Sunny Saturday

A sunny afternoon with good winds had 15 boats on the water across three fleets, and they all had clean starts. There were a few boats that capsized and subsequently retired, though others soldiered on and will no doubt sleep well after the day’s exertions!

Val/Ken had some good racing with Mike/Eric in the GPs, but they lost out on the final beat in the first race when they were caught port and starboard by Mike. They didn’t make the same mistake in the next race, finishing with a good lead.

Sandy/Douglas had two straight wins from Mik in the Mirrors. It was the single handers of Tony in a Solo, and Peter in a Laser that each had a win in the handicap fleet.

None of the day’s results affected the overall leaders in the series

Albert Bates Memorial Trophy

Sunday started much more overcast but the sun came out in the end. There were good winds again but very few takers.

Val/Ken had some gear problems but managed to hold off Alan/Sue, while in the Handicap fleet Peter in his Laser beat Mike in a Streaker by a good margin.

BL etc latest results

The afternoon race was the Albert Bates Retirement pennant. However the course kept the fleet in the northern bay with the small potential for typical flukey airs as the course had one beat to mark 8 in the shade of Sale Fell.

Rory/Eleanor won on handicap in a F15, with Alan and birthday girl Sue 2nd having been forced to tack off from Val/Ken on to a better tack!

The race counts towards Sandra’s Salver for female crews, and Eleanor’s 1st puts her into the lead

Sandra’s Salver

Whit Bank Holiday

27 May, 2017

Championship Racing No Comments

After a week of fantastic weather, everyone was looking forward to more of the same for the bank holiday. With the wind from the SSW, it was in two minds as to whether it would come round Sale Fell from the S or SW. There was a great fleet of nine mirrors, in the first race and it was the Smith brothers Phil and Andy that were vying for first position, but Andy/Lily couldn’t keep up with Phil/Oliver. Meanwhile, as thunder could be heard rolling through the hills, the rain held off, and blue skies were edging towards us.

By the 2nd race the SW wind had swung back to the S, and the wind eased. Although the boats seemed to crawl around the short course, it just took 15 mins to complete the lap so the OD sent the fleet round again. However, in a matter of minutes a squall moved in, bringing heavy rain, and resulted in so many capsizes that the race was abandoned and boats headed back to shore.

Within a mad half hour, the squall had disappeared, together with the rain and wind, and the scene was set for a lovely evening during which the Hunter Family were putting on another curry night, serving over 100 meals and raising over £500 in aid of the ASHA Foundation.

Sunday started off dry, overcast, but much cooler with a chill factor of 5C! As ever, the wind swung back and forth throughout. After lunch the skies cleared and the sun shone with the wind backing more to the west.

Neil took to the water for the first time this season with Rory in their F15, taking three 1sts and the Mellor Mug ahead of Graham (also fresh back to the water) and Elaine.

In the GPs, the main competition was between Mike/Eric who took the first race, and Joan/Jack who are overnight leaders having won the next two races.

Joe won the first race in his Laser, but Robin/Erin took the next the next two to be overnight leader.

In the Slow Handicap fleet, it’s a bit of a family affair with the Smiths taking the top four positions, all in Mirrors, with Emma being overnight leader.

Bank holiday Monday morning started with light rain and a good SE breeze. The fleets seemed reluctant to get on the water, which gave the chance to do its worst by easing, and swinging, so the OD had to lift the start line and move it across the lake to take advantage of a slightly steadier breeze, or so it seemed. The course was set, and racing got underway, but the wind wasn’t at its best, and there were holes around the course. Although racing had only been underway about 25 mins, the race was shortened at the end of the first lap to put the sailors out of their misery (and save the committee boat having to hang around too long!). The wind promptly filled in and settled down as the fleets headed ashore for lunch…

Joan/Jack took another win in the GPs from Mike/Eric, and won the Commodore’s Prize. In the Handicap fleet, Robin/Erin beat Scumper which earned them the Isel Cup, with Scumper 2nd overall.

Although Phil won the Slow handicap race, Emma’s 2nd kept her in the lead, so he would need to sail the final race to secure the series.

After lunch the wind held, and strengthened a little, enabling the OD to set the course he had initially set for the morning race. There were only six boats that took to the water and enjoyed some good reaches and planing conditions. Scumper led the Handicap fleet but was beaten by Joe with a margin of 18 secs on handicap. This didn’t affect Scumper’s overall 2nd position, with Joe 3rd.

Phil raced against Jonathan Bullen in the Slow handicap fleet, taking his fourth win and the Orsova Cup, with sister in law Emma a well earned 2nd.

Final results

Quiet Weekend to Ourselves

20 May, 2017

After last week’s busy Push the Boat Out open day, our racing schedule was back to normal. Wet, gusty weather greeted sailors, especially the Saturday Social crowd that gathered to get more sailing experience – open to all, on Saturday mornings.

By the time racing started, the rain had passed through and the wind abated a little. In the F15s, Ian/Lezliann had some close racing with Ian/Elaine, and after trailing at the end of the first lap pulled through to win with a strong lead. Robin/Erin looked as if they were going to do the same against Alex/Olivia, both in RS200s, but they failed to cover up the final beat – he should know better!

Throughout the afternoon sailors had to contend with shifty conditions which had a drastic effect on positions from time to time.

Despite rain all around, the Bass micro climate remained dry on Sunday, and brightened up to a sunny afternoon!

With the wind coming over Sale Fell again, there were plenty of shifts to contend with again. The wind was stronger and gustier than Saturday, so there were more good planing conditions, combined with some gybes, there were several capsizes throughout the day. Competition was keen at the front end of both fleets. Ian/Lezliann had to fight hard, but successfully secured another two wins for a clean sweep over the weekend.

In the handicap fleet, Alex/Olivia gave Robin/Erin a run for their money for more close racing in the morning, but the honours went to Val/Ken in their GP, with Zefer 2nd in his Laser. Joe won the afternoon race, with Alex/Olivia 2nd.

The day was not without injury. Elaine failed to duck a boom, Mik was attacked by a starting pin, and Eleanor went quiet thinking she had broken her elbow!

Night Jar 4

19 May, 2017

Night Jar 4 was held in dry but slightly chilly conditions. A constant F2/3 SW breeze gave a beat to zero, a triangular course 0-A-B, and two kite legs.

John & Hazel in the Merlin broke away after the first beat and gradually increased their lead. The GP’s were next up led by Dave & Lynn with Joan & Jack and Val & Ken following. Mike & Eric had a poor first beat but, by lap 2 they were ahead of the lady helms.

Tony’s Solo was keeping station behind the Geeps but just beat AJ & Sue to the line at the end of lap 3. A big gap opened up between Eric’ Solo and that of Mike Cave so the latter was shortened after two laps.

AJ & Sue were again providing food. Who would be responsible for organising a meal rota?!

GP14 Inland Championship 2017

6 May, 2017

Opens Racing No Comments

[lg_slideshow folder=”album/17sundry/gp inlands” display=”slide”]

Bassenthwaite SC is pleased to be hosting this year’s GP14 Inland Championship. With a mixture of winds forecast, there is certain to be some great competition.

First race scheduled for 12 Noon resulted in a general recall so they’ve burned their boats and it’ll be the I flag (or worse) moving forward!

The first race was unit led by Mike Senior, but the shifting conditions caused him to slip back, while others had some big gains. John Hayes took the winners gun with Fergus Barnham 2nd and Dave Lawson 3rd.

Andy Smith led race 2 through to the finish but the result will be subject to protest.

The wind faded just after the start of the third race but freshened again a couple of minutes later. Val and Ken managed it well and were 3rd around the windward mark. They did slip a few places thereafter but had a great race.

Andy Smith and Fergus Barnham had some close racing, swapping places a couple of times. Andy wishes he’d stuck to the key rule of winning – always cover on the final beat!!

Stronger than expected winds from the North East for the 2nd day’s racing but they were just as shifty! Overnight leader Fergus Barnham clinched his first win of the weekend and moved a step closer to winning the championship. Dave Lawson had a great race finishing 2nd

The shifting wind proved to be a challenge for the race officer for the start of race 5, and there were a couple of postponements to reset the line. Despite this, a couple of boats were a bit too eager at the next start. Mike Senior took his first win of the weekend, while Fergus took third and secured an unassailable lead for the championship.

After Dave Lawson’s rest having been OCS in the previous race, he was on top form in the final race and won it with a strong lead from Mike Senior. This gave Dave 2nd overall and pushed Andy Smith into 3rd, with Mike Senior 4th.

Challenging conditions for all, but great racing all the same.

Inland Champions Fergus Barnham and Andy Hunter with Commodore Robin Dawson

Night Jar 2

5 May, 2017

Why no results or report on Night Jar 2? Well, it didn’t happen! There were white caps all around Dubwath Bay and, at times, you could barely stand up outside the clubhouse. So there was no dissent when Joan hoisted Flag N (with Jack holding her upright!). The meal, prepared by Brent and friends, had been brought forward in anticipation and was enjoyed by all.

May Bank Holiday 2017

29 April, 2017

News Racing No Comments

The strong morning winds abated before racing started, and with a southerly blowing, several sailors wondered whether they’d be sent around the lake! Fortunately the sailing remained in the main bay as the wind strength varied considerably, and it seemed as if it may not come back at one stage, but it did.

With the fear of losing some racing on Sunday due to forecast high winds, the visiting Catapults opted to squeeze in a third race, and it introduced a new winner outside the Ede family!

What would Sunday bring? Perhaps plenty of wind to blow these candles out and time to recuperate from Andrea’s 50th birthday bash?

Sunday arrived with a lovely sunny day, and light winds first thing in the morning that rapidly built up with a southerly wind that formed white horses across the lake. The Catapults had decided to enjoy the lakes rather than risk breaking their boats, and there was a lack of enthusiasm to get on the water by anyone else. So after a couple of hours postponement, no sign of the wind abating, racing was cancelled for the day.

A barbeque is planned for the evening.

Monday’s forecast wasn’t dissimilar to Sunday’s in terms of strength, but with the wind swinging to the East, the waves didn’t have so much time to build! There was a good size fleet eager to get back on the water, and although the wind freshened for a while at the start, overall the conditions were sailable, and there were some spectacular spinnaker legs. Several boats did capsize, and most carried on to the end.

In the GPs, Andy/Phil didn’t take long to make good their poor start, building up a strong lead, and taking a further win, and the Lyne Tankard series, in the afternoon race.

In the F15s, Ian/Lezli-Ann noticed their genny was loose at the tack on the first beat, so spent some of the downwind legs tying it down again before starting the attack on John/Tim, and taking the lead by the end of the first lap, which they held through to the end. They took the lead in the 2nd race as well, and their position was a bit safer after John/Tim had problems with the spinnaker sheets going under the boat. Ian won the race and the Jak Pot trophy.

Scumper/Zefer had various scary planes, but stayed upright to take two wins in the handicap fleet ahead of Steve/Ruth, and won the May Holiday trophy.

There was only one race in the Mirror/Topper Peel Pot series which was won by Bean ahead of Banter, who spent the afternoon practising in Ethan’s RS600 before he takes to the water in his own Musto Skiff

Overall results

Night Jar

27 April, 2017

This season’s Night Jar is now underway. It looks as though racing finished just in time to enjoy this rainbow without the rain!

We had everything for the first Thursday evening. A flight of four engine aircraft at minimum height, a spectacular rainbow, a chilly NW wind and, eventually, some rain. Oh, and 12 boats out on the lake, one crewed by a national champion!

The OD’s course was 0-B-9-A which gave three kite legs. This suited the Geeps although it was Neil’s Radial which made the initial impression shadowing Andy Smith / Andy Tunnicliffe and copying their tactics. Chefs for the evening AJ / Sue were also well up but both they and Neil eventually dropped back allowing the GP trio of Mike / Eric, Joan / Jack, Val / Ken through. Paul’s Laser was next up followed by Jon Anson – in a ff no less with Kayla crewing a few seconds ahead of Jim and Poppy in the Wanderer.

A battered and bruised John capsized his Pico but gamely continued to finish on 2 laps. Then came Bob Gate in his Radial who was well into a third lap before he realised he had finished, and Steve / Simon in the L2000.

Great North Asymmetric Challenge

22 April, 2017