Saturday started bright and windy, but as the fleet headed to the start the heavens opened, and hardly eased for the rest of the afternoon. The gusty winds caused a few capsizes even before racing started but everyone made the race. During the second lap the wind started to swing, and ease to almost drifting conditions by the time all boats had finished.

With the wind having swung through 180 degrees, it wasn’t looking promising for a second race, but the original westerly quickly returned, though slightly lighter, so the line was quickly reset, and another short race got underway (there’s only so much rain the committee boat team can cope with!)

Ethan led both races in his RS100, and by taking advantage of the better winds he secured two wins. John/Jack in their GP took 2nd in the first race, but fearing the wind had gone headed straight ashore. Dave in a Laser Radial had a 3rd and a 2nd, so is 2nd overall overnight.

Those that returned on Sunday found it was raining as much as Saturday (perhaps its had rained all night?), and the wind had disappeared. However, this did not totally dampen everyone’s enthusiasm as there was an interest in racing if possible. By 11.30 there was a hint that the rain was passing through, with some wind appearing from the SE, so the OD opted to test the sailor’s mettle, and arranged for the rescue boats to be launched before heading out to set a start. With the wind failing to settle from a given direction, it was after 1pm before racing got underway for five contenders, despite it being in the lightest of conditions, and a reaching start.

The wind filled in from the forecast NW direction, AJ/Sue reached the windward mark first ahead of Ethan in his RS100, and things looked promising. In fact they were sailing so well the race continued into the 2nd lap, only for the wind to ease yet again, so the race was shortened at the next mark. There would be no more racing, but at least it was a sunny afternoon, such a change from the morning.

Although AJ beat Ethan on handicap by a matter of seconds, Ethan won the Tinker Trophy series overall, with AJ 2nd, and Nigel/Glenys 3rd

Tinker Trophy final results

It didn�t look too promising just prior to the first race with a W trying to reach f1 and calm water.  Did I say westerly?  The turbines were blowing from NNE!  But the Bass wind soon swung to that direction which gave a start from 0 and a course of 1-B-9-0.

Of the four competitors AJ / Sue and Paul were soon vying for the lead, with James & Jenny�s newly acquired green machine (a pristine GP for those who haven�t seen it) just ahead of Barbara.

With the wind dying the course was shortened to 1 lap which suited all.  And so did the abandonment of the after-lunch race.  AJ reckoned there was wind down the lake but it would have taken a long paddle to get to it!

Final results

A glorious winter style cold morning, with clear blue skies, but a lack of wind was not looking too promising for the day’s racing. The wind filled in enough for the committee boat to take to the water, but it quickly faded, even before the fleet was launched! After a while various boats went out for a sail in some light airs, but the wind never filled in sufficiently for a race, which was later cancelled for the day.

Latest results

Now that November is here, it is Sunday only racing (isn’t it Mik?!) for the Winter Trophy. There was a cold light wind that picked up slightly over the course of the morning, and light rain to boot!

Eight boats competed, no capsizes, with some close racing and four boats finishing less than 17 secs apart on handicap in the morning race, two of which tied – AJ/Sue and Peter. The wind eased after lunch, and continued to do so throughout the race. Although Peter established an early lead, he lost ground in the calm patches as the wind started to fade and AJ secured 1st place, with Peter 2nd. Shortly after the boats returned to shore, the lake was like a mill pond.

Latest results

The bonfire celebrations are being held on Saturday 9th from 6pm – please bring a display firework, and drop off any spare wood that you may have for the bonfire.

After a wet, night, and a calm morning, the wind freshened as the afternoon went on, and the sun shone, revealing a snow capped Skiddaw as the rain clouds disappeared.

There was a fleet of 11 boats, some suffering mixed fortunes. Steve/John in their GP, headed for wrong marks, and capsized getting their mast in the mud, but righted it and finished the race – all part of the learning curve! Paul had a great start in the 2nd race, but lost the benefit when he, too, capsized. AJ was getting giddy doing turns again, though he seemed to suggest Sue was at fault (I wonder if he still has a crew available for Sunday?…) It was the Solos that fared best with Tony winning both races, Paul 2nd in the first, and Rory 2nd in the last race. Paul wins the series on fleet handicap with AJ/Sue 2nd.

Final results Autumn Saturday Series

Here’s another video from John of his first October race.

With the clocks going back, perhaps many enjoyed their lie in, and did not fancy a sail as only three helms turned up in the morning, and another couple in the afternoon, for what turned out to be another sunny, but cool, day with a force 1/2. The GPs shared the honours, with AH/Sue winning the morning race, and Joan/Jack in the afternoon.

Overall, Mike/Eric won on fleet handicap, and AJ/Sue on personal handicap.

Final results Autumn Sunday Series