After the final championship weekend series of the series, the championship tables have been updated and can be viewed on the following link
Congratulations to this year’s champions are
Flying 15s – Neil Currie�&�Rory Yardley
Fast Handicap – Robin Dawson�&�Phil Davenport (Pipping Commodore Mark Somerville at the post!)
GP14s – Dave�&�Lynn Lawson
Slow Handicap – Jim, Poppy & James Christie
For various reasons there weren’t many takers for the latest weekend series, but those that did turn out were keen to take to the water once there was the hint of sufficient breeze to blow away the mirror like conditions. So when a light northerly filled in the OD took to the water and the sailors followed.
The wind swung a couple of times while waiting for the fleet to get to the start line, so a simplified triangular course was set, which seemed to be the most manageable option for the conditions.
Fortunately the general wind direction remained from the north, but the strength was much more variable. Joan/Jack took the leeward mark a little bit too close and had to do a turn losing significant ground on Dave/Lynn who went on to win.
John Roberts managed to lasso the staff on mark A, so after untangling himself he too had to do a turn. Jim C led and won the slow handicap fleet, with Mik 2nd.
In the fast handicap fleet, Robbie D/Banter won with Alex/Olivia 2nd
Before all had finished the wind dropped to drifting conditions and all hopes of another race faded.
It was unlikely that Sunday’s conditions would enable four races to be sailed, but it did look promising as the day started with a warm, light southerly.
With a plan to get two races in before lunch, the courses were plain and short, even though Robbie D wanted longer legs (an eternal wish for him some might say!)
The wind did ease as the second race went on, and finally died over lunch. Scumper and Hugh each had a first in the fast handicap, while Jim C and Barbara each had a first in the slow handicap fleet, and Dave/Lynn took two more firsts in the GP fleet.
With no obvious sign of the wind filling in, afternoon racing was abandoned. As is the norm, the wind did fill in, though not really strong enough to race in.
Trophies go to Dave/Lynn in the GPs, Robbie D in the fast handicap, and Jim C the slow handicap fleet.
Other sailing events over the weekend had good representation from Bass members with Andy and Rob Smith finishing 2nd at the GP Northern Championships at Derwent Reservoir, while Hazel Newport came 7th at the RYA Zone Championship, and Josh Hunter came 3rd overall in the regatta for Toppers, Teras and Oppies at Ullswater. Meanwhile Mike Moore and Kayla Sheard came fourth of 17 at the Burton open meeting. The results meant that they were tied on points for the Waples Wine Northern travellers series but came second on countback.
What a weekend it was, most arrived on Friday afternoon/evening with caravans, motor homes and tents ready for a fun packed couple of days. Friday evening saw the clubhouse full of sailors watching the Rugby World Cup Opening ceremony and match on the big screen, a number continued late into the night celebrating England’s victory against Fiji. As a result several were quite subdued on Saturday morning but the glorious weather soon got them livened up.
Early Saturday afternoon saw the on water activities commence which consisted �of 4 teams of 10 aged 5 to 60+ compete firstly in a relay race in Toppers, the rules of racing were totally disregarded, numerous forced capsizes and sinkings were encountered. The next leg of this unusual Triathalon was a paddle board race followed by an open water swim. Again a lot of skulduggery was apparent. The whole event was enjoyed by all including the numerous spectators and adjudicators, who won, who cares. After a quick shower and tea and cake which was sold to raise runds for Macmillan Cancer Support everyone met in the freshly cut back field for a game of rounders. The game lasted the best part of 2 hours and was won by the team that batted first as the light was fading by the end. Saturday evening was spent in the clubhouse with a bring and eat buffet which was excellent followed by a game of bingo.
Sunday morning whilst not quite as sunny was dry and a reasonable Westerly wind was blowing for our Barts Bash Race, bacon, egg and black pudding butties were eaten in preparation. 35 boats took to the water and sailed the course, there were a few capsizes and tales to tell. The faster boats sailed 5 laps the slower boats 2 and others 3 & 4. When the club results were computed Alex & Olivia �in a RS 200 were declared winners from Dave & Lynn in a GP14 and Commodore Mark in a RS100. �244 was raised for the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Everyone returned to shore for lunch and to reflect on an excellent weekend, caravans etc were packed up and we all went home.
Bart’s Bash results�Bass Version��Bart’s Version
While the Southport 24hr race attracted a good selection of our members, club racing was held alongside the annual Tinker Rally. Forecast high winds may have deterred a few takers, but they need not have worried as conditions were very sailable, and the wind didn’t pick up until we tweeted that there wasn’t much!
The weather was mixed with sunshine and showers, a couple heavy, and there were mixed fortunes throughout the afternoon. Jim C was sailing his Supernova for a change and led both races winning the first one, but the heavier conditions in the second race suited the GPs and it was Joan/Jack that secured the winning position on handicap. Tony King is getting to grips with his Solo, finishing the day with two 2nds.
Nigel made a welcome return to the water, and despite a collision at�the start of the second race, he was first to the windward mark.
Joan/Jack led overnight, with two races on Sunday started in a stronger than expected southerly could they keep their cool and fight off challenges from Banter et al. As it happened, Banter was a bit too eager to start and was called back (though he did suggest others were further over the line than him!), and promptly capsized, before making a sharp exit ashore. The course/conditions didn’t suit a couple of others who retired also.
AJ/Sue put in a good performance winning the first race ahead of Joan and Chris/Julie. The wind eased slightly in the afternoon but Banter kept his head to win, with Joan 2nd, and AJ 3rd.
Overall, Joan/Jack held on to their lead, and AJ/Sue’s 1st split the tie with Tony in their favour
The Tinkers were enjoying the conditions so much they had a total of six races, and had a tie for 1st overall that was split by the results of the final race with Alastair Parker pushing the regular winner Malcolm Ellwood into 2nd place. Vice Commodore Robin Dawson gave a vote of thanks, and his daughter Amber presented the prizes.
Our Southport team survived without major mishap (apart from being over at the start?) to finish 16th overall.
A bit mixed would probably sum up the afternoon. Sunshine with cloudy spells, wind varying between force 0 and 3, and shifting between NE and NW!
As ever, OD Moore was determined to start on time, and he did. Unfortunately not all sailors were there on time. Despite being late for the start AJ, caught up with, and passed, Joan/Jack to take the lead which he held through to the finish. It’s a shame that he wouldn’t repeat it in the second race in which Joan got away and continued to strengthen her lead.
Banter sailed the first race well taking a deserved win from David Hazelden, but a good performance by Joe Watkins in his RS300 in the second race, and Banter doing an extra penalty turn for hitting a mark put paid to a repeat performance, and the race ended with David taking 1st place.
John Roberts in a Pico had one of those ‘could do better’ days when, in the first race, he couldn’t work out where he was going on the final leg giving away precious minutes (!) and his chance of 1st place to Mik. Jim C was out in his Hartley in the second race, and sailed well to take 1st with Mik 2nd.
Sunday brought more sunshine but a battle of the winds left a central calm patch resulting in a delayed start once the forecast northerly took control of the racing area. As with Saturday, the wind direction twitched somewhat before backing more to the west by the end of the race which was the first of a two race, one day series for all classes on fleet handicap.
Mike/Kayla sailed well in the morning race to pull out out a good lead securing consistent lap times despite the variable conditions around the course, but the last lap conditions suited the GPs better as they closed the gap taking the first three positions, and Hugh in a Vareo took 4th pushyMike down to 5th.
The race after lunch had a steadier SW breeze which suited Mike’s F15 and he won overall more than 20 secs ahead of Joe W in a RS300. Hugh’s chance at winning disappeared as he capsized on the 2nd beat. Perhaps the afternoon conditions would never suit the GPs but AJ’s chance after taking the lead faded after trying to defend his position coming into the leeward mark which he promptly over-ran (or went the wrong side of) as he was taking down the kite.
Final positions were very close with GPs of Joan and Paul on 5pts, with Joan’s 1st splitting the tie in her favour, and Mike in his F15 with 6pts taking 3rd overall.
When the turbines at Bothel aren’t turning, it is not surprising that there is no wind on the lake. However, just before the scheduled start time a breeze s filled in from the south enabling the fleets to enjoy good sailing conditions throughout the afternoon, and the rain stayed away too!
A select fleet of two GPs, Dave/Lynn and Joan/Jack, battled it out each securing a win each. Joan currently leads the series. In the fast handicap fleet, it was Scumper and Banter in RS100s that mastered the conditions, each taking a 1st place. Steve/Ruth in their Merlin played second fiddle taking a 2nd and a 3rd, but Banter leads the series. With Tog’s Solo still being repaired after the Nationals, Joanie was back on the water again after her ducking on Thursday, and was pleased when the shorten course signal sounded saving one further lap.
Despite Mik being keen to get a good start by mingling with the fast handicap fleet (he didn’t think he’d get away with that did he?!) in the first race, it was Jim in the Hartley 12 that won both races, and took the series lead from Hazel who was racing in the fast handicap fleet (correctly, of course, as she was in a Laser Radial).
Will the Bass micro climate save the day on Sunday, or will the forecast high winds prevent all racing for the day? Well, when everyone arrived the wind was moderate, the sun was shining, and the air temperature somewhat tropical, all so much better than forecast.
Although 8/9 boats prepared to go out, by the time they were ready to launch the wind had started to freshen, and white horses appeared. Only five boats took to the water, but Alex/Olivia, the love birds, retired after their main came down before the start, leaving just four starters. Ethan, being the smallest and lightest, was first to capsize in his Radial. Several capsizes later, he was first to finish too (having completed just one lap). It didn’t stop him going for a bit of a blast after finishing. The next casualty was Shunty/Ruth causing them to be 3rd on Handicap behind Dave/Lynn who had no competition in the GPs. We reckon Lynn had her foot well and truly down in relation to flying the kite as it never appeared once ( but they stayed upright)! That leaves winners Robbie D/Banter who took best advantage of the gusts by flying their kite. Although even Banter must have been getting nervous with the ‘guidance’ he was giving Robin. A blast for them after finishing resulted in a quick capsize…
After a five week break the Night Jar restarted with Round 13. It was overcast with a constant force 4 southerly wind and some chop. The course was 7-3-1 giving a long beat, a good beam reach and a gybe mark leading to a close reach to the final mark.
There were 18 starters on a fairly short line and the GP of Val & Ken, going for the port end, was driven over and forced to return. Going from a fast leg into a tight gybe caused a few capsizes including the 200 of Toggle and Joan. At the end of lap 1 the two Joes � Watkins and Roberts � had pulled out a lead in their 300 and 100 respectively followed by the GPs. Joan & Jack had AJ & Sue close astern.
With lap times of 11 minutes and with rain threatening it was decided to finish the fleet after 3 circuits, the exceptions being Josh�s Tera and David�s Topper as they had been lapped.
On return to the Clubhouse and the meal prepared by Debbie and helpers, results were calculated. Joan & Jack took the win on FH from AJ & Sue with Joe Watkins third. Val & Ken had gradually worked themselves up the fleet to finish fourth ahead of Neil�s Radial.
On PH Hazel in a Radial took the win with Aj & Sue second closely followed by Izzie also in a Radial, it was great to see both girls sailing brilliantly in their Radials.
Over 50 helms have now contested one, or more, rounds in the Series and there are still three rounds to run.
With Bass Week becoming but a memory, and after a busy triathlon yesterday, numbers at the club were lower than usual. Those that did race enjoyed some good sailing conditions, with a southerly breeze that was better than forecast, and increased as the day went on.
Newcomer John Roberts got to grips with our way of racing and won the Slow Handicap fleet race in his Pico, while Scumper/Joe took the honours in the Fast Handicap fleet, and Val/Ken in the GPs.
The afternoon race was a pennant race around the lake, and sailors seemed to appreciate the simplest of courses – 12, 0 for which they didn’t seem to need a pencil to write it down!
Scumper had a good lead at the windward mark, but the wind on the way back favoured the later boats resulting in close finish and just 2 secs separating the lead boats with Joan/Jack in a GP beating Banter in his RS100 (who was pleased to ‘reel Scumper in’ on the run back.
BL latest results
Pennant race
Sandra’s Salver
Thursday evening Night Jar starts again this week, but don’t forget that there is an earlier start time of 7pm to suit the nights closing in.
Saturday sunshine and a good wind were the order of the day for a fleet of 21 boats in Fleet Challenge B. Originally programmed as a pursuit series of 5 races, there was a last minute change to a four race series on fleet handicap.�There was a wide range of skills and handicaps within the fleet ranging from RS 400 though to Mirror.
The wind strength caused a few capsizes, and several retirements before the second race which only had 12 competitors. Tony was a premature starter, then had a collision returning, and�had to do a 720 before getting back into the race.
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Robbie D/Banter have a clear overnight lead with two 1sts, Joan/Jack are 2nd, but the next three boats (Tony, Joe W & AJ) are all on equal points.
Sunday started bright with a good southerly, nothing like the forecast! Perhaps the wet and windy forecast was too off-putting for some as the turnout was half that of Saturday. By the start of the race, there seemed to be two winds, but keeping the course out of the shadow of Sale Fell kept the boats in wind, if somewhat variable at times. Over lunchtime the clouds were more threatening, and the rain finally appeared just before racing started in a slightly lighter breeze.
Robbie D/Banter won the series with three 1sts, while Joan/Jack took second overall, neither boat opting to venture out in the rain soaked final race!
Bass Week starts next week, so your help at Tuesday’s working party would be appreciated – be at the club from 6.30pm
The Flying Fifteen Open, part of the Waples Wine travellers series, and the GP Open, part of the Northern Bell, are taking place this weekend. The first race on Saturday was scheduled for 1300hrs but blustery winds were forecast to ease so proceedings were delayed an hour, by which time there was a lot more enthusiasm to give it a go!
The wind did ease but there were still squalls that would catch sailors out from time to time. Our own AJ was one of them, capsizing just before the start on the start line, getting stuck in the mud, eventually getting free and continuing his merry way only to capsize on the finish line after the 2nd race!
It was the GP fleet that suffered the most from the squalls which flattened three boats at the start of the first reach which shook up the positions.�Andy/Ginger Phil took the honours in the first race from Dave/Lynn, who won the 2nd race and take overnight lead.
In the F15s, Simon/Jon took an early lead but it was Andy McKee that would survive the longer races to finish the day with two wins. For consistency Steve Goacher took two 2nds, and Simon two 3rds.
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For the evening entertainment, and the Flying Fifteen sailors in particular, Steve Goacher will be providing some valuable input on “sniffing out the wind” (perhaps ‘snuffing out the wind’ might be more appropriate after todays weather!) and Phil Evans will give an insight into spinnaker handling.
After a very wet night for campers, winds eased a little as forecast for Sunday. There was still some great racing, close reaches, and a few broaches to challenge sailors, but most sailors raced all three races to the bitter end.
Not sure why, but the first race had two protest flags, and a 720 pirouette, in the F15 fleet. Apart from that, all 10 starts were clear, no known boat damage, so a good time was had by all.
Andy McKee and Rich Jones from Dovestone won the F15 trophy with 4 pts while Andy Smith and Flaming Ginger Phil won the GP trophy with 5 pts
Prizes were awarded by Commodore’s wife Kirstie Somerville.
