Surprisingly (or perhaps not too surprising for our micro climate) the winds, and gusts were not as strong as the forecast and so another two races were sailed in the Asymmetric Cup and MJM Trophy.

Before the first race Neil Garrison demonstrated a taste of things to come by capsizing his Dart, and after another capsize halfway through the first lap Neil retired. Mike/Kayla revelled in the heavier winds leading the rest of the fleet with Ian/Lezli-Ann trying their best to give chase, while Tim/Ian tried their best to stay upright (they almost succeeded!). All other finishers were slowed by various capsizes in the blustery conditions, but recognition again goes to Ethan Dawson for opting to sail, and finishing, a second lap after suffering several capsizes.

In the afternoon race, gusts were not so vicious quite so often, but there were still various capsizes. Ian got a brilliant starboard end start, but Mike took the lead by the end of the first beat. At the other end of the spectrum, Jim Christie had the worst start, getting into irons but staying upright helped him work his way back through the fleet finishing 4th on handicap behind the F15s. Peter Ballard got his mast in the mud for a while and finally managed to limp across the finish line due to a problem with his mainsheet.

There was just Scumper and Toggle in the Asymmetric Cup, and each had their fair share of capsizes, but Scumper mastered the conditions and took another two wins strengthening his lead in the series.

As for the heading yawwwn – I’m sure they’ll all sleep well after a hard day’s racing!

A drizzly, damp day with light winds were the order of the day for the first couple of races in the October Series which is for all classes and sailed on a personal and fleet handicap basis.

Mik Chappell got clean off the start line in the first race and sailed well to finish 3rd on fleet handicap. Although Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson were first to the windward mark, Ethan/Robin Dawson took the best line down to the next mark, took the lead, and there was no way Ethan was going to let go of it. He went on to win the race on fleet and personal handicap! Ian stayed on Ethan’s tail, and despite opening old wounds by hitting his head on the spinnaker pole in the same place s last week, finished 2nd on fleet handicap.

In the next race, the drizzle eased and the wind freshened a little. This time Ethan was to-ing and fro-ing with John/Janis Halliday, though on handicap Ethan again won both races. The F15s had numerous place changes also, with Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson taking 2nd on fleet handicap from Ian Campbell.

While the rest of the country basked in what turned out to be the hottest October day, Bassenthwaite was less fortunate – it was warm and muggy but more overcast and not a lot of wind.

Numerous sailors took advantage of some RYA coaching being held over the weekend, all being filmed and replayed at the end of the day. On Saturday Steve Hunt arrived early to figure out how to set up his new Merlin Rocket, and plenty of people took the time to watch him – especially as there was little wind which disappeared totally resulting in racing being abandoned for the day.

Sunday was damp and miserable, but a good sailing breeze and attracted a fleet of 17 boats for the three remaining races of the weekend fleet challenge series.

In the first race, Bean/Naomi in RS200 led the fleet taking 1st place. Steve/Ruth in new Merlin were 2nd on the water, but beaten by Mike/Kayla in F15. Steve/Ruth led the next two races, winning them both, as well as the series trophy. In race 2 Tom Gosden in a Laser kept to Mike/Kayla’s tail beating them on handicap. While in race 3, occasional sailor Stuart Brookes had a good tussle with Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson, both in F15s, beating Ian by just 10 secs to take 2nd place. Mike/Kayla’s finished 2nd overall with 5pts, and Tom Gosden 3rd with 6pts.

Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, Stuart Brookes took three firsts and the trophy, while Alistair Duncan, fresh from the RYA coaching, sailed a Laser, had a 2nd and 3rd, finished 2nd overall.  Mike/Kayla had 10 points to count, as did Steve/Ruth, but their 3rd position split the tie in their favour.

Fleets are racing in a championship weekend series.

A reasonable breeze greeted boats on Saturday, and there was some close racing. In the F15s, Simon Longstaff/Jon Denwood pipped Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson at the post in the first race. Neil Platt, who lost his spinnaker halyard while renewing it, missed the first race but was ready for the next race which he won from Simon Longstaff.

In the GPs, Val/Ken Bell had two straight wins ahead of Kath Davis/Glenys Kett.

Mike Cowan and Jim Christie had some close racing and each ended up with a 1st and 2nd. Peter Ballard had two 3rds.

In the Mirrors, John Telford had two wins, but Mik Chappell and Alan Waugh each shared a 2nd and a 3rd. With no Mirrors out on Sunday, John wins with Alan 2nd.

Sunday racing was rather casual despite the ODs best efforts to get started on time. The light wind, and no wind on shore were somewhat contributory!

After a wet week, and with high winds imminent for the weekend, this week’s Night Jar was perhaps the calm before the storm as the airs were relatively light and racing was brought to a relatively early conclusion after only 30 mins sailing. It was Joan/Jack Hardie in their RS200 that took the honours on fleet handicap, with Alan Jones/Sue Watson in a GP coming in a strong 2nd ahead of Neil Garrison in his Laser. Joan/Jack lead the FH series.

Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, swapped the lead two boats and gave Alan the lead in the PH series.

A wet and windy forecast for Saturday could have been the reason for a quiet turnout this weekend, and although there was been a persistent drizzle, the forecast wind/gusts were by no means a threat.

In the first race an eager Mike/Kayla were so close to the line that when called back by Tim/Ian they did! In the second race, Mike got his own back when Tim tried to sneak into a gap at the start mark which wasn’t there, and Mike was not going to create! Tim had to go back the correct side of the mark and Mike took an early lead not to be given up.

In the handicap fleet, Steve/Ruth led the fleet, and took two wins on handicap from Joan/Jack Hardie. Tom Gosden came 3rd in the first race but was beaten by Mik who came out for the second.

Sunday’s weather is totally different. What a difference sunshine makes! Lightish winds, with inevitable shifts were the order of the day.

With Saturday’s winner Steve Hunt crewless, he stood in as OD, but Joan/Jack still weren’t quite able to add another win to their scorecard, as Mik Chappell pipped them to the post, and Tom Gosden had to settle for another 3rd place. However, Joan’s 2nd was enough to give her the overall lead in the series.

The F15s had the same result as Saturday, with Mike/Kayla beating Tim/Ian – Mike leads the series.

In the GPs, Hugh Godfrey/Rachel Newstead beat Alan Jones/Sue Watson, putting Hugh 2nd in the series.

The afternoon race was the Banana Stakes pennant which took the fleet around the lake. It was to be a slow race as the wind died and even lead boat Mike/Kayla took nearly 100mins to complete the course. Hugh and Alan were only 7 secs apart after 108 mins racing! On personal handicap Alan won giving Sue another win towards Sandra’s Salver, but Kayla’s 2nd place was enough to keep her in the lead for the trophy.

With Summer officially over, the darker nights are drawing in, but there was still a fleet of 12 boats taking part in this weeks evening Night Jar. From the results, it seems as if the wind faded early, with Alan Waugh being finished early after about 30 mins. Next over the line was John Crosbie in his Laser followed a few secs later by Eric Guillois in his F15.

On fleet handicap, John won with Robert Cruickshank in a GP 2nd and Paul Clark 3rd giving Robert the lead in the series.

On personal handicap basis, Paul won, with Robert 2nd and Alan Jones/Sue Watson in a GP 3rd giving Alan the lead in the series by a point from Robert.

Saturday’s sun was hidden behind the clouds, but the wind continued to blow, although more from the SSW so Sale Fell had its frustrating effect on various legs of the course.

In the handicap fleet, another general recall was to test Herb’s resolve. Steve/Ruth made good use of the spinnaker legs and pulled out a lead sufficient to beat Ethan/Robin by over 30 secs, with Scumper 3rd. Fresh back to sailing after their wedding, Phil and Emma Davenport lost no love on the water, as Phil was all out to win and beat Emma on handicap. After lunch, a heavy rain shower cleared, the sun came out and the wind freshened – was that the excuse Phil needed to let Emma get even, as he promptly capsized, and Toggle followed shortly after. That wouldn’t be Phil’s last capsize as he was caught out on the final run before the finish, got stuck in the mud and promptly started to swim the boat round into the wind. After a little help from the rescue team, he got back in the boat and sailed through to get a finish, though Emma had passed him without a second thought (though she was probably just relieved to be finishing). The stronger winds suited Scumper who finished 1st on handicap, with Steve 2nd. However, with three wins, Steve took the series trophy.

In the F15s, Simon was hassled by Mike on the start line, but broke away and won. Simon clearly opted to get his own back in the afternoon, and there was more banter (or is that being polite?) even before the start, with a couple of collisions, protest flags were raised, and turns were done before they eventually crossed the startline with Simon in Mike’s shadow. Simon later took the lead and won the race and the series.

In the GPs Mike/Eric led the fleet, but could not shake off Val/Ken who gave them a good race. With two 1sts and a 2nd Mike was in a strong position going into the last race, and although he took an early lead he slipped back lap by lap. Hugh/Rachael sailed well and won the race with Val 2nd. This was enough to secure the series for Mike.

Sunny Saturday

Sunshine and a good southerly breeze greeted sailors for the final weekend series of the season.

The first race took the fleet half way down the lake to 10 before reaching back to the club house. On the run back down, Steve/Ruth in their Merlin were close on Neil/Judith’s tail in their RS400, and they went on to win the race on handicap. Ethan was again helming the RS200 with dad Robin helming, and he finished 3rd overall.

The handicap fleet were too keen for the start in the second race causing a general recall. Steve again showed Neil a clean pair of heels, and despite trawling the spinnaker for a short while, took another 1st and overnight lead.

Mike/Kayla held off Simon/Jon in the F15s in the first race, but the tables were turned in the second race after Simon opted to cover Mike even before the race started.

In the GPs, Val/Ken sailed well taking the first race from Mike/Eric. The second race was being led by Hugh/Rachael, but a tight spinnaker reach caused a few problems as they tried to take it down, enabling Mike and Val to break through. Hugh did get back through to 2nd but slipped to 3rd by the finish. Mike and Val each have a 1st and 2nd overnight.

The Mirrors only sailed the first race. Mik’s tactic of increasing his mast rake worked a treat and he had a big lead on Alan Waugh by the time they reached 10, and Mik held the lead through to the finish.