GNAC 2014 is less than a couple of weeks away and we have decided to offer a �5 discount for early entries made through our WebCollect online portal. This discount is available until Bank Holiday Monday 21 April so don’t put it off too long!
Bass Week entries will go live shortly
The last day before British Summer Time started sunny with a good southerly breeze, which increased as the morning progressed but the white horses eased before racing was underway. Mike F led the first half of the Celebrity Glass Pursuit in his Streaker, until being passed by Mike/Kayla, who were subsequently passed by winners Robbie D/Banter in a 400.
Scumper/Alastair had a few problems taking down their gennaker, slowing them down on the start of the beats, while Mike F became the 2nd boat to capsize this season.
In the 2nd race, Mike/Kayla led the F15s as Ian/Lezli-Ann and Graham/Elaine battled it out for 2nd place. Robbie D won in the handicap fleet.
Latest results – Celebrity Glass / Morgan Trophy
Sunday started hazy with a light SE breeze, and a simple triangular course was set which proved to be more appropriate for the variable strength airs which faded to a drifter as two wind directions fought it out. How Ian Mac capsized in such conditions we may never know!
In the F15s Ian/Lezli-Ann broke through to the lead and held it with Graham/Elaine 2nd. Robin/Banter had a close race with with Bean/Naomi, but, unfortunately for Robin, Bean was in a 200! Dave/Lynn again showed their mastery of the conditions in their GP, gradually pulling out a bigger lead on Andy/Phil.
The Youth squad had their first race of the season which Heidi led throughout, with David a close 2nd
With a sunny lunchtime, many took the opportunity to dine al fresco
The afternoon race was a pennant. Many of the 12 starters were keen to go round the lake so that’s what they did. A fair breeze took them down the lake but it was a bit more flukey on the return leg. Robbie D led the race, but Mike/Kayla stayed close enough to beat them on handicap, win the race, and give Kayla the lead in Sandra’s Salver. Andy/Phil led Dave/Lynn around the course finishing 3rd overall, just 11 secs behind Robbie D (on handicap).
Results – Calvert Trust Pennant / Sandra’s Salver (latest)
As if by magic, the sailing season is underway for the 63rd season.
Recent weather, and a poor forecast didn’t deter a dozen boats from taking to the water in, what turned out to be, good sailing conditions for the Starter’s Prize.
In the morning race Robbie D/Banter took the lead in a RS400, while Andy/Ginger Phil raced the new Gingerboat GP, eventually ‘released the handbrake’ (as Andy put it) and pulled out a strong lead from the other GPs. Bean/Naomi were back on the water in their RS200, and, not unexpectedly, were always in the frame but finished 2nd on handicap to Robbie D by just 12 secs.
Scumper/Tog were in a RS400 for the day, and led the afternoon race. Robbie D was close on their tail at the windward mark and promptly capsized after slipping while launching the gennaker. It was to be Andy that would win the race on handicap followed by Mike/Eric and Joan/Jack in another two GPs, and Bean/Naomi came 4th which earned them 2nd overall behind winners Andy/Phil
Final results
This weekend also�saw 17 young children taking part in organised training led by the RYA coach Dave Eccles. The children�s aims were to have as many races as they could in the two days, and learn how to sail faster. With snow on the fells around Bassenthwaite and the occasional gusty sleet and hail shower passing by, the kids had to wrap up as warm as possible. Despite not wanting to get wet, some ended up taking unseasonal dips in the ice cold water.
With many of the early races were being won by the trio of Jamie Kerr, Jenny Dunn and Hazel Newport, Dave Eccles was soon having to bring in a�handicap system, by making the leaders do 360 degree turns, so the rest could keep up. After several dozen single lap races and a few suggestions to each person on how to sail faster the older members watching from the warmth of the clubhouse could see quite an improvement.
The children will have a few more weekends of race coaching before Easter, when the next intake of beginners will start learning to sail, and last years intake of students have to start sailing alongside the old hands.
Bassenthwaite Sailing Club is now recruiting new members and is offering introductory training to racing level in the first year.
Four teams from Bass made the journey to the Yorkshire Dales for the rescheduled Brass monkey, the fifth event as part of the Winter Sail Juice Series – Ethan & Robbie D (200), Bean & Na (200) Mark and Joe (400) and Banter & Toggle (400). Unfortunately Bean was ill and couldn’t compete.
Competitors were met by the early mist which saw racing postponed to 11:30.
Eventually getting away they enjoyed a very shifty SE F2 to F4 with 2 races as planned. The 80 boats were divided into 3 starts with FH, MH & SH, and a separate start for lasers, the results all being worked out on PY at the conclusion.
In race one Scumper/Joe battled hard with Chris Pickles and finished 2nd 400 and a very strong 15th overall. Banter/Tog struggled to work out the starting signals and started 3 mins after the rest of the FH fleet putting them down the rankings.
In the MH fleet the Dawson’s put pay to an excellent start and capsized just after mark 3 trying to tack with the jib remaining cleated whilst in second place.
Race 2 saw the same course being set by the Race Officer. Banter/Tog started on time and despite some over competitiveness (running another competitor aground) they finished the race well as 6th 400 and 51st overall. Scumper & Jo continued where they left off in race one and were amongst the leaders for much of the race, eventually finishing as 3rd 400 and 33rd.
The Dawson’s managed to stay upright in race 2 and had a good battle for 1st 200, but a lot of rusty boat handling and poor fitness saw them drop to third by the gun and 43rd overall.
With both races to count in the overall standings Scumper/Joe finished 22nd, Banter/Tog 51st and the Dawson’s with only one race to count 72nd.
Overall a very enjoyable day (although Scumper locked his car keys in his car at the end of the event & couldn’t get home!), competive racing, good food & good banter. We would encourage all Bass sailors to try and make this event next year.
No, this isn’t to congratulate Mike on losing a daughter and gaining a son-in-law following their recent wedding.
Neither is it to congratulate him on a birth (as far as I know).
However, with racing being cancelled for the second weekend in a row, and just one race remaining next Sunday, he and Kayla are the first trophy winners for NEXT year’s prizegiving as their two sets of firsts in the personal and fleet handicap versions of the Winter Series puts them in an unassailable position. Congratulations!
A lack of wind for the third week in a row brought the season to close without any further racing, and gave members an opportunity to pack their boats away before the onslaught of Winter.
Further congratulations go to Mike on his three year appointment as director on the board of the RYA at their AGM this week.
Earlier in the day, Mik Chappell received a RYA Community Award for Lifetime Commitment to Sailing from HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony and lunch in ICE headquarters, London. Mik was deservedly nominated by the club earlier in the year.
Okay, so Winter may not have arrived yet (although snow was spotted on the side of the A66 this morning), but the temperature has dropped significantly over the course of the week, and the Winter Series started today.
The overnight winds, and forecast, cast a shadow on the likelihood of racing getting underway, but surprisingly the wind had abated sufficiently to tempt out a small fleet of just three boats.
Jim C, back to fighting fitness, was well positioned on the start line, but not quite close enough to the starboard pin to squeeze Mike/Kayla out. Mike soon got clear ahead sufficiently to win on both fleet and personal handicap, with Jim 2nd on fleet handicap, and Peter 2nd on personal handicap.
In the cold weather, sailors were happy to sail both races back to back, and a couple of Toppers joined in too. Jim positioned himself better on the start line, and Mike opted to duck between the Supernovas, but soon took the lead and the race on both personal and fleet basis, with Jim 2nd. The Toppers took the race less seriously, with Ethan giving what seemed like some personal coaching (no it wasn’t a girl helming the other boat [this time]). After several capsizes, deliberate, or otherwise, they both retired.
With the forecast of gales, and rain, there was only a few sailors tempted to take to the water for the end of the October Series. With the gusts increasing, of those that took to the water, a couple returned to shore even before racing started, and of the four that started, surprisingly, Jim Christie gave up after the first beat!
One lap into the race and Dave/Lynn were still giving the two F15s a run for their money as they were only a matter of secs behind. Mike/Kayla did pull ahead and finished 1st, but were beaten by Dave/Lynn on handicap who capsized secs after finishing.
With the gusts still passing through, Mike/Kayla opted out of the 2nd race, and Dave/Lynn called it a day during the start sequence, leaving Tim/Ian to race alone. Fortunately for the, the OD shortened the race at the end of the 2nd beat.
Dave/Lynn were overall winners of the October Series on both personal and fleet handicap.
Final results (PH) (FH)
Sunday started windy, with occasional heavy downpours. Those that did turn up seemed more intent on moving their boats, and making them safe, rather than sailing. So Peter Ballard’s second OD duty of the year turned out like the first, with racing abandoned!
MJM/Asymmetric Cup Final Results
With the clock changed, and October at an end, there aren’t many races left, and they’re all scheduled for Sundays in November.
Bonfire night celebrations take place on Saturday 2nd. Please bring a large display firework. Hot snacks will be available.
On behalf of the GP 14 Association I would like to thank Bassenthwaite Sailing Club for agreeing to host this End of Season Championship, it was a great weekend event.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and that is due entirely to all the hard work that was put in by so many of your Club members.
Thank you for your help over the months and I wish the Club every success in the future. We will look forward to being with you again next Autumn
Kind regards
Gill
There is a healthy list of entrants for this weekend’s GP14 End of Season Open Championship. The forecast was for some good winds (with a touch of rain!). The rain held off, but the wind swung more to the South resulting in Sale Fell having its inimitable effect on the sailing area.
It took three goes before there was a clean start, and that was only due to the black flag having an effect! Neil Marsden took an early lead, which he strengthened and won the first race. The Sale Fell effect resulted in occasional squalls passing through the course and catching out some sailors, seemingly capsizing in pairs!
The second race enjoyed a cleaner start, with just two early starters. Unfortunately one didn’t return…
Although the course area was similar, there were some unfortunate shadows on the left hand side of the course at times, causing some bunching initially, challenging conditions, and changes in positions.
Matt Thursfield came out best, and held his lead to the finish, with Mike Senior 2nd. Neil Marsden secured 4th and is overnight leader, on equal points with Mike Senior.
On Saturday evening there was a formal dinner to celebrate the end of this year’s GP Grand Prix, followed by a prize giving.
Sunday started damp but faired with the forecast SE breeze, though without the forecast force 6 gusts! Eager starters quickly toed the line with the reintroduction of the black flag.
Although Mike Senior was first to start at +2 secs, Neil Marsden again held him off in the shifty conditions. The occasional gusts led to a couple of capsizes, and there some unfortunate collisions. Dave Gebhard had sailed well, holding 3rd place but capsized at the penultimate mark, and again on the final beat, before retiring. In the Vintage fleet, Steve Parry with a jubilant stand in novice Bass crew, Louise Rodger, secured a healthy lead to take their 3rd win, and the series.
Despite a desire by several sailors to take advantage of the full length of the course area, the OD must have taken pity on Neil Marsden who admitted to being shattered after race 3, and kept the course in the main bay. The Commodore’s claim to sailing fame over the weekend was getting the best start in the last race! Though in a strong position, Neil Marsden defended his lead by covering Mike Senior’s every move. By the end of the first beat Andy Tunnicliffe took a lead which he held to the finish, with Neil working his way through to 2nd, thereby securing the series. Best Bass finisher (apart from Louise), was Dave Lawson who came 7th.
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This weekend’s racing comprises six races for all fleets with the results calculated on a personal handicap basis. With a fleet of 17 boats, the start line, and rounding of the first few marks, was unusually busy resulting in boats ‘appearing’ unexpectedly and some emergency tacks, so it was important to try to get clear air as soon as possible.
Steve/Elaine led the first race, but personal handicap pushed their result down to 15th place. Only 5 secs on corrected time separated Alan/Sue in their GP, Ken in a Solo, and Jim in a Supernova, finishing 2nd to 4th respectively. Having sailed well in her Mirror, Pam had some close racing throughout the afternoon with Mik, ending the day in pole position with two firsts to count.
Apparently Mik and Pam were so close at one stage that Mik had to do turns after bumping into Pam after she asked for water.
Another 2nd place for Alan in the 2nd race put him 2nd overall overnight. Kath/Glynis won the last race of the day and lie 3rd overall.
The only capsize of the afternoon was by Banter during a gybe and he combined it with a spectacular backward flip out of his boat!
By the time racing started on Sunday the drizzle had moved in. The wind was slightly stronger than Saturday but it was the gusts, combined with dead runs and gybe marks, that kept catching boats out – three capsized at the first gybe mark almost simultaneously! Pam earned another win and had an unassailable lead securing the series with two races to go.
Although the drizzle disappeared after lunch, the morning capsizes had taken their toll, and numbers racing reduced to eight boats. A triangular course meant there was only one gybe mark to contend with, but gusts still challenged the F15s and flattened some of the other boats on the reaches. Peter sailed well in his Supernova in the conditions, winning race 5 and beating Tim/Ian in their F15.
By the final race, there were just six starters and only three finishers, with the honours going to Tim/Ian and giving them 2nd overall ahead of Alan/Sue. Even at just over 30 mins, there were some that felt they had sailed one lap too many. Clearly, there will be many that sleep well tonight!