Thursday evening was, again, dry with a SW F4 wind which was surprisingly constant. So no capsizes and only a quick broach from Rory Yardley’s Fifteen. Ten boats were out including John Reekie with Joe Watkins in the Merlin which started half a leg behind.
Banter Phil and Jim Christie were supervising training in the area between buoy 9 and the Club and buoys had been moved for the GNAC so, from B the beat went to 0 (outside 9), a fetch to 8 (near Keswick! – well 7 anyway), a broad reach to A (near 5) and a tightening reach back to B.
From the port biased start line Neil & Judith Currie’s RS400 led on the water followed by the FF of Tim Knowles / Martin Statter and the GP of Dave & Lynn Lawson. Despite the long course, lead boats were lapping in 15 to 20 minutes and most boats completed three laps, the course being shortened for the final trio.
Then it was back to the Clubhouse for Glenys’ superb meal. Results showed Dave & Lynn winning both the PH & FH categories from Tim & Martin. Mike Fairlamb’s Streaker was third in the former and Neil & Judith in the latter.
This weekend Bass hosted the third Great North Asymmetric Challenge. Not that the sailors were the only ones facing a challenge, because the OD, Commodore Andy Smith had to cope with swinging winds to set suitable windward leeward courses!
Conditions varied throughout the afternoon, with some light patches to contend with at times, and great planing conditions at others. Those that found the zephyrs and gusts took advantage of them which led to some close racing. By the final race the wind had swung more to the NW and settled to a steady breeze which proved to be the best of the day.
Mike Saul/Meg Fletcher from Yorkshire Dales sailed well in the first race and won in their RS200 ahead of Dave Lawson from Bass in an RS Vareo. However, on the starting signal of the second race Mike’s main clew detached itself as he hardened in and he had to make some rapid running repairs to get back in the race.
As the wind started to back more towards the North during race 2, the beat became one sided, but it was to be Phil Smith/Ethan Dawson in an RS200 that took advantage of the gusts and won ahead of Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman from Delph in an RS400.
After a short wait (during which the Committee boat enjoyed a large pot of tea!) for the wind to fill in again and settle down, racing was underway again. Wayne Fletcher fell out of his RS400 on the 2nd beat, but quickly climbed back in and maintained his lead (for a while at least!). This time Dave Lawson took the honours with Phil Smith/Ethan Dawson 2nd.
The course was repositioned for the final race of the day, and sailors enjoyed stronger winds with less influence from nearby Sale Fell. The RS400s came into their own in these winds and it was Paul Allen/Robin Dawson from Leigh & Lowton that won with Chris Pickles 2nd.
The strong competition was clearly demonstrated by the wide mix of boats in the top two for each race, and only two points separate the top three boats on the overnight leaders board headed by Phil Smith, with Chris Pickles 2nd and Dave Lawson 3rd.
Tonight the sailors will enjoy a Mexican meal in the clubhouse followed by some live music from local entertainer Hulio. Perhaps they should build up their strength for the heavy winds forecast for Sunday?!
Wind and rain, as forecast, had its effect on Sunday’s results with the heavyweights coming to the fore. Chris/Matt’s best results for the day were 1, 1 & 3 and earned them the winner’s trophy, while Paul/Robin had 1, 2 & 2 which put them in 3rd behind Mike/Meg who secured 1, 2 & 4. Bass sailors Phil/Ethan, Mark Somerville (1st single hander in an RS Vareo), and Alex Leonard/Olivia Storey (in an RS 200) took the the next three places.
Prizes were awarded by the Commodore’s, and OD for the weekend, wife Emma.
The first round of the Night Jar A series took place this week. There were only nine competitors probably due to the damp weather earlier in the day. But it was sunny with a good enduring westerly in the evening. The centre of interest before the start was Mike Fairlamb’s home built Streaker which was immaculate before its first launch.
The OD started the fleet upwind from A and went to 9 on the beat then 8 then A. Neil & Judith Currie pulled out an early lead enjoying two tight Genniker legs. Joe led the pursuit in his RS300 from the FF of John Riley / Martin Statter. Martin Hope with Alan Jones crewing his RS200 had the kite jam up and they lost a number of places while sorting it.
The PH result went to Pam Bath in her Winder Mirror with Kath Davis / Glynys Kett making it a ladies one-two. Joe was third. Neil and Judith took the FH win from Joe and Mike.
Sunday started off wet and blustery, but as the morning went on the gusts eased (well some of them did!).
The wind had a massive curve in it such that the expected beat up the eastern shore was nearly a fetch to 5, followed by some wallowing (Ian reckoned he was going backwards at one stage) in the shade of Sale Fell before the gusts kicked in again (which caught several people out). Though Steve/Ruth were first across the line, they were beaten on handicap by Scumper. In the F15s, Mike/Kayla took the honours, with John/Tim 2nd.
The afternoon race was a pennant in aid of Calvert Trust. Despite a good breeze in the bay, there was an obligatory penance element of the course that took the fleet partway down the lake. Although the course only went as far as 10, there were plenty of holes to contend with, and a lot of the fleet remained bunched. Mike/Kayla did break away from that bunch, while Alastair and Nigel/Mike were left behind by it! Unfortunately, insufficient finish times were taken to be able to calculate the results.
After a miserable start, the day ended with sunshine.
The Celebrity Glass Pursuit got underway on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a strong breeze to boot. There was some confusion with the start sequence when a Topper unexpectedly appeared on the start line, but Herb was on the ball and kept everything in order.
Having given the Topper a head start (due to its handicap), it soon retired and Mike/Nigel took the lead in a GP. The conditions led to many capsizes, especially by Joe in his RS300 who was out for his first race of the season. Steve/Ruth held it together and broke through to the lead, though on the final leg as the time limit approached, Scumper was but a gust away from taking the lead.
The second race of the day was part of a long championship series. Steve/Ruth took a clear lead again, winning on handicap from Banter, then Scumper!
In the F15s, Simon/Jon tried, and failed, to start port on port, so they had to tack round again. Mike/Kayla took advantage of this error, and held the lead for the whole race, with Simon 2nd.
Mike/Nigel stayed upright this week and led the GPs taking the winner’s hoot.
Saturday brought some blue skies and warmer sailing weather at last. With it there was a strong breeze, and heavy swell, coming down the lake. From time to time some heavy squalls challenged sailors and led to numerous capsizes.
The Fleet Challenge is a weekend series of six races calculated on a personal handicap basis.
Alan/Sue soon decided that the GP was the wrong boat for the conditions and soon retired. Steve/Ruth led the fleet in the first two races, but suffered a capsize from one of the sharp squalls, and opted to tack round at in the gusts at some of the gybe marks.
Scumper was frustrated at the lack of spinnaker legs in the first race, but suffered various capsizes flying his gennaker in the next race.
Zefer was trying his hand in the RS100 again, but capsizes got the better of him and he retired. Instructors Nigel/Mike suffered a similar fate – perhaps they were practising their capsize technique (not that Herb would have done it that way!).
Ian/Lezli-Ann were lead F15 for a while in the first race, but Mike/Kayla were able to handle the gusts better and break back through offwind. Mike ducked out of the 2nd race, as he had to repair a universal joint on his tiller.
Numbers sailing reduced as the races went on, such that the single handers opted not to race the 3rd race after the tea break leaving the F15s to master the conditions, not that they tried to fly spinnakers as the offwind legs were spectacular enough without them.
Ian/Lezli-Ann finished the day with three well earned 1sts, putting them in a very strong position for the trophy. Mike/Kayla are 2nd, and Steve/Ruth 3rd.
Sunday’s forecast proved to be accurate. With stronger winds and rain, the OD was quick to abandon racing for the day.
Despite a forecast of light winds, the sun shone, and there was a steadyish breeze to get the fleet of 15 boats around the course.
There was a good mix of boats in the handicap fleet. Unusually Scumper was first to the start with a couple of minutes to spare. Steve-Ruth misinterpreted the signals, and were testing the start when they realised what they thought was the 3 min signal was their start! Peter B got there some minutes after the GP start…
Despite his poor start, Steve was soon in the lead, and with the wind easing on the final lap (after he had finished), his lead was strengthened further, winning him the race ahead of Scumper. Steve won the 2nd race also, this time from Tog who had had another good race staying ahead of Scumper.
In the F15s, Ian/Lezli-Ann realised they hadn’t rigged the spinnaker properly, and were late for the start after mooring to a mark to resolve the problem. They did manage to pass Graham/Glynis who were nattering so much at one stage they missed passing through YZ! However, it was Mike/Kayla that won the first race.
In the 2nd race, Simon/Jon were back on form and pulled out a good lead from Ian, with Mike coming 3rd.
A freezing night left ice on the lake on Saturday morning, but the sun shone, so there was no need for any ice breakers before the influx of visitors attending our open day! Many visitors had the opportunity to go for a sail and experience a taste of our sport.
Commodore Andy Smith wanted racing to get underway on time. Although Herb was ready, the Bates wasn’t. No start marks, so had to pick them up only to find they had no flags! With everything ready for the on time start, there were still a few stragglers on the shore…
Steve/Ruth were ready though and they got off to a flying start – had they written the course down correctly though? Well they did go on to win the race, and the Starter’s Prize.
There were several light spots in the wind strength, but it was an easy start for the first race.
With a break for a warming cup of tea, sailors ventured out just before the sun dipped below the skyline, and they were appreciative of their extra layers and warming head gear. The wind eased as the race continued. Steve/Ruth again won the handicap race, with Mike/Kayla winning in the F15s.
Another cold night is in store for the campers, but they won’t have to endure the cold for quite so long as the clocks go forward by one hour tonight – don’t forget otherwise you’ll be an hour late for tomorrow morning’s race!
