More Sunshine

With such brilliant weather forecast, sun and clear skies, it was surprising that we would have a breeze as well. The breeze was coming from two directions, the North, and the West (the start of a sea breeze perhaps?). These two wind streams fought each other all afternoon, and it was the sailors that ended up being piggy in the middle as the area of least wind was generally on the main beat of the course! The challenge was to decide which wind stream to pick, and it was that challenge that defeated some, and awarded others.

There being no contenders for the Asymmetric Cup, all boats were competing in a MJM Series on a fleet handicap basis. The light airs and holes of the first lap bunched many of the boats together. Although Banter Phil in his 100 worked through to the front of the fleet, with Ian/Lezli-Ann not far behind in a F15, in both races the honours went to Joan/Jack in a GP in the first race and Dave Lawson in a Laser in the second.

Sunday morning started with the lake as a mill pond, but the forecast breeze came in from the SW in plenty of time for racing. There was some tight reaches to test who could/would fly their spinnakers, and some broader reaches to take advantage of the good planing conditions. Although the gusts were not as severe as expected, the third lap of the course took its toll on many sailing, and they were glad of the lunch break. The windier conditions suited Mike/Kayla over Ian/Lezli-Ann in the F15s, Joan/Jack beat Alan/Sue in the GPs, while Joe took the honours in the handicap fleet in his Laser from Steve/Ruth in their Merlin.

The afternoon race was the first pennant of the season in aid of the Eric Twiname Trust, and took the fleet to the bottom end of the lake. There was a slight malfunction in the starting procedure, mainly due to distraction, but a temporary postponement soon had everything back on track! With the wind blowing across Sale Fell, sailors had to contend with the varied conditions caused by the down-draughts including holes, major headers, and gusting conditions. Some of the heavy gusts caused multiple capsizes, and Jim/Poppy had a capsize which they struggled to recover from, but all was well in the end.

Eric Twiname Trust Pennant

Another Sunny Sunday

2 April, 2017

Championship Racing No Comments

Another sunny Sunday with a lack of wind resulted in sailors having another early lunch, but the wind did fill in from the West to get both of the scheduled races sailed.

The Mirror fleet benefitted from a couple of new helms in the fleet, Bean with son Oliver, and new members Sandy and Douglas Simpson. Bean and Oliver had their first victory together, while Sandy struggled slightly with the Bass shifts.

There was the first capsize of the season by John Roberts (or was it Bob Gate?) in a Laser, Steve and Ruth lead the handicap fleet after tying with Ian Hall in the first race.

Mike/Kayla sailed consistently winning all F15 races over the weekend but they had some good competition from Ian/Lezli-Ann who seemed to share the mistakes between them!

Dave/Lynn found their form again to win three of the weekend’s races in their GP, but had some close competition from Mike/Eric on Saturday, while Duncan/Colin put up a good fight on Sunday.

The wind, though shifty and variable at times, was worth waiting for and topped off a successful weekend back on the water.

Annual Dinner

27 November, 2016

Championship Socials No Comments

[lg_slideshow folder=”album/16sundry/Annual dinner” display=”slide”]

Over 70 members and guests enjoyed the 65th Annual prize giving dinner dance at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith. The DJ had guests dancing on their seats (led by JD – members of the Facebook group will have seen this video), all for chance of winning a bottle of wine. Following a speech by the Commodore reviewing the year, and awarding certificates acknowledging various achievements, the array of prizes won throughout the season were presented by Kirstie Somerville.

Robbie D thanked the outgoing Commodore and presented a set of flute glasses to Mark and Kirstie for all their efforts over the last four years.

The evening was topped off with dancing until the early hours.

The 65th AGM is being held this afternoon following the final race of the year.

Waiting for Wind

13 November, 2016

A lack of wind put proceedings on hold until after 12 at which time the wind was filling in on the eastern side of the bay. With sufficient interest in racing, the rescue crews started to launch the boats, but the wind faded more rapidly than it appeared, so the boats were retrieved, and racing abandoned for the day.

With only three scheduled races remaining, the end of the season is approaching all too quickly.

All members should be in receipt of the notice of AGM which is being held a fortnight today on 27 November. Unfortunately the treasurer is unable to attend, but if you have any questions that you propose to raise at the AGM regarding the audited accounts please email us so that a response can be prepared.

Winter Draws On

6 November, 2016

With a bitter NE wind, perhaps the heading should have been Winter drawers on! However, the forecast gusty wind did not materialise and there was a gentle force 1-2. There were only four takers for the first race. Bob Gate was keen to get back on the water after several weeks off, but didn’t get off to a good start when he was stuck in the reeds. Although, he was fully expecting to be going for a swim but it was not to be in the lighter winds, however, it didn’t stop Tim Chittenden falling out of the boat which helped Mike Fairlamb in his Streaker stay close enough to win on fleet and personal handicap, with Tony King in his Solo 2nd.

The sailors were feeling the effects of the cold weather and opted to have a break for lunch. The wind was similar for the 2nd race, but a light shower did nothing to make anyone feel any warmer! Mike took another win in the fleet handicap and Paul Gannon won on personal handicap, with Tony 2nd in both series.

End of Summertime

30 October, 2016

Despite the end of British Summertime, the weather was still a bit milder than last week! As elsewhere in the country, there was a general lack of wind, although there was a channel of breeze running down the middle of the lake. Nine boats took to the water, and sailed a compact course in the swinging wind. However, after the first beat the wind eased yet again before finally settling in from the south west which meant there were no beat left in the course so the race was shortened.

The light winds, and shorter race, resulted in fleet and personal handicap positions being the same as boat finishing order for the lead boats with Mike/Kayla and John/Tim in F15s beating Jack/Joan in a GP.

The OD and sailors opted to run both races back-to-back and have a late lunch while the wind was at its best. A jumble of the finishing positions (compared to the first race) resulted in three boats being on 5 points on fleet handicap, with the tie being split in Mike Fairlamb’s favour, while Joan and Jack lead the personal handicap series.

The decision to race back to back caught out a couple of boats planning to race in the afternoon, but proved to be the best option as the wind faded again over lunch.

Flying 15 Team Racing

22 October, 2016

Opens Racing No Comments

[lg_slideshow folder=”album/16sundry/FF team racing” display=”slide”]

With little wind during the morning, it seemed promising for some good sailing conditions for the 17 strong fleet of Flying 15s when the wind filled in from the south, despite the forecast being from the north east.

With mark 7 nowhere to be seen, should the OD send the fleet to mark 10 or 8? Taking the cautious option, mark 8 was set as the windward mark, and the start sequence began. A last minute shift made it difficult for the fleet to cross the line on starboard, so everyone had a clean start, though fleet captain Simon and Jon’s tack on to port was badly timed as they tried to squeeze through a non-existent gap… Jon Mathie and Olivia, a F15 virgin, led round the windward mark and the following leg, but not surprisingly, Steve Goacher strolled through the ranks to take the lead as the wind eased. With the wind on the eastern shore disappearing, the OD opted to shorten the course at the end of the lap. Just as well mark 10 wasn’t the windward mark!

With the wind filling in from the forecast NE, the start line was moved to suit the new direction, but the wind faded altogether and the fleet came ashore for a cuppa. An hour later the wind came back from the NE with gusto, so it was back to the water for two further races, along with club racing. It was Neil Currie and Rory Yardley that took the honours in the 2nd race, and a few places back, Simon took the opportunity to implement some team racing by hanging back to sit on John Mathie up the final beat while team mate Robin Dawson secured 4th, with Simon 5th.

The wind held for the final race of the day, though backing slightly, the beat was one sided. Simon led from the windward through to the finish, with John and Olivia 2nd.

Sunday welcomed everyone with a stronger wind from the NE again. Various boats had spinnaker problems from trawling to not being able to take them down! Steve Goacher was back on form taking two wins, but kept looking back with the thought of helping his team mates come to the fore, but there was no obvious action taking place. Same couldn’t be said for Simon who again tried to slow opponents to let a team mate gain a place, however it didn’t work today as he tried to hold back Nigel Tullett, but Simon kept hold of his deserved 2nd place. Simon was over the line in the final race, so was neither use nor ornament, finishing 7th. Although, Nigel pulled through to 2nd in the final race ahead of Mike and Kayla, it wasn’t enough to bring the Goacher Gang to the fore, and it was The Committee from Bass that won the team racing event.

Last year’s Grotty Potty winner was so distraught that he wasn’t present to receive it, nominated himself to win it this year, not that AJ’s performance was sufficiently sparkling to warrant him nominating anyone else!

	FF Team Racing Team Scores – Overall
1	The Committee	27	17	18	13	18	93
2	Goacher Gang	21	26	23	17	18	105
3	No Discount	13	23	25	27	25	113
4	Bassturds	24	21	24	22	26	117
5	Take no Prisioners	38	33	43	43	31	188
6	Bass Bumblers	43	44	34	45	40	206

Only two club boats raced in the morning, and Val/Ken’s win secured them the FH trophy. They threw caution to the wind and sailed after lunch, with Mike and Kayla joining in, as if they hadn’t raced enough in the morning, for the final race of the Autumn series. Mike won on FH but it didn’t affect Val’s 1st overall, but Val’s win on PH in the last race secured her the PH trophy as well!

Club racing overall results.

Another Sunny Saturday

15 October, 2016

The sun was shining again, and some sailors were surprised that there was a southerly to boot! 16 boats set off in great conditions but halfway through the first lap the wind eased as it swung slowly to the SW. Sailors had to decide which side of the beat would get the wind first. As the wind from the south came back in, boats took the 90 degree header, and waited for the strength to increase again. Those that were on the right hand side of the course lost out most. Although Neil and Judith led the fleet across the line, it was Dave and Lynn that won on both FH and PH basis, with Neil 2nd on FH and Joan and Jack 2nd on PH.

The wind was more consistent from the south for the 2nd race, and the beat somewhat one sided. Joan and Jack trawled their spinnaker and headed home early. Mike and Kayla fought their way past Neil, but it was to be Dave and Lynn that took another win.

Sunday morning was wet and windy, with white horses due to the wind funnelling through the Scarness narrows. No-one really wanted to put their head above the parapet to say they were definitely going sailing. Eventually the three GP sailors went out to assess the weather and gave it a cautious thumbs up. If they had waited another minute it might have been a definite thumbs down as one of the wicked squalls passed through!

With the Bates out of operation, a shore start meant the race management team were protected from the weather (but not the swarm of blue bottles) in the race office. The gusty conditions led to discretion being the better part of valor especially regarding flying spinnakers! Mike and Kayla won on FH by the briefest of margins ahead of Dave and Lynn, and Val won the PH race.

Over lunch the wind continued to abate and the sun was out yet again for the afternoon race. With Dave taking 1st place on FH, and Mike/Eric 2nd, Mike/Kayla had to make do with 3rd.

Having opted not to sail, Joan and Jack’s lead in each series has diminished, but they do still lead.

Sunny Saturday

8 October, 2016