Entries for the first round of the season long Night Jar Series are usually a little sparse. But, on this occasion, regular competitors were supplemented by nine Trainees or beginners giving a total of eighteen boats on the water.
The evening was warm and dry with an extremely light NE wind. With calm patches around the bay, race officer Ian Macpherson chose a clockwise course starting upwind of 0 with a beat to 1, a close reach to B and a long run as the final leg.
The Skiff of John Reekie took an early lead and completed the lap in 17 minutes. So, when given the option, he requested a further circuit. He was followed some 10 minutes later by the four GP14�s and Ethan Dawson�s Radial and, with the wind dropping near the Bassenthwaite shore, a shortened course was signalled at 0.
Mike Fairlamb / Ken Bell were first of the group to cross the line followed closely by John Riley / Nigel Lewis. However, the wind was shifting SE and both Alan Jones / Sue Watson and Kath Davis / Glenys Kett were pushed into 0 when rounding resulting in turns.
The trainees and beginners were receiving on the water instruction from Robbie Dawson and six completed the course with Julie Tomkinson and Peter Winfindale in Radials finished in under 38 minutes. Izzi Hunter in her Topaz Uno crossed the line just ahead of Morgan Glass who was helming the first Topper to finish. Congratulations to all who were attempting their first Club race.
The first bank holiday of the season started with sunshine but little prospect of wind for the inaugural Good Friday pursuit. However just 45 mins before the scheduled start a sea breeze quickly filled the lake so the racing could get underway on time (well almost as Herb declared that proceedings would be held up until the Lady Commodore was at the startline).
Sailing Sec Jon and sister Judith in a F15 got the best start of all throughout the 30 min sequence. By the time Robbie D/Banter started in their RS400 the wind strength had started to ease making their pursuit a bit harder.
Mik led the fleet in his Mirror initially but was passed by one of the Toppers from the Youth squad, and then Dave/Lynn took the lead. As the wind faded even more Dave’s lead proved to be unassailable though Robbie D closed the gap considerably to finish 2nd with Mike/Eric 3rd, and Mark/Naomi 4th. Graham/Elaine led the F15s finishing 5th
The evening entertainment comprised a wine tasting quiz, so there could be a few sore heads in the morning.
Nothing new�hereThere’s a bit of a theme going on
Another beautiful day for Easter Saturday started with a light SE breeze. However, by lunchtime, the wind had started to swing and it continued to swing to the NW by the time racing got underway.
The evening social comprised a bring and eat buffet followed by a Mr and Mrs competition in which the relatively newly weds generally fared better than others…
After another starry, cold, night Sunday has started sunny with a very light wind (nothing like the forecast).
As if by magic, the wind swung round to the forecast NE direction (so much for Simon’s prediction!) and continued to freshen. Although Shunty was over the line, because he didn’t return, and the flag remained up, Bean’s conscience got the better of him and he put his gennaker up to return back to the line (shame he hadn’t been OCS in the first place!)
With the wind freshening, and many capsizes, plus a few gear failures, the entry for the 2nd race was just the F15 and handicap fleet. However, the wind eased considerably to an extent that the spinnakers would not fill at one stage.
Winds shifts at mark 3 were the cause of many a change of position, and much frustration!
After lunch, with the less ferocious gusts having passed by, all four fleets raced again. The handicap fleet caused the first general recall of the season, together with much confusion as very few sailors seemed to know the procedure.
Towards the end of the race the winds again strengthened resulting in more capsizes, and retirements, including the whole of the Topper/Topaz fleet. One of the fallouts (so to speak) of the capsizing was the OD’s wife who took to the water with Alastair in a RS400, and had to put out a call for help in the shape of a 34F!
The early evening entertainment starts with the annual Egg Dump. Claire, that ringer from Newcastle came across especially with the intention of winning the Egg Dump, and despite being up against 6yr old Amber in the final, she attained her goal after a mere 40 odd years! This was followed by a belated St Patrick’s Day celebration with some special guests…
After windy evening, sailors were probably surprised to wake to another sunny morning with light winds. Perhaps the storm had blown through? The bank holiday forecast remained the same – strong gusts from the E. Similar to Sunday, the wind did fill in after 10am and continued to freshen. Although a few prepared their boats to launch, but changed their minds as the white horses appeared, there was a good turnout that enjoyed some spectacular reaches and often spectacular capsizes.
Ian/Lezli-Ann were spotted carefully folding their spinnaker in the clubhouse so that it was easier to rig on the boat. When launched, it so happened that the folding hadn’t helped as one of the clews was attached to the halyard…
After lunch there was little enthusiasm to risk any boat damage in the higher gusts so racing was cancelled and the campers had a leisurely end to their fantastic weekend.
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!
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.
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).
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!
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
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.