Great winds were forecast for the first day of racing with a fleet of 28 boats.

The wind was erring towards a southerly, which would mean some good long beats down the lake. However, a touch of westerly had the wind swinging around Sale Fell from time to time. This was apparent in the first race when the beat became a little one sided, and the OD starred to have kittens. However, there was some close racing, and Matt Thursfield secured his first win of the day.

After checking the southern end of the lake for a consistent breeze, it was decided to use that part of the lake for race 2. Racing started in a good southerly, but 10 mins in and it was no longer a steady wind… Holes appeared, major shifts, and much frustration. Just after shortening the course, the wind filled on the western side of the course which wasn’t where the leaders were, and Matt romped home with his second win.

The course area reverted to the northern bay for race 3 where there was a good westerly (and it wasn’t even a sea breeze!). The wind was swinging a little, but there was good close racing in excellent conditions. Bass’s Dave/Lynn Lawson took an early lead, built on it leg by leg, and held it to the finish.

With the forecast of lighter winds for Sunday, the OD continued with the quest to sail four races. The conditions held to get another good race in which, early on had Bass in the first three places. However, it wasn’t to last, but GP treasurer Paul Bowmer flew the flag for Bass and led the fleet at the finish.

Overnight positions had Matt in the lead, with Paul, Dave and Commodore Andy Smith, all from Bass, taking the next three places.

With two further races to sail, what would Sunday’s weather bring? Answer – a better than expected southerly. Would the OD chance using the southern end of the lake again? Once bitten…

Despite the 10.30 start being a challenge for some to get to the line, there were three boats that had to be recalled for being over the line. As none returned, they only discovered they had erred as they crossed the finish line but without a hoot. The most unfortunate offender was Commodore Andy Smith who built up a strong lead, which he held all the way, scuppering his chances in the championship.

The final race was held in the northern bay as well. Dave/Lynn took the lead from the windward mark. Despite being challenged by Richard Instone, they stayed ahead, winning the race and the championship – a great bonus for Lynn’s birthday! The remaining contenders for the championship, Matt and Paul, were 3rd and 5th respectively finishing 2nd and 3rd overall, but in equal points. Obviously a close run, challenging championship that was enjoyed by all.

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Final results

29 boats across three fleets took to the water for three races in a one day open. The weather proved to be a very mixed bag ranging from bright and sunny to dull and drizzle/rain. Windwise, everytime the OD set a line, the wind swung drastically. After about half an hour of delays, the line was set, the wind again swung, but the OD opted to get racing underway despite the challenge of a running start in light airs. The wind continued to swing and many boats had to beat on each leg of the triangular course!

After the first race there was a lunch break and the �wind came in with fits and starts.�It seemed that an�earlier SE breeze was settling in, and race 2 got underway. It wasn’t long before the wind swung again with Sale Fell partially shadowing the course, and turning the beat into a fetch.

After yet another wind swing to the west, the last race race wasn’t looking promising when the wind faded for the Laser start, but it did freshen, settle in direction and resulted in the best sailing conditions of the event.

Although Henry and Jamie Rastrick from Ripon had a poor first race, they pulled it together and improved over the following races finishing with�a net 3 pts, the same as David and Edward Coady from Derwent Reservoir. The tie was split in the Rastrick’s favour on the last race.

Similarly, Tony Bamforth from Annandale improved his positions in each of the races finishing with an unbeatable net 3 pts. Tim Luke from Killington and our own Ethan Dawson battled it out for 2nd place, each finishing with a net 4 pts, the tie being split in Ethan’s favour on the last race.

The Topper fleet was a good selection of Bass junior helms in which Harry Binns led the way (while the others seemed to do a lot of chatting as the sailed round) in the first two races to win overall. Jamie Kerr came 2nd overall with 3 pts, while David Rodger’s 2nd split a tie with Hazel Newport in his favour to finish 3rd and 4th respectively.

Final results

Sunday’s forecast was for more of the same, and the major windshift after the start of the morning race was certainly reminiscent of Saturday. The Asymmetric’s windward/leeward course almost became reach/reach as the wind curved round Sale Fell, while the handicap fleet had to make do with a couple of very one sided beats. Lulls in the wind lost vital seconds for Mike/Kayla who finished 2nd on handicap to Dave/Lynn. AJ panicked while he was doing well, forcing Val/Ken to keep clear by tacking off on a fetch! He then took the rounded the next mark the wrong way, losing much ground. In the Asymmetrics, Joan/Jack described the winds as being similar to going round the lake, but still beat Toggle on handicap.

The SW wind direction held throughout lunchtime and strengthened to give some great racing conditions, if somewhat shifty, and there were numerous capsizes. Fortunately there was no sign of the forecast rain showers, just glorious sunshine! AJ was struggling to find forward gear on the start line, but eventually got underway, then opting to retire early. Mike/Kayla had written down the course incorrectly, rounding 0 the wrong way, realised their mistake, and unwound only to be told by Toggle that the mark was to starboard, so they unwound again, and yet again when they watched Tog round 0 to port! Chris/Julie took full advantage of the pandemonium, but Mike would eventually take the lead again.

Toggle nosedived at one stage, and promptly capsized (what was he thinking of?!) Ethan found it a struggle to release the mainsheet to depower because as he leaned in, the boat tipped, eventually resulting in a quick capsize. In the Toppers, Izzie survived several capsizes before retiring, but Hazel sailed well and completed the course, having led all the way.

Latest results – MJM/Asymmetric Blencathra Trophy etc

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There is a healthy list of entrants for this weekend’s GP14 End of Season Open Championship. The forecast was for some good winds (with a touch of rain!). The rain held off, but the wind swung more to the South resulting in Sale Fell having its inimitable effect on the sailing area.

It took three goes before there was a clean start, and that was only due to the black flag having an effect! Neil Marsden took an early lead, which he strengthened and won the first race. The Sale Fell effect resulted in occasional squalls passing through the course and catching out some sailors, seemingly capsizing in pairs!

The second race enjoyed a cleaner start, with just two early starters. Unfortunately one didn’t return…

Although the course area was similar, there were some unfortunate shadows on the left hand side of the course at times, causing some bunching initially, challenging conditions, and changes in positions.

Matt Thursfield came out best, and held his lead to the finish, with Mike Senior 2nd. Neil Marsden secured 4th and is overnight leader, on equal points with Mike Senior.

On Saturday evening there was a formal dinner to celebrate the end of this year’s GP Grand Prix, followed by a prize giving.

Sunday started damp but faired with the forecast SE breeze, though without the forecast force 6 gusts! Eager starters quickly toed the line with the reintroduction of the black flag.

Although Mike Senior was first to start at +2 secs, Neil Marsden again held him off in the shifty conditions. The occasional gusts led to a couple of capsizes, and there some unfortunate collisions. Dave Gebhard had sailed well, holding 3rd place but capsized at the penultimate mark, and again on the final beat, before retiring. In the Vintage fleet, Steve Parry with a jubilant stand in novice Bass crew, Louise Rodger, secured a healthy lead to take their 3rd win, and the series.

Despite a desire by several sailors to take advantage of the full length of the course area, the OD must have taken pity on Neil Marsden who admitted to being shattered after race 3, and kept the course in the main bay. The Commodore’s claim to sailing fame over the weekend was getting the best start in the last race! Though in a strong position, Neil Marsden defended his lead by covering Mike Senior’s every move. By the end of the first beat Andy Tunnicliffe took a lead which he held to the finish, with Neil working his way through to 2nd, thereby securing the series. Best Bass finisher (apart from Louise), was Dave Lawson who came 7th.

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