Category: Racing

A fleet of 10 Mirrors enjoyed sunny conditions with a good wind to boot in a one day open meeting. Past Sailing Sec Roy, sailing with Daisy, was a premature starter but slow to return to the pre-start side, losing almost 3 mins in the process! #shouldknowbetter

Robin Dawson sailed with Amber, well until her lips started to turn blue… Perhaps it was just as well, or was it because, he didn’t take her in the final race because he capsized!

Meanwhile at the front of the fleet, there was to be lots of close racing between three boats – John/Alfie Telford, David/Ed Coady & Andy/Katia Smith. John and Andy each had a win under their belt after two races, and David had a 2nd, giving all three the chance of winning in the final race. All three took the lead, and it seemed that David was going to take the title, but he suddenly dropped back when his spinnaker was caught under the boat. That left John and Andy battling it out with just two legs to go – Andy took the lead and the winners trophy.

P1030018 — Winners Andy and Katia with mum Emma

P1030017 — Katia didn’t miss this photocall!

Mirror Open Final Results

Just one example of the close F15 racing
Photo (c) Angus Corry

In the club racing, which formed part of a championship weekend series, there was some very close racing between 4 boats in the F15 fleet which resulted in Neil/Ian and Mike/Kayla each sharing a 1st and a 2nd. With Mike winning the 2nd race, he was overnight leader.

The close racing continued throughout Sunday, which started with a light, shifting breeze, but strengthened throughout the morning and afternoon. John/Tim had to return after a premature start but took the right side of the beat and led at the windward mark! There was a regular change of positions throughout the day, especially with the different pockets of wind passing through, but Simon/Jon mastered both races and took two wins, with Mike/Kayla and Neil/Ian each sharing a second. Any one of them could have won the series, and as they all finished with 5 points to count, it was Simon’s win in the last race that won him the Mellor Mug.

In the GPs, Robin/Phil had two clear wins while Alan/Sue and Alastair/Claire continued their battle. Alastair had a strong lead in the morning race until he capsized, and although they righted quickly, Alan sneaked past, held off Alastair till the finish by the closest of margins, and retained the Commodore’s Prize.

Ethan took three wins and the Topper trophy, with Harry 2nd.

In the handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth were in pole position overnight with two 1sts, but were delayed getting to the morning start, so had to rely on the final race to secure the trophy. Although Scumper won both Sunday races, Steve’s 2nd in the final race was enough for him to win the Isel Cup.

Final results

Night Jar A6

31 May, 2013

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The latest round of the Night Jar series was held in warm and sunny conditions with a light NE Wind. The superb evening brought out sixteen boats including several from the Club’s own training fleet.

Tim Chittenden running the Bates and Matt Page as OD shortened the course at the forty five minute mark and the GP of Mike Fairlamb crewed by a returning Eric Smith crossed first ahead of Dave & Lynn Lawson. The Fifteens, 400s and Joan & Jack Hardie’s 200 all completed an additional fourth lap.

Tanya Briggs laid on this week’s meal while Elaine Hunt provided a full bar service! Provisional results were delayed while an attempt was made to establish who was helming each boat. When they were issued they showed Mike & Eric were an excellent first overall and Dave & Lynn second in both Fleet and PH categories.

In FH Neil & Judith were third, Graham & Kayla fourth and Joan & Jack fifth. On PH it was Alan & Sue in third. Visitor Ben Whitaker was a superb fourth in a Topper although whether his result will stand in the series must be open to question.

Sunny Bank Holiday

25 May, 2013

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Glorious sunny morning, but no wind led to a mirror like lake. Mid morning brought a light breeze which swung and strengthened from the west for some good sailing conditions. The sun was so tempting, many wore their summer shorts/gear despite the chill wind.

By starting on time, well almost, meant there were some stragglers with a bit of catching up to do!

Bean was trying his hand in an RS100 but he wasn’t spotted as one of the several boats that capsized at the gybe mark. There was some close racing in different areas of the different fleets, including Jamie Kerr keeping on Ethan’s tail in the Toppers.

A barbeque was an ideal way to top off a sunny day, and Commodore Andy used it to treat wife Emma to a celebratory meal on their wedding anniversary – burgers and champagne! The UEFA cup final was followed by an evening of bingo.

Latest MG results

Sunday started bright and windless but fortunately it turned into another great racing day.

There were various capsizes in both races. Alastair probably has the bruises to prove it after he fell on to his centreboard during one of his capsizes. Alastair also trawled his gennaker at one stage which brought him to a sudden halt!

45 members and guests enjoyed a three course Spring dinner which was held in the clubhouse, and many spotted our local otter swimming just before dusk.

Was a sudoku toilet roll, won by Mike F, really the star prize in the raffle? No of course not! The GP fleet seemed to get the lion’s share of the prizes though, and Ian C was presented with a candle laden birthday cake (well a cup cake with a candle). Fortunately Steve’s fire raising was quickly quashed despite him not being prepared to douse the flames with his beer!

Latest BL results

The forecast for Monday wasn’t looking good, but they’re not always right… ….except on a bank holiday! As forecast the rain moved in, and the wind strengthened, and there were various heavy squalls during the morning. However, it did prove to be sailable, and 11 boats took to the water and raced up the lake to mark 11. The squalls did not particularly appear, though one did catch Toggle out on a gybe mark. Alan/Alastair raced in a F15, and Alan found that the main sheet can be difficult to release in gusts resulting in them being flattened and having to bail out for the next few minutes up the beat! Simon/Jon led the fleet around the course winning the first race by 30 secs ahead of Dave/Lynn.

The damp conditions proved too much for some and they opted for an early finish after a long weekend rather than sail the final race which kept the boats in the main bay, though there were some flukey conditions as they rounded 7. One of the gusts passing through showed us that Alan hadn’t learned his lesson and was still struggling to release his main because he was again flattened. At least he was able to make a below the waterline inspection of his F15 as he stood on the keel!

This time Dave/Lynn took the honours from Simon/Jon, giving them each a 1st and a 2nd in the two race series, with the tie splitting in favour of Dave who had the best result in the last race.

Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy Final results

Night Jar A5 – 23 May 13

25 May, 2013

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The thought of tackling force 7 winds which were blowing around the Solway put a fair few off getting to the Club for tackling Round 5 of the Night Jar. Ten boats were readied but Martin Overend was without a crew and Alan Jones lost a halyard down the mast.

Julian Cruickshank and Ian Macpherson took the Bates out to set a course but, with a NW wind, finding a true beat was tricky. They decided on a start line upwind of 4 and 1-5-A-4 as an interesting, but little used course including two beats.

The GP of Dave & Lynn Lawson led at the first mark but they were overhauled by Graham Kirkpatrick / Kayla Sheard and then Tim Knowles / Martin Statter in their Fifteens. Joe Watkins’ 300 was in touch with the lead group until a capsize dropped him back down the order.

Mike Fairlamb was finding that he was unable to flatten the Streaker’s sail sufficiently for the beats and he also dropped back, while the 200 of Mike & Joan Cowan went for a wide rounding of 1 and lost time in the wind shadow. On the second lap Joe again capsized and decided to retire.

Results showed Dave & Lynn finishing ahead of Graham & Kayla on both FH and PH. Tim & Martin were third on FH with Eric Guillois / Chris Brookes taking their FF into third place on PH.

A day of mixed fortunes….

20 May, 2013

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Where was the promised Sunday sunshine? Campers woke to a drizzly morning and guess what – no wind!

Miraculously some finally appeared and the rescue lads were called back urgently from their early lunch in Cockermouth. The OD started the race and spinnakers even managed to fly. The second lap caused confusion as B had been moved nearer to 9 to provide a better beat. In clear air Simon/Jon developed a significant lead leaving the rest of the fleet to jostle closely for position. Graham/Sally took B to port instead of starboard but were informed by kindly sailors, recovered quickly and soon regained their original position. Others were less fortunate and dropped down the fleet. Simon/Jon were deserved winners.

After lunch (tasty steak pie) a brave OD decided to try a second race. Unfortunately this quickly developed into a drifter and finished after three legs – even that was a struggle.

Graham McKee from Dovestone was the final overall winner with Simon/Jon second, John Hardisty third and Graham/Sally winning the Waples Wine silver fleet.

For some, it was a weekend’s sailing best forgotten!

Unlucky for some!

18 May, 2013

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13 intrepid Flying Fifteens set off in the wet but unfortunately not wild conditions. After moving the Bates four times the OD decided that it was now or never and the postponement flag was dropped.

Yet again Ian/Lezli-Ann were over the line and the rest of the fleet whizzed off-ha ha!! Roy/Alan made good pace up the first leg, only to be the tail ender by the first mark. A wind shift at the death denied Graham/Sally the prestige of winning the windward mark and the word drifter subsequently sprang to mind. Perseverance was definitely the order of the day with only one boat retiring.

Dave McKee-F15 GBR was the lucky winner with Simon and a desperate Jon (don’t ask) gaining second and John x2 finishing third.

The OD then took pity and decided enough was enough and racing was abandoned for the day.

Guess what – the wind doesn’t look much better for tomorrow!!

Night Jar 4

17 May, 2013

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Nothing could have been clearer. The wind immediately before the start of the race on Thursday evening was coming in from the NE. Forecasts, turbines and burgees clearly said so. OD Ian Macpherson was satisfied and set the start line after 0 with a course of 4-1-9-0.

Eleven boats beat out to the start line and the six minute signal was sounded. What happened? The wind swung 180 to SW! So it was off to go with kites flying: at least for a while. The light breeze progressively dropped and by 9 it had died completely. The OD considered finishing at the end of lap 1 but only twenty minutes had been sailed.

Then the wind kicked in again at 0 and from the original direction so lap two was as planned. Neil & Judith Currie’s 400 led over the line from Joan & Jack Hardie’s 200 and Joe Watkins’ 300. RS rules! Then it was Dave and Lynn Lawson’s GP and Tim Knowles / Martin Statter in the first of the Fifteens.

Mike Fairlamb in the Streaker, who was well down the finishing order, was optimistic that he had done ok on FH. But who knows? Results were delayed as the Bates Driver’s calculator had packed in!

and Then There Were Three..

12 May, 2013

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Sunday’s forecast threatened to be wet and windy, fortunately there was not too much of the former, and it was not quite as blustery as Saturday either!

In the morning, a fleet of six in the handicap fleet was led by Steve, with guest appearance of Elaine (she obviously managed to unlock those bar chains!), who stayed upright, though most of his competition went swimming at some stage in the race. Banter finished second ahead of Alan/Sue in a GP.

Mike/Kayla found their pace again and led throughout the F15 race while Tim/Ian battled it out with Ian/Lezli-Ann for 2nd place.

Night Jar A3

10 May, 2013

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Thursday’s forecast was so dire that most prospective Night Jar competitors decided that it wasn’t worth travelling to the Club. So we ended up with two boats; the Streaker of Mike Fairlamb and the Merlin of John Reekie/Joe Watkins.

The generally Force 3 wind was SE so a race office start from 0 was agreed, the course to be 8-A-0. But the wind swung S at the last moment so this became a shorter 9-A-0. Mike led for the first 8 minute lap but John/Joe closed up resulting in to a close race before the Merlin pulled ahead.

A lap later Sale Fell came into play with Mike coming to a stop just before 9 and then being pushed downwind on what was previously a run to A. OD Paul Clark decided to shorten for the end of lap 4 as a band of mist and rain was heading in from the Keswick end of the Lake.

Then it was into the clubhouse for a meal prepared by Lynn and Dave Lawson and results calculated manually by the mathematician OD. These showed that Mike had won both on Fleet and on Personal Handicap. He has extended his lead in the PH category and has overtaken Neil & Judith Currie to lead on FH.

May Bank Holiday

5 May, 2013

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Monday

While the South seemed to be basking in bank holiday sunshine, Monday started overcast with light shifting winds in the bay, but with apparently steadier winds from the south, after a delayed start trying to find steadier winds, the OD opted to take the fleet down to mark 14. By the time the F15s started, the wind was settling from the SW, which meant there was a huddle of eager boats fighting for the starbaord end of the line for a reaching start. Three boats either mis-timed, or were forced over, the start and had to return.

The wind shift led to some flukey conditions down the lake, which various boats seem to revel in, while back in the bay the wind had steadied and there was some exciting reaches to enjoy before the final beat. Alastair tried some involuntary water skiing after being washed out of his boat in one of the downdraughts and then being towed behind it for a while!

Unfortunately one of the Catapults took the finish line the wrong way, and another three boats followed, though the others did redeem their mistake.

By lunchtime the sun was shining and the picnic benches were full! The wind held for the final race of the weekend. Having been over the line in the morning race, Simon/Jon were again premature starters in the afternoon along with Ian/Lezli-Ann. Although they restarted, they both later retired. Steve/Ruth were caught out by a gust at a gybe mark losing their lead big style.

With no other competitors in the Topper fleet, Ethan sailed in the handicap fleet, sailing brilliantly to finish ahead of Val in her Solo, and 5th on handicap in the race.

Despite their over eager starts, with three 1sts on Sunday, Simon/Jon still won the F15 Jak Pot ahead of Mike/Kayla. Scumper beat Steve/Ruth by 1 point to take the May Holiday Trophy, with Mark/Emma a couple of points behind in 3rd place. Ethan beat Jamie to take the Topper series, and Dave/Lynn beat Andy/Rob for the Lyne Tankard with Paul/Ken 3rd.

Final Club Results
Final Catapult Results

Sunday

Sunday started damp, drizzly and breezy for the three races scheduled. There were many exciting reaches, made all the more hairy by squalls that also made the gybe marks somewhat challenging at times.

The rescue crews were kept busy keeping a careful watch on the numerous capsizes and broaches by boats in all fleets, including the Catapults. Also, it was a day for helms, and crews, falling out of boats, with Neil, Ian and Sally being but three of them!

Red spinnakers seemed to be the curse of the F15 fleet with both Lezli-Ann and Keith having major problems at times trying to unravel twists in the blustery conditions. Dave/Lynn’s binding at the head of their genoa became undone, but despite losing ground they managed to hold off Andy/Rob on the final beat.

The shadow of Sale Fell led to patches of light wind with un-nerving conditions as the downdraughts caused major powerful shifts, and capsized numerous boats.

While the sailors battled with the elements in the third race, the ladies had prepared an afternoon tea party with sufficient cakes to feed them for a week! Fortunately there were some morsels left when racing finished!

The evening finished with The Great Ribena

Saturday

There was a good turnout of club boats, together with the visiting Catapults, for the May bank holiday.

Blustery conditions led to some exciting racing coupled with plenty of capsizes.

The Commodore made it on the water for his first race of the season, but struggled with a worn spinnaker halyard which slipped through the cleat on gusts. Good for depowering, but not for taking advantage of the gusts! He had some close racing with Dave/Lynn but managed to take the lead for the final beat. Instructors Mike/Nigel were again demonstrating their capsize technique alongside Alan/Sue who seemed to master it somewhat better!

Lady Emma, the Commodore’s wife, sailing in an Enterprise with Mark found the conditions challenging. Nothing to do with Scumper plying her with a drink or two the previous evening was it?

John Somerville made a guest appearance in Keith’s F15 and put up a good fight against Mike/Kayla, leading at times, but taking a crucial place from them on the finish line. Ian/Lezli-Ann also sailed well and managed to fight back a several times to win both races.

There was some consistent sailing in the handicap fleet with 1st, 2nd and 3rd places going to Steve/Ruth, Toggle and Banter in both races. Zefer was practising his capsize skills again.

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