While the country prepares for a(nother) heatwave, Bass had blue skies and sunshine with a crisp westerly breeze. The weekend racing comprises a series of four races, with a mass start for all fleets, and results calculated on a fleet handicap basis.

13 boats, mainly single handers, raced, with various different leaders on the water throughout the afternoon. Banter was challenging himself to stay upright as he was getting to grips with his RS 300, but some others were not quite as skillful, and capsized.

Dave/Lynn in their GP sailed well, winning both races, with Robbie  D in his Solo securing two 2nds. Oscar sailed well in his Tera, and is just one place behind his dad, Banter, in the overnight positions!

On Sunday morning the webcam showed little sign of wind, though it did fill in to some extent after 11am, albeit from the wrong direction! By noon many had finished their early lunch and were keen to get racing. As the OD took to the water, the wind faded, but fortunately it was due to the forecast westerly taking over.

Racing got underway just after 1pm. As ever there were some big swings in the wind to contend with which, perhaps, worked in Val/Ken’s favour as they were first to the windward mark. It wasn’t until the second lap that Dave/Lynn took the lead.

In the final race Mike/Jack led at the windward mark followed by Val/Ken. Val broke through to lead and held it to the end of the lap before Dave passed them through to the finish. This gave Dave/Lynn four wins on the water and on handicap to win Fleet Challenge A trophy.

Chris/Beth in their 200 were the only ones to practice their capsize techniques- expertly executed as they were quickly up and sailing again without getting very wet!

Val/Ken had two 2nds and 3 points for being OD on Saturday making them 2nd overall, with Mike/Jack 3rd, counting three 3rds.

Final results

With the thought of yet another “N” flag looming large, four intrepid boats rigged giving the Race Officer the hint that sailing might be possible. A small triangular course was duly set in a barely perceptible Westerly and Mike and Jack disappeared over the horizon in their own private breeze! With more windless patches appearing over the course, Mike and Jack somehow managed to maintain their momentum and had successfully completed one lap before Simon and Richard had managed to cross the start line as they were left stuck in a windless area.

The GPs elected to stay ashore and as Val’s voice echoed across the lake summoning all to supper, the course was shortened.

Beautiful blue skies and a blustery/shifty Westerly greeted the 11 boats who ventured onto the water.

Once again there was a healthy turnout of Teras who all coped well with the tricky conditions. The fleet got away on a port-biased line although Rory was OCS and failed to return. First to the windward mark was John in his Solo but he touched the mark and lost ground doing penalty turns.

Racing was very close over 4 laps with plenty of place changing as the wind shifted and gusted. At the finish, Alex led John by 5 seconds with Val & Ken and James & Jenny close behind. James Reekie in his Tera Sport chased the Tera Pros home and all adjourned for a pie supper supplied by Val and the bar was open too!

Latest NJ results

Competitors were greeted by a strong and gusty wind with rain squalls and there was little enthusiasm for launching.

The Race Officer (AJ) made the popular decision to abandon racing and everyone adjourned for a delicious pie supper courtesy of Val.

Unusually, Saturday’s forecast for light winds proved to be accurate, resulting in a small turnout of eight boats for the next races in the MJM series.

Shortly after the start, the wind eased, so the race was shortened at the end of the first lap, but the lead boats were happy to wait while Oliver persevered to complete the lap in his Tera. On handicap Mike/Jack in a Graduate won, followed by Phil/Oscar in RS200

Although the northerly wind was still very light, as numerous boats had waited for another race, it seemed it would be a shame if it didn’t happen, so as soon as Oliver finished the new start sequence commenced.

Alan/Sue in a GP, and Eric in a Mirror, started but, with little prospect of the wind returning, they soon opted to retire to shore. Though the first beat was half that of the previous race, it still took Mike/Jack 14 mins to reach the windward mark! Very soon afterwards a light breeze came in from the east creating the second beat on a three leg course! With the boats still being grouped close together, they were sent round for another lap. Fortunately the wind held, but it continued to swing finally resulting in a southerly. Mike/Jack took their second win of the day, with Ian Hall 2nd

Latest MJM results

Sunday started with a SE breeze and an OD keen to set a course to 12! Though it did not happen, the sailors still enjoyed some good sailing in an unusally steady wind. Angus/Mike in a F15 led the fleet around the course, but were beaten on handicap by Joe in his Laser.

During the lunch break, the wind strengthened, and white horses appeared, only to disppear to leave fickle airs for a while. When setting out to start the next race, the OD noted the wind was steadier down the lake, so set 10 as a windward mark, seemingly to the dismay of Andy in a Solo! However, despite a 25 min beat, the fleet enjoyed more great sailing conditions to blow away the odd cobweb.

Angus/Mike led the handicap fleet again, and won on handicap 21 secs ahead of Andy, with Mike/Jack in their Graducate 3rd.

In the GPs, Val/Ken had two wins, with AJ/Sue 2nd in both races which was sufficient to maintain their lead in the series.

Latest BL etc results

Our second bank holiday weekend of the season welcomed the friendly inflatable Catapult fleet 

Saturday racing was for Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy in which there were 28 boats, and it was won by Matt/Oliver in a 2000 in a tie break from Dave/Lynn in their GP

Final results

Sunday and Monday were planned as a five race series.  We were fortunate on the former day as the wind had swung SE giving a long beat to 6 and some excitement offwind blasting.  After a break two races were sailed back to back with a shorter beat being used.

On Monday there was a general lack of wind and at 1330 racing was abandoned.

May bank holiday championship series results