The lake was surprisingly calmer than forecast on Saturday, though started off a little drizzly, so there were a few takers for the start of the weekend series.

The wind and gusts did pick up a little over the course of the afternoon to give some good planing conditions. The sudden wind shifts proved to be testing, and there were a couple of capsizes.

Scumper pulled out a good lead in his RS100, winning on handicap and, after finishing, followed son Matthew, sailing a Tera, round his course, but it wasn’t sufficient to beat Phil/Oliver who won the slow handicap race. The second handicap race was won by Joe in his Laser (perhaps he wished he had used his Radial rig after all!)

Dave/Lynn won both GP races with Mike/Eric 2nd.

Well done to some of Ant’s new proteges who chose to sail their first race – Matthew Collantine was crewing for Ant in a Vision, and they are lying in 2nd place overnight, while Roger Price/Chris Wheeler in another Vision, completed the first race, but capsized before starting the next race.

Sunday was dry, bright with mixed winds. Four fleets took to the water and enjoyed good racing with occasional planing conditions, but various gusts and major shifts resulted in a few capsizes. Joanie says it was her fault that she and Toggle capsized, but did he tell her to say that?! In the first race Mike/Kayla broke through to the lead in the F15s at the end of the 2nd beat, and took the win ahead of Neil/Rory. However, Neil took the next two races to win the Ullock Mug. In the Handicap fleet Scumper and Zefer were sharing the top positions, but Scumper had the edge taking three 1sts to win the Grisedale Cup, with Zefer 2nd.

With Dave Lawson racing a Laser, Val/Ken stepped up to the line and, winning the first two races in the GPs, they were in with a good chance of winning the McMillan Cup but the final race slipped from them as Mike/Eric took the win and the trophy.

Phil/Oliver continued their winning ways (with lifeboat in tow!), to win the Round Table Tankard, with Matthew a creditable 2nd place overall.

Final results

Next weekend we are hoting a Laser open meeting on Saturday, and Solo open meeting on Sunday so there will be no club racing. Early entry discounts end on Wednesday so don’t miss out.

This weather does nothing to curb the growth of grass, so Toggle and his team continue with their weekly working parties, but would always appreciate additional help. If you would like to help, contact Mike Cowan, or just turn up on Wednesday evening at about 6.30pm

In contrast to last weekend’s sunny windy weather, Saturday was overcast with a lack of wind. There had been a good turnout for the morning training session, but fewer numbers for the afternoon race. Those that were there were keen to sail so, despite the lightest of airs, probably one of the smallest courses (A-9-0) was set just in case the course needed shortened, but it suited the conditions and those racing. By the end of the first lap the wind filled in from the west, so the race lasted for another couple of laps.

Ian Hall took the honours in his Solo with Nigel/Glenys in a GP 2nd

Latest results

After a wet night, the sun was shining on Sunday morning but, despite the tell tale Bothel turbines turning in a SW breeze, the lake was very patchy. The committee boat took to the water and the wind started to fill in from the north. A line was set and the wind promptly swung to the west. A line was set, the race started and the fleet of three set off on a fetch to the first mark as the wind had swung back to the north. Surely the wind would swing back again? No, it wasn’t to be. Mike had led the fleet in his Streaker, and won on handicap ahead of Paul/Vicki in their GP.

The afternoon pennant race was held in the northern bay. The course was set based on a westerly but it again swung resulting in tacking on every leg of the course! As in the morning, the final result was the same as the finishing order on the water with Paul/Vicki 1st, and Mike 2nd

RNLI Pennant final results

The race counted towards Sandra’s Salver for female crews, and although Mike/Kayla were sailing at Rutland this weekend, finishing a creditable 3rd position, Kayla still tops the leader board.

Sandra’s Salver latest results

Saturday was sunny, warm, but blustery and only a few hardy sailors were planning to sail (or was that swim in Alastair’s case?). However, within 15 mins of the start time the wind suddenly eased as it fought with itself coming from multiple directions, and there was 15 boats quickly rigging and launching. Relying on the forecast easterly being the predominant direction, a line was set and racing got underway with a reaching start! Of the seven legs in the course, boats were beating on at least six… There was one capsize, not Alastair, and a few retirements, but at least it wasn’t a blow out as it originally� seemed it might be. In the end Dave Lawson in his Laser won by 3 secs ahead of John Reekie in a Solo.

The wind settled more to the north for the second race, though it did swing yet again. On handicap, Scumper won with John Reekie 2nd. In the Mirrors, Jonathan/Henry won both races from Paul/Emily.

A challenging afternoon for OD and sailors alike.

MG series latest results

Sunday started off windier than Saturday, with the wind whistling through the rigging. The only likely sailing seemed to that of some exhibition windsurfing by John Reekie, but as on Saturday, the white horses faded as the wind eased, and there was sufficient interest to get racing underway with eight boats. The wind was variable again, and many sailors found it annoyingly frustrating, but there were many exciting gusts, and not too many capsizes.

After lunch a few more boats took to the water, but a squall on the start line caused some minor mayhem with two boats capsizing.

Zefer was overnight leader in the Handicap fleet, 1 pt ahead of Alex/Olivia, while Dave/Ken led the GPs being the only finisher in their race.

Bank holiday Monday was another glorious day and the first day the cadets could get afloat in a fleet of Teras and Optimists

With more reasonable winds which initially came from the south east the OD sent the fleet down to mark 7 at Scarness, the only downside being that the wind swung more to the east on the final lap causing a shadow on the eastern shore, slowing down the race pace with some boats taking almost 90 mins to finish the morning race.

The final race of the weekend series had more shifty winds, variable in strength too, but there were no capsizes, and two notable finishers in the slow handicap fleet of Matthew Somerville and Henry Bullen who were both sailing Teras.

Scumper won both races, but it was Alex/Olivia that won the Isel Cup series with a 2nd, beating Zefer by 2 pts. Dave/Lynn won both races in the GPs to winthe Commodore’s Prize with Mike/Sally 2nd.

Bean/Oliver won both races in the Slow Handicap fleet, but Paul’s finish on Sunday won him the Orsova Cup

Final results

It wasn’t only the Windsor wedding that enjoyed wall to wall sunshine on Saturday. Though the wind was patchy over lunch, the sea breeze came in and built up throughout the afternoon.

Mike/Kayla continued with their cover tacking over Ian/Lezli-Ann in the F15s apart from on the final beat when Ian took the honours by a hair’s breadth! Mike didn’t make the same mistake in the 2nd race, and built a stronger lead to reverse the result, taking a win and the lead in the series.

Alex/Olivia in their RS200 won the first race from Dave L in a Laser, but they had no competition for the 2nd race.

In the GPs Paul brushed the start line by the finest of margins, but it was Val/Ken that mastered the conditions to take two winds ahead of Mike/Eric. AJ/Sue started well with their new suit of sails but had top settle for two 3rds. Mike leads the series.

Emma/Rory had a good start in the Mirrors, despite being without a watch! However, conditions were just a bit too much, so they soon retired leaving Mik to complete the course and take the win, and the lead in the series.

MG series latest results

Cloud cover on Sunday brought in some stronger winds that proved to be a bit much for Josh and Poppy who retired before getting past the F15 moorings, which left Mik with no competition in the Mirrors so he headed ashore, but had to be towed ashore when his main came down.

Alex/Olivia sailed well and took the lead in the Handicap fleet only for their main halyard to break, so they needed a tow ashore too, so it was Dave L in a Laser Radial that took 1st place from Rory in a Solo.

Phil/Sarah had a good race in the GP taking 1st place from Mike/Eric. OD Ian Macpherson had qualms about sending the two F15s round an extra lap (to keep the trailing handicap boats company), it didn’t help Ian/Lezli-Ann catch up Mike/Kayla who took another win strengthening their lead in the series.

BL Series latest results

The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy, sailed as a pennant race around the lake. Surprisingly the winds were reasonably steady, and eased as the race went on. Mike/Kayla took an early lead which they held to the finish. The GPs had a close race with Mike/Eric finishing only 8 secs ahead of Val/Ken after 80 mins racing, but it was Mike that won the trophy by 23 secs on handicap.

Albert Bates Retirement Trophy results

The RS400 Northern Championship was held at South Shields over the weekend with successes by Scumper and Zefer finishing third overall, with the championship being won by new member Dave Exley and Mark Lunn. Congratulations to you all!