After a glorious day, many wanted to end it with an evening sail, but it was not to be, the light breeze that was there on their arrival faded to nothing, and the race was cancelled, not that it stopped sailors staying back to enjoy the communal evening meal.
August Bank Holiday
For some people that have been camping since Thursday, Saturday marks the middle of their weekend break, and they have been joined by the Southport and GP14 cruisers. With a good westerly breeze, and some sunny spells, there was an excellent turnout with over 30 boats, including 11 Mirrors. The Smith family had a large contingent in the Mirror fleet and it is not surprising that they were amongst the flurry of boats over the line and caused a general recall!
Results wise, it was a day to confuse the sailing secretary when it came to recording the results as there were numerous swaps between helm and crews (Olivia/Alex, Amber/Robin, Izzie/Ben) NB Ant/Jo weren’t in that list just yet, though they did swap to Ant’s RS200 and had various problems including their mainsail slipping down. Also, there were some new faces in the Mirrors with Graham, Alan and Keith trying their hand, while Scumper sailed with Matthew in a F15, and Emily went back into a Laser for the first time in many years!
The winds afforded some good planing conditions at times, and there weren’t many capsizes, not that was Dave Lawson’s excuse for getting wet as he missed his toestraps and took a quick dip.
To top all this off there was some good racing and close finishes.
Sunday ‘s expectation of light winds was not to be. As the morning race went on, the wind increased together with the number of capsizes. All in all it proved a bit too much for some and they didn’t venture out after lunch.
�Though there were no recalls throughout the day, some starts were busy, and not without incident, and penalty turns had to be done. Just to prove that miracles can happen, Simon was seen to be one of those boats doing his turns! However, it didn’t stop him from working his way back to the front of the F15s and taking another win.
The overnight leaders are Simon/Jon in the F15s, Mark/Banter in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in GPs, and Andy in the Mirrors. The Bank Holiday wind was slightly less than forecast and expected so there was only a handful of takers, especially as the expectation was that that the wind would increase and the rain would descend.
A simple triangular course gave competitors some good reaches and the gusts provided great planing conditions. There were no capsizes, and all those that sailed completed the course, and were pleased to have raced, though no-one was interested in the final race. Final results remained as overnight.
The early finish enabled tents and awnings to be packed away dry, and me to cut my lawns before the the onset of rain!
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Night Jar 15
With a load of members camping on site it was hoped that the number of boats racing in this round of the Night Jar would increase. �But, apart from Banter�s Skiff, it was the Thursday regulars who made up the fleet.
Stephen and family were in charge on this cold evening with a medium strength SW wind. �A long course was set, 0-A-B-4-1 with B moved to just beyond the port pin of the start line.
Dave & Lynn in the GP led off the line but it wasn�t long before Phil hurtled by � only to skew off course when rounding B to starboard and let the GP briefly take the lead back. �Neil was sailing well in the laser and was ahead of Tony�s Solo.
Val & Ken�s GP was well up early on as was John�s Laser but the former crew had all sorts of problems reading the wind and dropped right back while the latter capsized at B and, despite two safety boats standing by, the helm took a while to right it and head for the jetties.
Most managed 3 laps with only the final four boats being shortened. �Then it was back to a busy clubhouse and the meal prepared this week by Alison & Martin Overend
Slow Sunday
With another Bass Week behind us, some have gone on holiday for a rest resulting in a quiet weekend, sailing wise, which is why we host the annual triathlon the Saturday after Bass Week. Far from being quiet, there 350 competitors, split into two groups, swimming, cycling and running around the challenging courses. This year three club members took part, Scumper and Alastair �taking up reserve places and successfully picking up finishers medals, while Jon just picked up an excess of lake water in the choppy weather.
Just ten boats raced on Sunday in good, dry conditions. Val/Ken led the GPs with Paul, and a slightly reluctant Vicki, 2nd. Even a mouse in Vicki’s sailing bag didn’t get her out of sailing! Bean/Oliver were over at the start but returned before OD Nick had to repeat his Bass Week act of recalling a relative… Banter/Rory briefly took advantage of the error, but Phil soon took the lead and the winner’s bell.
Toggle won the handicap fleet in a Solo ahead of Rory/Eleanor in a F15 as they had no competitors in their own fleet.
For the afternoon Jimmy Lancaster Memorial Trophy pennant race there was a willingness to go around the lake, so Nick sent them down to mark 11 at St Bega’s Church. The winds were suitably flukey for a while, resulting in some bunching of the fleet. AJ/Sue took an early lead, but were passed by Val/Ken who, in turn, were passed by Paul/Vicki and went on to win on handicap. Eleanor leads the Sandra’s Salver series for best female crew in the pennant races
Jimmy Lancaster Memorial Trophy results
Latest Sandra’s Salver results
Night Jar 14
It was mucky evening with rain and low cloud. So it isn’t surprising that there were few takers. Five to be precise! Peter was on the food and AJ & Sue on re-stocking the galley after Bassweek so they all opted out.
There was a fair wind coming around Sale Fell so Harry set the course as 9-8-1-3 which gave three kite legs and a planing reach between the gybe marks.
Off the starboard biased line the two GPs of Mike & Eric and Val & Ken led up the beat with Tony trying something different in the Solo by tacking off. There was little to choose between the three of them at the windward mark but then Val & Ken started to eke out a lead which lengthened once they got up on the plane and they increased it further on most legs.
Mike & Eric had fallen back into Tony’s clutches although he couldn’t get through, Neil’s Laser was alone in fourth and John’s Pico was a long way back and was shortened on two laps.
So it was Val & Ken’s race in both FH & PH. Val’s comment was “Why couldn’t we sail like that over Bassweek?!
Sunday Roundup
A good turnout for another day of blustery conditions. The rain held off but it didn't mean everyone kept dry as the courses had various gybes which had the edge over numerous sailors in the gusts, and resulted in several capsizes. The gusts also meant there were some great planing conditions to be had. After lunch the wind strengthened a little, as did the rate of capsizing!
In the F15s Mike/Kayla took back to the water after a three month break and, although Ian/Elaine led the first lap, the conditions suit Mike and he subsequently took the lead and the winner's horn in both races.
Dave/Lynn took two 1sts in the GPs, but they didn't have it all their own way. Despite a poor start by Val/Ken in the afternoon race, they took the lead to the end of the first lap before slipping back to 2nd by the finish.
There were many more capsizes in the handicap fleet whether it was due to Zefer's tiller extension releasing itself, the challenges of the gybe marks, or being blown in on the reaches and beats! Steve/Ruth sailed well, stayed upright and won both races on handicap, taking overall lead in the series. Similarly Zefer had two 2nds, and is lying 2nd overall, and Hugh 3rd with two 3rds!
With Bass Week starting on Saturday there is still some final preparations and a working party on Tuesday evening to move boats, tidy the grounds and clubhouse, clear out the kitchen for the caterer.
Please come down and help, Naomi will find a job for you!
Solo Open
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Gusting SW winds left some of the select group of competitors looking a little reluctant before the earlier than usual 11am start, but they did all venture out racing.
Despite an unimpressive start our own Tog was leading at the end of the first lap, but slipped back behind Tony King during the next lap. The conditions suited planing conditions at times, though after a brief heavy downpour the wind eased for a while. With two legs to go on the third and final lap Tony and Tog were neck and neck, and there was some cautionary calls re luffing, but Tog held the lead to the final mark. Tony tacked off, but Tog sailed the better route and went in to the lunch break in pole position.
After lunch, two races were sailed back to back with a depleted fleet. Tog may rested on his laurels too much because at the end of the first lap he was bringing up the rear of the fleet! He battled on and soon was up to 3rd, and then gained a bonus position when Tony had gear failure and had to retire, so he finished 2nd behind Alistair Banks (West Riding). Although Tog was in a good position going into the final race, Tony and Alistair were still in contention, as whichever one won the race would win overall! A capsize by Tog scuppered his chances, which left Tony and Alistair fighting it out to the finish. Tony took the winners bell, with Alistair 2nd, and Tog 3rd, the same as the overall finishing order, and they were all on equal points!
Night Jar 13
Only eight boats out but four changes of leader in a race which OD John Reekie felt should be short and to the point as safety cover was limited to Chas. Not that it was particularly windy but the gust coming around Sale Fell caught out nearly everyone.
The first leaders were Mike & Eric but they took the wrong course. Then it was Tony but he capsized on a gybe. So Pete & Lottie took a clear lead until they had a swim and then went head to wind at the windward mark leaving Mike & Eric back where they started – at the front!
Tony repeated his earlier manoeuvre capsizing at the wing mark but he held on to second ahead of Pete & Lottie. Eric turtled and then made for the Club leaving Neil, David, Nigel and Bob to finish in that order.
Back in the Clubhouse Dave & Lynn were preparing the meal while Val & Ken were spectating after a day of shearing the sheep.
Thanks to Neil for helping with launching and recovery.
Weekend Series
After a soggy morning that didn’t even tempt Jo on to the water for the Social Saturday sailing the rain had passed through and some wind eventually filled in for a belated start.
The wind swung throughout the first race but one of the two beats was maintained after some strategic mark moving. By the end of the race the wind had swung through 120 degrees! The new course was set and worked well until the wind faded to nothing.
It was to be a slow finishing sequence that resulted in a few retirements from the end of the fleet
Sunday started bright with a light northerly breeze. The ID was up with the lark and opted to start on time whether the sailors had made it to the start or not – and some were a little tardy, partly due to the wind fading for a while.
Ian/Lezliann had a clean start, on time, and kept their lead through to the finish, taking his third win of the series.
The 2nd race saw Graham/Alan take a big lead only to throw it away by missing out YZ (as they did a couple of weeks ago)! Places continued to swap but the final outcome had Neil/Judith 1st with Ian/Elaine 2nd. Graham sailed well in the final race until he headed for the wrong mark… Fortunately Ian/Lezliann did not follow, took the lead, and broke well clear to take their 4th win of the weekend, and confirming their 1st position in the Scarness Cup.
All the GP fleet had consistent results with Dave/Lynn taking five 1sts to win the Graham Cup, Val/Ken five 2nds and Alan/Sue five 3rds!
In the handicap fleet, Scumper won the Wythop Cup with four 1sts, but the 2nds were shared out between Peter Whipp, Steve/Ruth, Dave Haselden, Alex/Olivia and Tog, though it was Robin/Erin that took 2nd overall with a 1st and three 3rds.
Alastair/Alfie got a great start and took an early lead in the Mirrors, albeit brief, before Bean/Oliver broke back and won the morning race, with Alfie/Alastair (yes Alfie helming) finishing a respectable 2nd. After lunch Oliver decided he did want to sail after Bean had set off, so hitched a lift to the start line with rescue in time for the race, taking another 1st, this time against Oliver’s grandad. After two races, enough was enough, and the Mirrors headed ashore with Bean/Oliver taking the Reflection Cup
Ladies, Crews, Juniors & Crews Race
The OD was Peter Whipp and he felt it was time for something a little different! So the course was a triangle and sausage 0-4-3-0-3-YZ which caused some head scratching but worked well.
There were 16 starters although Mike Cave and Robbie/Erin pulled out and went ashore mid-race. The two Joe’s (Watkins & Roberts) were the lead contestants with Tony’s Solo mixing it, as usual, with the GPs; Mike & Eric ahead of Paul Bowmer/Mark Hunt, and Ken who had Val crewing.
Two complete laps were going to be too long for the mid fleet onwards boats and the race couldn’t be shortened for some on the course set, so a decision was made to up anchor and move the Bates to 0 allowing all to finish sooner and at the same point. It worked – just! – the Bates beating the 300 to the mark by 5 seconds!
So the awards go to the Sailing Secretary (Does he get anything for not being any of the L,C,J,S?). Well, anyway, he won overall from Tony’s Solo! There were no Junior entries, Mike F was the first Senior and Ken took the Crew award.
There were also no Lady entrants in the historically called Ladies Race. Sue had a last moment change of mind and entered with AJ under Crew! This is not turning out to be one of her multiple award seasons – but you never know!