After the sweltering temperatures earlier in the week, nature decided it was time to water the gardens with persistent rain/drizzle, and Bass was no exception. With a lack of wind, the lake looked grey, idyllic, but not particularly suitable racing conditions for the weekend’s fleet challenge series.
As the scheduled start time approached, several crews prepared their boats despite little sign of any wind. The OD took to the water and was pleasantly surprised that there was more wind than the rippling waters suggested, and certainly enough for a race. In case the wind faded again a tight, triangular course was set, then the wind backed to the west, so the course was reversed, and racing got underway. The wind later veered to the NW, losing the beat so the race was shortened, the course reversed again and next race sequence began, only for the almost inevitable backer to the W to kick in again. A brief postponement while the course was reversed again and the final race of the day was underway.
The results for the day were consistent with Paul/Vicky in a GP taking two 1sts, Steve in a Solo two 2nds, and Mike in a Streaker two 3rds!
If Saturday was the wet day, Sunday proved to be the windless one, as there was hardly a ripple on the lake around the start time for the morning race. Prospective competitors sat and waited before deciding it was time for an early lunch. Soon after some ripples appeared and the Bates went out with a threat that, if wind was found, there would be seven minutes to the start – postponement down and commence sequence. This got crews moving!
But it wasn’t long before the OD was heading back ashore and raising flag N. By this point it had become rather warm so most returned to the grass or the tables to soak up the heat.
Banter, having forgotten to take down the flags, swam out to the Bates to lower them! So the overnight results stand, with the trophy going to Paul/Vicky Bowmer.
At least it meant more time for those who were down to move boats not entered for Bass Week into the back field.
For a pleasant change there was a good wind forecast for the whole weekend, over which a club championship series is being held. The day started with some youth sail training. The wind freshened as the afternoon went on, and there were surprisingly few capsizes. Though a notable one was Val and Ken, having been in the lead earlier in the race, if only because they were caught on camera before colliding with the Bates after righting. The Bates seemed to be a risky place to be with Simon/Jon avoiding colliding with it, and then Mike/Kayla, just before the start of the second race.
As the fleet of 17 boats, in which it was great to have so many young sailors, prepared for the Mirror Inland Championship, the lake had numerous calm patches which the forecast didn’t instil confidence in many that they would disappear. However, shortly before the scheduled start the wind did settle and fill the lake.
As the nights draw in after the summer solstice, the high pressure left us with clear skies and light variable winds.
With less than a week until the longest day, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the temperature has improved and the sun is shining. Add a good force 4 from the SW and you have near perfect conditions for Saturday racing.
A failure to closely watch the flags had only Paul Gannon on the handicap fleet start line, with other stragglers some minutes behind! There were several capsizes, and a couple of subsequent retirements. On handicap Paul came a close 2nd to Rich Critchley in a Solo. Despite not knowing the course, and almost being misguided by Neil, Rich won the afternoon race as well with Hugh 2nd. Neil had been lying 2nd to Hugh, but rounded mark A incorrectly, trying to call Hugh back. It was only when Tim said he should have rounded it to port that he returned, and then capsized, losing two places in the process! Ethan capsized his RS100 with his kite up which he struggled to release the halyard. When he did eventually right the boat, he was shattered and called it a day.
