sunday

Three windy races, a Christmas dinner and a quiz were enough to tire out most of the visitors and they had a relatively early night with most having gone to bed by midnight.

0800��� There are only occasional zephyrs breaking up the mirror like water. The forecast is for light winds gusting 15-19mph. It seems unlikely that it will come to fruition in just two hours, but we hope it does! There’s not much activity on site at the moment (a bit like the wind I suppose)….

1040��� The start time for race 3 has passed, but the wind has not settled in yet. Until the direction settles down into a NW direction the prospect of a good race is poor. The galley had some brisk business with bacon/ bacon & egg baps. Head chef Elaine said to some of the late night revellers that service would be available until 930. Little did she know that 930 would be the time when the food stocks ran out! Unfortunately there were a few disappointed sailors still in the queue at that time. Ah well, there’s always lunch!

1110��� The wind is settling down to the forecast WNW, the course is set, and the fleet’s lining up for the start. Now that the wind is in the right direction, the breeze should strengthen a little

1325��� Race 4 got underway at 1135 after several general recalls. The wind held out, but didn’t freshen as expected, or hoped! Nick Craig failed to make it four in a row, coming in 2nd but with an unassailable position that means he has won the championship even before the final race gets underway. Over lunch the wind has continued to ease, and has swung to the north. Hopefully the final race will get underway shortly

1415��� After quite a while hanging around, and a general recall, the final race has been underway for about 5 mins, but the wind is continuing to swing significantly. Fortuitously, the wind pattern matches the route of the course (or did the OD set the course within the wind?). The general recall resulted in the use of the black flag rule being applied – three boats fell foul of it and it meant they were to come ashore early and pack their boat away.

1505��� The final race is coming to and end. The wind did hold out till the end, but only just!

The Commodore thanked all the competitors for travelling so far and wished them a safe journey home. Prizes were presented by his wife Elaine

Saturday: Well the forecast was for not a lot of wind and that is what we got. Although before the start the wind had begun to fill in, with hopes of it being strengthened by a sea breeze (wishful thinking!), the wind never really settled down. The north wind that was blowing when the first course was set wasn’t the the direction when the fleet set off resulting in a fetch and a one sided run. Although Robbie D took an early lead it was to be Paul and Mike Allen from Leigh that won the race.

The second race was sailed in a better windward leeward fashion, but the biased line led to a general recall, and then a hectic second start. Dave Jones took the lead and maintained it to the finish

The final race was held in dying airs, and the run down seemed to be in flat water but the boats did keep moving. Team Bass took up the rear and stayed there! Fortunately the wind filled in slightly for the second beat, after which the race was shortened. With no discards at that stage it was Dave Jones that was overnight leader

Sunday: Would the wind fill in as expected? It’s looked hopeful! Famous last words?

The wind did fill in but there were some massive shifts which meant many places were won, or lost on the beat, and runs. After two back to back races, sailors were ready for some steak pie at lunchtime!

After lunch the wind was topped up slightly by the sea breeze giving the occasional opportunity for some planing. The wind shifts continued to be severe giving boats the opportunity to gain significantly if they managed to be in the right place when it shifted. Richard and Elaine Marsh held off Paul Allen in the final race to take the series.

A special award was given to Shaun Woodcock for marking the end of the� race as he crossed the line to the final hooter of the race.

After the prize giving, Richard thanked everyone for organising the weekend and keeping the sailors topped up with food as well as liquid refreshments

It is hoped that the RS400 open will form part of a larger travellers series next year, so it could be even bigger and better.

Congratulations to Mik Chappell on winning the Beaver open meeting on Saturday!

Club racing for Fleet Challenge B Cup was held alongside the open meeting but on a separate course, and run on a personal handicap basis. The winds were even less favourable for those boats! After the first three races, Rhonwen is in the lead – will she go out on a high? Certainly she’s as vocal as ever, requesting (well instructing!) Mike Moore to cover up his builder’s bum. According to Kayla, that was nothing compared to what she had to cover her eyes from! Perhaps the sun’s going to her head?

Some short sharp races were the order of the day on Sunday. Richard Critchley made a more valiant effort in his Enterprise (than his previous attempt to get past the end of the jetty!) to win a couple of the races, and Mike Moore with Kayla won the final race as the wind picked up. But it was Big E who sailed consistently well to secure the series

All in all, when the sun shines, and the wind blows, Bass is one of the most fantastic places to be!

0700: It’s bad enough when you can’t trust the forecast, but when the weather observations (from nearby Keswick) don’t reflect what is actually occurring it gets unbelieveable. The current 2mph SW certainly could not be associated with the overnight history. The Bass micro climate continues to mystify. All the forecasts still suggest it’ll blow boots again today.

How will last evening’s liquid refreshments take their toll today?

0800: The wind is swinging back to the forecast NE direction. Many competitors are up and about having their breakfast, chatting about what they can remember from the night before, and merry in the thought that their in for a pleasant day’s racing….

0900: During the last hour the wind has settled to NNE sort of direction and has been starting to blow. Perhaps the forecast will be correct. Clearly the earlier situation was due to the wind taking in a deep breath, and it’s getting ready to blow out!

1100: What a wonderful day. Good steady breeze, until the squalls come through that is! There’s a lot of apathy at present, and part of the problem is the challenge of launching and recovering the boats with an onshore wind. It seems unlikely that the situation will settle until Murphy’s law kicks in after the racing cancelled flag has been flown!

At least the observations are starting to reflect what is happening here.

With no sign of the wind abating, the OD has cancelled further racing, so the overnight�results�stand

Commodore Steve Hunt thanked everyone for their help, with a special award to Dave and Lynn Lawson for their hard work launching and retrieving the boats yesterday. Prizes were awarded by Steve’s wife Elaine. Winner of the silver fleet was Mark Somerville and Mike Cowan, with the classic fleet prize going to Keith Thomas and Ian Smith, all from Bass

Saturday

The day has started with a bright and breezy morning, and the forecast suggests this will continue and pick up for Sunday – Perhaps the beefcakes will have the advantage this weekend?!

Highlight of the morning was getting Phil Evans to dig in his pocket and pay for the drinks (teas and coffees that is!)!

There is a total of 23 entries. The onshore winds made launching a challenging, slow process. Neil Platt came ashore for a replacement spinnaker pole but unfortunately he was late for the start forcing him to work his way up the fleet.

Conditions were gusty causing spinnaker legs and gybe marks to be exciting and challenging. Dave and Sally McKee of Dovestone won the first race from Phil Evans and Richard Rigg of Windermere. Best Bass boat being Scott Beattie and John Somerville.

Parts of the second race were interesting when the club handicap course merged with the FF fleet, especially when Commodore Steve Hunt� was rounding the mark which forced one F15 to round wide as Ruth tried to take down the gennaker. There was an unbelievable call (as far Steve’s wife is concerned) when he hailed that he HAD heard a shout of starboard by a F15! Phil Evans took command of the 2nd and 3rd races with two wins. Howard Green with Ian Preston sailed well to secure a 2nd in race 2 with best Bass finisher being Scumper and Toggle in Mik Chappell’s boat (No, not his Mirror!)

The race continued to blow for race three, and there was a general recall to slow up proceedings a little. The desire to give variety in the courses resulted in a need for boats to be fully aware of boats on different legs of the course so that there were no collisions. Gybing from reach to close reach was proving to be a struggle, but it was experience that shone through. This time it was Neil Platt and Alistair Ramsden’s turn to take 2nd place, and Scumper was again best Bass boat, having being in the lead at the start of the 2nd beat.

Overnight leader is Phil Evans ahead of Howard Green. Best Bass boat being Scott Beattie in 5th overall.

Green award for the day (but nothing to do with Howard) goes to Janet Lefton of Royal Windermere. After sailing three races with Dave Brockbank, she cycled home to Windermere(?)! Not sure whether she’s cycling back tomorrow.

Will tomorrow’s forecast of stronger winds be correct?

Watch this space for up to date information and�results

In club racing, Steve and Ruth pipped William and Ian Macpherson at the post. Dave Lawson tried his hand in Toggle’s Vareo and finished 3rd. Steve, Dave and Hugh Godfrey, all had a bit of capsize practice, though Steve through in an extra one for good measure in front of the clubhouse as he came ashore

The warmest bank holiday weekend of the year, with a strong southerly breeze, greeted a fleet of nine catapult association sailors for their national championship. The gusts caught out some sailors and results in a capsize – catamarans not being easy boats to right! With a southerly being the ideal direction for going round the lake, the OD set a course right to the southern end – a 35min beat, followed by a zigzag reaching course back to the finish. After 2 races, Roger Hodgkinson of Herne Bay is in the lead with a 2nd and a 1st.

Club racing took place alongside the Catapults with another two races in the Barf Plate series.� In the first race Steve and Ruth took the lead from Scumper and Zepher on the penultimate reach before the finish, and won the race on handicap.

The race around the lake proved to be hard slog even for the beefcakes. William and Elaine were first to 12 out of the RS400s, but Mike Moore and Kayla in an F15 were not too far behind. Scumper took the lead and broke away on the reach to 11 after William gybed and wineglassed his gennaker. As the fleet sailed the final beat from 1 to 0, the shadow of Sale Fell caused the relative positions to go somewhat awry. Robbie D and Phil Hodgkins passed Bean and Naomi, but Mike Moore held his position and won on handicap

Sat 12pm: Too many people must have been looking at the forecast to travel today! That includes club members. Of those that have turned up there are presently 5 boats preparing to venture out. Whether they stay up or out is a totally different matter.

1.45pm: Stay upright? No chance! The first capsize was by Paul at rescue boat moorings. Big E and Toggle were both doing capsize practice before the start as well. Andy and Emma were the first to get across the lake, no gennaker, but flying! There were only three starters – Scumper and Zepher in an RS400, Andy and Emma in an RS200 and Big E in a Laser.

2pm: Scumper was the only boat to make it to the windward mark, so no pressure. Didn’t stop them put up their gennaker offwind. Then they capsized (Kayla had a 5p bet saying they wouldn’t!) – nil points for style. The boat went straight over again, and then they got their act together and put the gennaker up again. The next capsize was much more spectacular – Well worth watching!

2.30pm: Will they finish the race? Yes, Scumper did finish and then went to pose for T who was taking some photos!

2.45pm: With the wind easing, it looks as if the OD is going to send the fleet out for more.

4.45pm: And he did. There were several more takers this time, and a few more finishers too, but not quite so many capsizes – only the single handers and Barry Lancaster in a National 12.

T was in a rescue boat, taking more photos and all up for giving William and Elaine a bit of banter for not flying their gennaker. Robbie D had the same thought. Shame William had left his in the garage! Elaine was all for borrowing Steve’s only to find it had a hole in it.

It was to be the visiting Albacore helmed by Judy Armstrong with husband Paul that won the race from Scumper by 40secs on handicap. Bean and Naomi’s dash from Newcastle was worth it, when they secured third overall. Three more races tomorrow, but the forecast is for much less wind

Andy’s Tip of the Day: Don’t let the air out of your drysuit when you’re in the water and a wave’s crashing over you because the water gets in!

The mist came down early Sunday morning, and was lifting. There was some air movement towards Scarness but would it make it to the Northern end? The betting was yes, by 1130! The general forecast was not good though.

While waiting for the wind it was time to catch up on the gossip. The days of the ladies using (or sharing?!) the gents showers may be over. A well known amenable plumber (any clues from the photo? Any guesses where the tattoo is?) had a session in the ladies showers, together with several male and female onlookers, with pleasing results. There was an offer to test the showers for an hour, but that is yet to be taken up! All in all, the showers now get the ladies wet, all be it for only a few seconds at a time. Such is life 🙂

The wind did not fill in, and with little prospect of it doing so racing was cancelled at 1pm so the overnight results stand.

The prizes were presented by the Commodore’s wife, Elaine Hunt

Bassenthwaite are pleased to host the very first open meeting in this new series with 13 entrants. It should prove to be extremely memorable for the sailors with sunshine, rain, hail and snow, drifters, and gales passing through.

Out of the Bass retro team Toggle took the laser fleet in a boat borrowed from Andy T. Shame he forgot to release the kicker when the squall came in as he now owes T a new boom! Upon questioning about the incident from Robbie D and Roy, Toggle was rendered speechless! There’s always a first time for everything!

The conditions have been variable throughout each race, but Scumper has managed to master the conditions and after two races he is on equal points, but in the lead from Dylan Noble from Ullswater.

The two disqualifications were due to failing to unwind correctly after rounding a mark the wrong way.

In the final race Scumper was in front of his main rival Dylan, took the wrong side of the final beat and dropped from 2nd to 7th which was enough for Dylan to take the trophy on equal points but split by best position in the final race.

Overall Results

Club racing took a bit of a back seat. Boats that went out for a 230ish start (well it does tend to be casual!) noted that the committee boat team were shorebound, but would be back in 5 minutes. Some 30mins alter, after the winds had eased, and picked up to very blustery conditions, complete with hail stones the committee boat team were heading out again, as the sailors had had enough and headed home! Racing did get underway, but not many of the starts had any of the relevant fleet near the line! Kayla had ventured out for her first sail IN a year with William and survived without a capsize – that must be a record in itself!

The weather finally brightened up towards the end of the last race, and the results mirrored that of the first race of the� afternoon. As the boats came ashore the wind faded totally and Pauline was horrified that Dave and Sarah had to be towed ashore….

Will the Winter set in even harder tomorrow?