There was a great turnout of more than 30 boats for this year’s GNAC. The sun was shining with a cool wind blowing from the north east which proved to be frustratingly changeable throughout the afternoon.

The wind was reasonably well behaved for the first race, though there were opportunities to gain from the timing of the shifts and the gusts passing over the course. The conditions suited the RS400s most of all which took the first four positions, led by Barrie Thornton and Nick Hunt from Scaling Dam.

Despite adjusting the beat for race 2, the wind shifted further early on the first leg to the extent that the race was abandoned before the fleet reached the leeward gate. That was the start of the nightmare for the OD, trying to determine the likely mean position for a beat in the constantly swinging wind. A new line was set (a couple of times) before racing started again, but there were still advantages of being in the right place at the right time to gain from the shifts, and variations in wind strength. The race was won by Chris Pickles and Mark Lunn from Delph in their RS400 .

During the scheduled break for tea, the wind seemed to be easing as it swung further to the south east. However, another two races were sailed in conditions that were generally better than earlier, and had a greater mix of fleets at the front with race 3 being won by Peter Lawson and Guy Wheeler from Killington Lake in a Laser 2000, and race 4 by Pierce Harris and Alfie Cogger from Windermere School in a 29er.

Overnight positions had just 2.5 pts between the first four boats being led by Paul and Jude Allen in their RS400 from Bassenthwaite

Sunday started with more sun and the wind back from the North West. The OD gave the fleet a few minutes leeway before starting race 5 but some stragglers were pleased that there was a general recall! In a repeat of Saturday the wind swung more to the east creating a very one sided beat, and the need to shorten the race after 20 mins.

The beat was reset for race 6, and a freshening of the breeze just before the start resulted in three being OCS. The gusts caught some out causing them to capsize. Also there was one beating helm who narrowly avoided being skewered by a reaching RS200 in a port/starboard incident.

There were two final races held after lunch break, which started in lighter airs, but just like the rest of the weekend, nothing remained consistent for too long. The shifts, gusts, and lulls continued to give some challenging and exciting racing.

Paul and Jude Allen were OCS in the final race, but when the final results were calculated they had sufficient points in the bag to maintain their overnight lead and win the Great North Asymmetric Challenge 2018!

Photographs from throughout the weekend taken by Peter Makin can be seen at�https://www.pdmphoto.co.uk/GNAC-2018
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Final results

A mirror like morning lake was not reflecting the longer term forecast, but the wind quickly filled in for the 18 boats racing in the annual Viking Trophy which is awarded to the best performing team of three. However, the wind quickly filled in to provide some great racing conditions, though a squall during the first start made everyone wonder how many races we would manage to get in.

The squall did pass through, but the base wind level remained force 4. The gusts flattened one or two boats, and consequently shredded a spinnaker! No one chanced flying a spinnaker on the reaches, not that there was a need to, but they were flown on the runs, with some spectacular planing conditions.

The first two races were led by Simon Longstaff/Jon Denwood and Neil Currie/Rory Yardley, but Steve Goacher/Tim Harper quietly pulled through to win both races, and he led the final race from the start, with Mark Somerville/Mike Cowan securing a good 2nd place. Not surprisingly, Steve’s team are overnight leaders.

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As can be seen, Sally thoroughly enjoyed herself, and never gave a thought to her panda eyes!

Would the winds be kind so we can get the two remaining races in? No chance! If Steve Goacher says it’s windy, is anyone going to challenge him?! So the overnight results stand, despite Simon Longstaff trying to manipulate an alternate resolution…

After packing up their boats, there was an early prize giving in which everyone was a winner. In a close run contest, Ian Preston would have been awarded the Grotty Potty for having his boat pre-launched (well the tide came in to almost have it floating), but he was disqualified by not entering, so Athol King antics of falling out of his boat four times put him in pole position ahead of Mike Moore who was knocked out of the boat, hung on by a leg and holding the tiller, but struggled to pull his head out of the water!

Ian Preston got another mention from his friends at Blackpool and Fleetwood for failing to provide the breakfast bacon baps they had travelled all this way to enjoy!

In support of Countryfile�s nationwide ramble for Children in Need, all the sailors sponsored Jon Denwood who has gone for a ramble around Sale Fell with Neil Currie. Contact him if you want to sponsor his efforts.

Photo slideshow

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Gusting SW winds left some of the select group of competitors looking a little reluctant before the earlier than usual 11am start, but they did all venture out racing.

Despite an unimpressive start our own Tog was leading at the end of the first lap, but slipped back behind Tony King during the next lap. The conditions suited planing conditions at times, though after a brief heavy downpour the wind eased for a while. With two legs to go on the third and final lap Tony and Tog were neck and neck, and there was some cautionary calls re luffing, but Tog held the lead to the final mark. Tony tacked off, but Tog sailed the better route and went in to the lunch break in pole position.

After lunch, two races were sailed back to back with a depleted fleet. Tog may rested on his laurels too much because at the end of the first lap he was bringing up the rear of the fleet! He battled on and soon was up to 3rd, and then gained a bonus position when Tony had gear failure and had to retire, so he finished 2nd behind Alistair Banks (West Riding). Although Tog was in a good position going into the final race, Tony and Alistair were still in contention, as whichever one won the race would win overall! A capsize by Tog scuppered his chances, which left Tony and Alistair fighting it out to the finish. Tony took the winners bell, with Alistair 2nd, and Tog 3rd, the same as the overall finishing order, and they were all on equal points!

A glorious forecast tempted some last minute entries for this weekends open meetings. The sun shone and the wind blew from the west (give or take the 30 deg swings!). The shifting conditions did create some chances, and misfortunes, throughout the afternoon, but generally the same sailors were at the front.

The Laser open was a one day event consisting of three races. After two races Tim Keighley from West Riding and Dave Lawson each had a 1st and a 2nd, so the overall result would depend the last race, of which Dave took command securing an all important 1st and the open meeting trophy., with Tim 2nd. Joe Roberts improved his results each race finishing 3rd overall while Jim Leach from Hollowell was 4th.

Even Flying 15 world championship winning partnership Steve Goacher and Tim Harper found the conditions challenging. In the first race Dave and Sally McKee from Dovestone were proving difficult to shake off, while in the second race Graham Kirkpatrick with a guest appearance from Alan Smith took an early lead, but were passed by Ian Campbell and Lezliann Pearson, and then missed the start gate so had to return and slipped further down the pack, but it was Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood that would lead the fleet over the finish line. �The final race of the day, Steve led from start to finish to be overnight leader with Simon 2nd. On the last lap, surprisingly six boats rounded the wrong mark, and did not correct their error, giving Alan Jones the chance to record his best result of the day!

On Saturday evening, the F15 fleet celebrated Steve and Tim’s world championship win with a bbq and a few drinks, that for some continued through till dawn! Ah the joys of having onsite camping.

Sunday started overcast and lighter winds that were forecast to increase, which they did a little after racing started, but the shifty conditions continued, together with various holes that swallowed a couple of positions at different times. Steve, having plied his competition with drink the night before, quickly secured an impressive lead, and a guaranteed 1st overall in the open meeting, as Simon was one of those that lost a place to Andy Goddard from Dovestone, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively.

In the final race of the day Dave and Sally McKee took a lead which Steve couldn’t penetrate despite being on their tail all the time. This boosted their overall position to 3rd behind Simon and Jon.

Photo slideshow

With 65 boats in six fleets over racing over two courses, plenty of wind from the SE, and some rain to boot, it was certain to be a busy weekend. Fortunately the morning rain had stopped, and the wind eased, by the time the ODs took to the water to set the courses. As soon as they were ready, the competitors were allowed to launch, and the wind increased(!) with a few boats capsizing before racing commenced.

The wind did ease, but it constantly swung through 20-30 degrees, seemingly around different sides of Sale Fell, leading to different biases on the beat at different times. There was good, consistent sailing by many, with only a few retirements.

The wind shifted more to the SW just as the 2nd race started, but this time it didn’t swing back again, instead the fleets had to contend with brief squalls passing through. As the race continued, the squalls were more prolonged and caused various capsizes so the OD opted to shorten the course slightly early while conditions were still suitable. As the boats were finishing conditions continued to deteriorate and rescue crews worked hard taking sailors from numerous capsized boats which were recovered later.

After a short break once all were ashore, with no sign of an early abatement in the conditions, it was decided to postpone further racing until Sunday.

After a windy night, the conditions on Sunday remained too strong to consider racing, even after an hour’s postponement, so the outstanding races were cancelled.

A great selection of photos taken by John Spittle throughout Saturday’s racing are available to be viewed and purchased on the following website

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Bassenthwaite SC is pleased to be hosting this year’s�GP14 Inland Championship. With a mixture of winds forecast, there�is certain to be�some great competition.

First race scheduled for 12 Noon resulted in a general recall so they’ve burned their boats and it’ll be the I flag (or worse) moving forward!

The first race was unit led by Mike Senior, but the shifting conditions caused him to slip back, while others had some big gains. John Hayes took the winners gun with Fergus Barnham 2nd and Dave Lawson 3rd.

Andy Smith led race 2 through to the finish but the result will be subject to protest.

The wind faded just after the start of the third race but freshened again a couple of minutes later. Val and Ken managed it well and were 3rd around the windward mark. They did slip a few places thereafter but had a great race.

Andy Smith and Fergus Barnham had some close racing, swapping places a couple of times. Andy wishes he’d stuck to the key rule of winning – always cover on the final beat!!

Stronger than expected winds from the North East for the 2nd day’s racing but they were just as shifty! Overnight leader Fergus Barnham clinched his first win of the weekend and moved a step closer to winning the championship. Dave Lawson had a great race finishing 2nd

The shifting wind proved to be a challenge for the race officer for the start of race 5, and there were a couple of postponements to reset the line. Despite this, a couple of boats�were a bit too eager at the next start. Mike Senior took his first win of the weekend, while Fergus took third and secured an unassailable lead for the championship.

After Dave Lawson’s rest having been OCS in the previous race, he was on top form in the final race and won it with a strong lead from Mike Senior. This gave Dave 2nd overall and pushed Andy Smith into 3rd, with Mike Senior 4th.

Challenging conditions for all, but great racing all the same.

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With little wind during the morning, it seemed promising for some good sailing conditions for the 17 strong fleet of Flying 15s when the wind filled in from the south, despite the forecast being from the north east.

With mark 7 nowhere to be seen, should the OD send the fleet to mark 10 or 8? Taking the cautious option, mark 8 was set as the windward mark, and the start sequence began. A last minute shift made it difficult for the fleet to cross the line on starboard, so everyone had a clean start, though fleet captain Simon and Jon’s tack on to port was badly timed as they tried to squeeze through a non-existent gap… Jon Mathie and Olivia, a F15 virgin, led round the windward mark and the following leg, but not surprisingly, Steve Goacher strolled�through the ranks to take the lead as the wind eased. With the wind on the eastern shore disappearing, the OD opted to shorten the course at the end of the lap. Just as well mark 10 wasn’t the windward mark!

With the wind filling in from the forecast NE, the start line was moved to suit the new direction, but the wind faded altogether and the fleet came ashore for a cuppa. An hour later the wind came back from the NE with gusto, so it was back to the water for two further races, along with club racing. It was Neil Currie and Rory Yardley that took the honours in the 2nd race, and a few places back, Simon took the opportunity to implement some team racing by hanging back to sit on John Mathie up the final beat while team mate Robin Dawson secured 4th, with Simon 5th.

The wind held for the final race of the day, though backing slightly, the beat was one sided. Simon led from the windward through to the finish, with John and Olivia 2nd.

Sunday welcomed everyone with a stronger wind from the NE again. Various boats had spinnaker problems from trawling to not being able to take them down! Steve Goacher was back on form taking two wins, but kept looking back with the thought of helping his team mates come to the fore, but there was no obvious action taking place. Same couldn’t be said for Simon who again tried to slow opponents to let a�team mate gain a place, however it didn’t work today�as he tried to hold back Nigel Tullett, but Simon kept hold of his deserved 2nd place. Simon was over the line in the final race, so was neither use nor ornament, finishing 7th. Although, Nigel pulled through to 2nd in the final race ahead of Mike and Kayla, it wasn’t enough to bring the Goacher Gang to the fore, and it was The Committee from Bass that won the team racing event.

Last year’s Grotty Potty winner was so distraught that he wasn’t present to receive it, nominated himself to win it this year, not that AJ’s performance was sufficiently sparkling to warrant him nominating anyone else!

Only two club boats raced in the morning, and Val/Ken’s win secured them the FH trophy. They threw caution to the wind and sailed after lunch,�with Mike and Kayla joining in, as if they hadn’t raced enough in the morning, for the final race of the Autumn series. Mike won on FH but it didn’t affect Val’s 1st overall, but Val’s win on PH in the last race secured her the PH trophy as well!

Club racing�overall results.