Night Jar 1 – 25 April 19

A thunder storm was rolling around the hills in the late afternoon so there is was a question mark on whether we would have boats on the water and a race start.

But it was ok at Bass with a light southerly and we had twenty starters. Mind you, the Somervilles and Smiths had six boats between them Mark in the 100 was instructing Cameron in the Oppy while Matthew was doing his own thing in a Feva. Andy, with Lily as crew, were up against Katia in a Topper and Mother in one of the Powell Streakers (Don’t ask!).

The OD set a 1-9 beat followed by A-B-1. John’s Solo and James & Jenny’s 200 were the first pair of boats to round the windward mark and contested the first couple of legs with Neil’s Laser, Joan & Jack’s GP and Mike’s Streaker next up at the end of lap 1.

With the skies darkening and the weather closing in, the OD decided to finish a handful of boats after the first lap. These included Barbara in the Radial although she decided to carry on and complete the second lap.

The GP had made up considerable ground and was the first boat to finish on 2 laps. Neil also made up a place with other lead positions being unchanged. Richard Hughes amongst others, put in a good performance in his elderly Radial.

Susie, with AJ’s hindrance, had delicious food ready for each crew as they completed their stowing and changing.

Easter Bank Holiday

20 April, 2019

Final Easter Series results

The long bank holiday break started on Friday and focussed on getting plenty of kids on the water on both Friday and Saturday, especially as there was plenty of sunshine with light winds.

Despite mixed winds earlier in the day, the wind settled to the NW just in time for Saturday’s racing for the fleet of 26 boats. Keith Thomas seized the opportunity to sail when Sally offered her services; shame he didn’t quite get the spinnaker rigged properly before the first race!

Halfway through the second race the wind started to veer to the north, and then it faded for half an hour before filling in from the west, and consequently the handicap results were put into disarray somewhat.

Mike/Kayla won both races from Ian/Lezliann in the F15s, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn had two 1sts from Joan/Jack and AJ/Sue who each had a 2nd and a 3rd. Bean/Oliver won the first slow handicap race with Paul Allen 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, the Solos of John Reekie and Stan Barton led the first race, while Alex/Caroline in a RS400 won with Mik in a Mirror 2nd.

Latest MG Series results

In the evening there was an outdoor bring and eat in the back field followed by a game of rounders!

Easter Sunday started with and Easter egg hunt for the kids, and the weather delivered more sunshine and stronger winds from the west for the start of the weekend series of which three races would be sailed. Shortly after the start of the morning race the wind veered a little towards the north, causing the beat to be very one sided, and one of the tight reaches into a fetch which made it very difficult to pass other boats.

In the strong fleet of seven F15s Simon/Jon took the lead and held on to it ahead of Scumper/Zefer. Dave/Lynn took another win with Joan/Jack 2nd. Rich Critchley won the Handicap race in a Solo, with Steve/Ruth 2nd. In the Slow Handicap fleet, more junior sailors were encouraged to race increasing the fleet to nine boats with Optimists, extra Mirrors, a Tera and a Topper, but it was Rob/Elizabeth Cook that took the honours.

After lunch the wind was reinforced a little with a sea breeze for the final two, somewhat eventful, races of the day.

Simon/Jon were premature starters
Jonathan/Henry christened their RS200 with a capsize
Mike/Kayla had to do turns for Banter
Dave/Lynn gave the GP fleet a head start (but still went on to win!)
Emma got her course muddled and sailed with the Slow Handicap (in a Streaker)
Paul/Jude were sailed into the shadows of Sale Fell by some F15s
Mik raced without the aid of a kicking strap

Overnight leaders are Simon in the F15s, Dave in the GPs, Hugh in the Handicap, and Rob in the Slow Handicap

Monday was forecast to have the best sailing wind of the weekend, and on arrival there was a good southerly blowing which had various crews digging out their dry suits for a potential sail down the lake.

The OD opted to play it safe for the morning race and set a beat to 8. Soon after the start sequence commenced the wind was easing, so it was a slow first beat for everyone, but it did fill in again only to ease again after the F15s started the next lap. The split wind gave Scumper/Zefer a chance to go the opposite side of the beat to leaders Simon/Jon, and they took the lead when the wind caught them first.

As far as the F15s were concerned, there was everything to sail for in the final race which is partially why there was a port/starboard incident on the start line causing both Simon and Scumper to be doing turns! Simon ended up doing another set of turns for colliding with Ian. By the windward mark Mike/Kayla were in the lead, but Simon was ahead of Scumper, and stayed there to the end to win the series on count back.

The Slow Handicap fleet sailed a a smaller course that was shortened just before the other fleets rounded zero, though some of the other boats thought it was their finish too!

The afternoon winds held, and there were some good reaches to be enjoyed. A great way to finish the long weekend.

Some consistent sailing in the other fleets had wins in both races for Hugh in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPs, and Andy/Lily in the Slow Handicap, and they all won their series trophies.

Don’t forget that Thursday evening Night Jar series starts this week at 19:15 on 25th April. Catering will be available as usual. If you’re able to cater one evening please contact Alan Jones.

Great North Asymmetric Challenge 2019

13 April, 2019

Opens Racing No Comments

With Easter being late this year, GNAC is being held early, for which there was a fleet of 27 boats. Although the sun was shining, the cooler than usual, and stronger than forecast SE breeze put a few competitors off sailing. Those that sailed enjoyed some spectacular reaches, and several suffered capsizes to boot!

Four races were sailed back to back, which took its toll energy wise, and the numbers in each race decreased. Only one general recall, so no need for any black flags. The conditions suited the faster RS400s, led by Richard Catchpole and Gary Coop from Leigh and Lowton, which take up the first two places overnight, but Alastair and Evie Coates, also from Leigh and Lowton, had a brilliant afternoon in their RS Feva and are holding 3rd place overnight.

Sunday was neither as sunny, nor as windy generally, but there were again strong gusts of wind to add to the excitement to the offwind legs, and they seemed especially vicious on the beat at times. There were more capsizes, and numerous changes of position, and race winners, throughout the remaining four races, but overnight leaders Richard Catchpole and Gary Coop, through their consistent sailing, continued to top the leaderboard and win the series overall.

Alastair and Evie Coates led the slower handicap boats finishing a creditable 4th overall.

Overall winners Richard Catchpole and Gary Coop

Final results

Spring into Action

6 April, 2019

Championship Racing No Comments

Sun and a cool northerly breeze kept a fleet of 16 boats sailing for the first two races in the Barf Trophy and Spring Cup long series.

At the front of the fleet, Alex/Caroline in an RS400 and Steve/Ruth in a Merlin, had some close racing, while Ian/LezliAnn in a F15 were able to keep in the mix on handicap. Some of the beats proved to be a bit shifty and fluky to keep helms on their toes, but no one has yet claimed the first capsize of the season!

Steve won both races on handicap, with Ian 2nd in the first race and Alex 2nd in the second race, while in the GPs Dave/Lynn won both races with Mike/Eric taking 2nd place.

Sunday was overcast but with a stronger NE breeze, a direction which results in the shoreline near Armathwaite Hall creating light shifty airs. Fortunately there were no major positions lost to such challenging conditions, though treasure Mike Cave did claim the badge for the first capsize of the season. AJ/Sue got off to a flying start and were first to the windward mark, but it was not to last as Dave/Lynn pulled through to the lead taking the first win in the Mustard Pot with AJ 2nd. In the Handicap fleet, Stan in his Solo earned his first win of the season head of Robin/Erin in an RS200 in the Dodd Trophy.

Eric Twiname Trust Pennant results
Sandra’s Salver latest

The afternoon race was in aid of the Eric Twiname Trust, and typically sailed around the lake. With mark 11 hastily laid over the lunch break, at least the race would take the fleet around most of the lake. An incident just after the start resulted in three boats forming a raft; Neil Garrison accepted fault and did a 720. Dave/Lynn in their GP took an early lead but were passed by the Merlin and F15 on the next beat. The NE breeze looked promising for the next leg, a long reach from 3 to 11, and Steve/Ruth in the Merlin started to pull out a good lead as they sailed out of the Armathwaite shore shadow, however, as they approached the narrows, the wind quickly dropped with what turned out to be an opposing southerly wind. The conditions proved flukey and challenging for more than half an hour until the fleet reached the southerly breeze. With a risk of the return route being equally challenging, the race was shortened at mark 11. Although Steve had broken free from the rest of the fleet again, the bunching around Scarness Bay had done him no favours, and it was Dave that won on handicap, with Joe 2nd and Steve 4th. Lynn takes the lead in Sandra’s Salver for the best female crew in the pennant races

Starter’s Prize

31 March, 2019

There was a good turnout of members on Saturday to finalise preparations for the new season that coincided with the start of British Summer Time. The day finished with tea and cake to chat with and greet new members.

Sunday welcomed a fleet of 21 boats for the Starter’s Prize with some sunshine, and a light southerly.

With the sun over the yardarm, and having successfully got racing underway, the starting crew raised a glass of rum and coke in honour of Herb.

Alex/Jo in a RS400 broke away to lead the fleet through to the finish, but with the wind backing to the east, the course fell into Skiddaw’s shadow for a while, until the forecast easterly settled in just as Alex was finishing! On handicap Bean/Naomi and Robin/Erin in RS200s took 1st and 2nd places with Alex 3rd.

The wind was somewhat fickle and unsettled after lunch. Into the 2nd lap the wind disappeared for a while, but did return with some gusto for the finish. On handicap, the GPs of Andy/Phil and AJ/Sue were 1st and 2nd ahead of Bean/Naomi who won the series.

Final results

Great North Asymmetric Challenge

19 March, 2019

Opens Racing No Comments

Although our season has not yet started, preparations for our first open meeting are all in hand.

This year’s GNAC is being held on 13/14 April, eight windward leeward races scheduled, and entries are now open at via WebCollect

Early entries benefit from a £10 discount so don’t delay too long!

Annual Dinner

25 November, 2018

Championship News Racing Socials No Comments

2018 annual prize giving and dinner dance was held at the Crown Hotel, Wetheral and attended by 90 members and their guests. Commodore Robin Dawson gave a brief resume of the season before presenting the trophies.

Vice Commodore Naomi Smith thanked Robin for his efforts over his two years as Commodore and presented him with a photo

	Flying Fifteen Club Championship
	Brackenrigg Cup (1^st)	Mike Moore & Michaela Sheard
	Anderson Trophy (2^nd)	Ian Campbell & Lezli-Ann Pearson
	Wheel Trophy (3^rd)	Neil Currie & Rory Yardley
	Maurice Dalton Memorial Trophy (4^th)	Angus Corry & Mike Hunter
	Lawson Trophy (1^st classic)	Wendy & John Somerville
	Handicap Club Championship
	Osprey Trophy (1^st)	Joe Roberts
	T.S.B Trophy (2^nd)	Steve Hunt & Ruth Critchley
	Eagle Trophy (3^rd)	Mark Somerville
	Kirk Decanter (4^th)	Alex & Olivia Leonard
	1972 Trophy (1^st junior)	Ciaran McKettrick
	Arthur Carr Trophy (1^st Laser)	Joe Roberts
	GP14 Club Championship
	Elwyn Banner Mendus Cup (1^st)	Dave & Lynn Lawson
	Philp Prize (2^nd)	Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith
	Twiname Prize (3^rd)	Val & Ken Bell
	Hatrick Prize (4^th)	Alan Jones & Sue Watson
	Beginners Prize	Mark & Helen Hunt
	Slow Handicap Club Championship
	Mirror Trophy (1^st)	Phil & Oliver Smith
	Bassenthwaite Bell (year 1 progress)	Katia Smith
	Excalibur Trophy (1^st not Mirror/Topper)	Matthew Somerville
	The Kirkpatrick Trophy (1^st Topper)	Paul Gannon
	Iberia Cup (1^st under 16)	Josh Hunter
	Flying Fifteen Series Trophies
	Blencathra Trophy Scarness Cup Dawson Trophy Morgan Trophy Flying Enterprise Trophy Bryson Helms (Fleet B)	Mike Moore & Michaela Sheard
	Easterly Trophy	Ian Campbell & Lezli-Ann Pearson
	Jak Pot	Simon Longstaff & Jon Denwood
	Ullock Mug	Neil Currie & Rory Yardley
	Transom Trophy	Neil Currie & Rory Yardley
	Denton Trophy (Night Jar)	Tim Knowles & Martin Statter
	Handicap Series Trophies
	May Holiday Cup Grisedale Cup August Cup Comet Trophy	Mark Somerville
	Dodd Trophy Wythop Plate Skiddaw Trophy	Joe Roberts
		Joe Roberts
	Barf Plate	Steve Hunt & Ruth Critchley
	Isel Cup	Alex & Olivia Leonard
	Spring Holiday Plate (Fleet A)	Stan Barton
	Foxtail Trophy (Fleet B)	Mike Fairlamb
	Evening Plate (Night Jar overall winner)	John Reekie
	Easter Holiday Trophy	Tony King
	GP14 Series Trophies
	Bass Tankard Aitken Cup Harney Hetherington Trophy (Fleet A) Lyne Tankard Mustard Pot Commodores Prize	Dave & Lynn Lawson
		Dave & Lynn Lawson & Ken Bell
	Spring Cup (The Jak Plak)	Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith
	Graham Cup	Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith
	Night Jar	Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith
	McMillan Cup (June Cup)	Mike Fairlamb & Eric Smith
	Ross Wear Helm (Fleet B)	Val & Ken Bell
	Stables Prize	Paul & Vicky Bowmer
	Autumn Cup	Nigel Lewis & Glenys Kett
	Slow Handicap Series Trophies
	Reflection Trophy	Phil & Oliver Smith
	AB Series	Phil & Oliver Smith
	Round Table Tankard	Phil & Oliver Smith
	Peel Pot	Phil & Oliver Smith
	Windfall Trophy (Fleet A)	Mik Chappell
	The Albert Bates Trophy	Mik Chappell
	Singlehanded Trophy	Mik Chappell
	M Series (Night Jar PH winner & 1^st Mirror)	Katia & Andy Smith
	Red Sails Trophy	Jonathan & Henry Bullen
	Image Tankard	Phil & Rory Davenport
	Orsova Cup	Paul & Emily Clark
	Races & Series for All Classes
	October Sat Series FH & PH October Sun Series FH & PH Jubilee Sailing Trust	Dave & Lynn Lawson
	Eric Twiname Trust / Bass Burgee	Dave Lawson & Joe Roberts
	Banana Stakes	Mike Moore & Michaela Sheard
	Albert Bates Retirement	Mike Moore & Michaela Sheard
	Celebrity Glass Trophy	Mike Moore & Michaela Sheard
	Starters Prize	Phil & Naomi Smith
	Calvert Trust Pennant	Steve Hunt & Ruth Critchley
	Tinker Trophy	Anthony Woodyer & Joanna Van Lachterop
	Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy	Joe Roberts
	Night Jar under 16	Katia Smith
	Ladies Race	Val Bell & Rhonwen Bryce
	Senior Race	Mike Fairlamb & Ken Bell
	Junior Race	James Reekie
	2017 Winter Series Personal Handicap	Paul Gannon
	2017 Winter Series Fleet Handicap	Jim Christie
	Jimmy Lancaster Memorial Trophy	Alan Jones & Sue Watson
	RNLI Pennant	Paul & Vicky Bowmer
	Max Joule Memorial Trophy	Mik Chappell
	Special Prizes
	Sandra’s Salver	Michaela Sheard
	The Roger Pryde Memorial Trophy	Matthew Somerville
	Consistency Cup	Herb Telford

Wonders Never Cease

18 November, 2018

The final racing day of the season started with a light south-easterly in glorious sunshine. The sunshine stayed all day, but the breeze didn’t!

AJ/Sue holding their nerve as they approach the finish

With seven boats racing, the Bates took to the water, for a change, and set a course to mark 8, but soon after the start the wind eased, and then started to fill in lightly from the East. The main two boats in contention were AJ/Sue in their GP, and Peter in a Laser. AJ led from the windward mark, with Peter some way down the fleet, not that it eased AJ’s nerves as the 3rd leg from 4 to 0 had the boats running in the Easterly, rather than the expected reach, and, of course, the wind fills in from the back!

Despite the wind filling in a little, the OD opted to shorten the course at 0, much to AJ’s relief as he managed to hold on to his lead in the race (and the series), with Nigel/Glenys 2nd.

Shortly after the last boat finished, the wind dropped again, with the lake like a mill pond, and it seemed unlikely there would be a further race. However, the wind came back in with gusto minutes before the final decision was about to be made, so the final race was on, though AJ’s lead in the series was unassailable.

The wind behaved itself reasonably well for the sailors to enjoy the final race of the season, which was won by Peter, with Scumper 2nd, and AJ 3rd.

Final results

The AGM is being held in the clubhouse next Sunday 25 November, so come along and have your say!

Winter Series 3/4

11 November, 2018

After a lot of recent rain the lake has risen 250mm over the last couple of days. Fortunately the rain held off for Sunday’s racing, though the showers could be seen to the East of the lake.

The OD agreed to another shore based start (phew!) for the fleet of eight boats. The initial southerly swung as the morning race went on causing some biased beats, and the wind easing slightly under Sale Fell. Despite AJ’s concerns that the swinging wind limited his opportunities to fly the spinnaker, he finished 2nd to Steve/Ruth in their Merlin Rocket, with Peter 3rd.

After lunch, the wind had swung to the SW, and freshened during the race causing a couple of capsizes. Steve led the fleet again but Peter, in his Laser, managed to tail him close enough to beat him and win by almost a minute on handicap. AJ was 3rd and leads overall