Following Saturday’s open meeting, racing was back to normal on Sunday, with the final race in two long series. Weather was milder, and a few more sunny spells, though the W breeze started off slightly lighter than Saturday. After lunch the breeze freshened to create some better planing conditions.
No two boats in the handicap fleet were in the same class so it was difficult for sailors to gauge their performance. The only boat to capsize was a 29er helmed by James with dad John crewing. Robbie D/Toggle joined forces again in their F15, built up a good lead and won both races, with Rory in his Solo getting two 2nds. Paul in a ILCA 6, took the morning 3rd, while Mike/Jack in the Graduate were 3rd in the afternoon.
In the GPs, Val/Ken took an early lead in both races, but finished 2nd to Dave/Lynn. AJ/Sue were keen to continue their winning ways, but being over the line in the afternoon race didn’t help their cause!
Overall series results had Rory winning the Barf Trophy, with Phil/Rory 2nd, and Neil/Archie winning the Dodd Trophy, and Phil/Rory runners up.
AJ/Sue won the Spring Cup, with Val/Ken 2nd, while Dave/Lynn won the Mustard Pot, with Val/Ken 2nd.
Andrew won the MT Red Sail Trophy, while Alex/Saskia won the MT AB Trophy
Several club members took part in the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater over the weekend with over 200 entrants.
Congratulations to club members Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman in a RS400 (3rd), Paul/Grace Allen in a 59er (7th), and Dave Exley/Joe Roberts in a RS400 (8th) on their outstanding performances, all fimnishing in the top 10!
On Saturday there was a Laser one day, three race open. The WNW force 3 backed through the afternoon to WSW as it increased to force 4.
Visitor Tim Keighly from West Riding mastered the conditions winning all three races and the trophy. Despite the increasing winds, and hard work on the beats which resulted in a couple of capsizes, there was little opportunity for planing.
Local helm Dave Lawson finished 2nd overall with Andrew Hewett from St Mary’s Loch 3rd. Local youth category helm Archie Campbell and Cameron Somerville finished a creditable 4th and 5th respectively.
Tim Keighley receiving Trophy from Sailing Secretary John Reekie
Saturday sailing was another couple of races towards the MJM trophy for all classes. Perhaps it was the overcast, cold weather that put sailors off, or was it just other sailing events that kept them away?
The F2-3 held all afternoon, and though the wind was shifting, some boats were banging the corners on the beat which resulted in a few position changes. Neil and son Archie were competing against each other in Laser Radials, perhaps more competition than Neil was expecting, as Archie beat him in the 2nd race! Mike/Jack in their Graduate, broke through to lead both races on the water, finishing 2nd and 3rd on handicap. Seemingly plenty of bickering between AJ and Sue as they passed the committee boat each lap, but it must have worked as they beat James/Jenny in both races, taking a 1st and 2nd on handicap.
Sunday was slightly milder, with less wind, but threatening rain showers from time to time.
Toggle was out in his Solo, soon took the lead and went on to win the race on handicap from Neil, then Archie, both in Laser Radials again. Dave/Lynn won the GPs, ahead of Val/Ken (who lead the series) and AJ/Sue.
The race after lunch was the Jimmy Lancaster Memorial trophy pennant, but the sailors were saved from having the typical round the lake course. This proved to be quite fortuitous as the wind eased soon after the start, and it seemed unrealistic to send them around for a second lap and the OD be home in time for the football! Shortly before Dave/Lynn crossed the finish line in 1st place, the wind started to fill in from the SW, not only speeding up the finishing sequence but causing a few tensions as different boats caught the wind and gained several places. Rounding the final leeward mark it was all to play for as five boats were less than three boats apart, and all searching for wind. Richard in his Solo aimed straight for the line, and it worked as he finished 2nd overall, with Toggle 3rd.
Next Saturday we will be hosting the Laser Lakeland and Border Grand Prix and RS Tera open meeting. 1st race scheduled for 12 Noon. Enter on Webcollect
With the official start of summer, we could expect warmer weather, but it was not to be. After a sunny morning, the clouds moved in and the temperature dropped, but the westerly breeze held, then freshened towards the end of the afternoon.
The handicap fleet of 15 boats included a couple of GPs and a F15. The wind was strong enough for crews to sit out, but there were no capsizes. The occasional shifts enabled some position changes.
Dave/Lynn in their GP won both races on handicap, with Ian/Lezliann in a F15 and Phil/Rory in RS200 each having a 2nd and a 3rd.
Sunday brought wall to wall sunshine, with a similar WSW F2-3 throughout the day. As ever, there were some large swings in the wind direction, and occasional planing conditions. Andrew/Oscar in a 29er coped with several capsizes, but one was enough for Archie/Lily in a RS200, mainly because their boom had come adrift. Every day is a school day…
Dave/Lynn continued to master the conditions, winning all three races, and the Isel Cup overall. Phil/Rory secured a couple of 2nds, finishing 2nd overall, with Ian/Lezliann 3rd, on equal points with Alex/John in a RS400.
The overnight rain returned for the afternoon racing. The light and variable winds resulted in a short postponement while the OD tried to determine the likely direction, as it wasn�t the same as the forecast, and swung through almost 90 degrees within minutes!
The 60 boats were split into three starts, and got away cleanly, though the beat soon moved to the second leg as the wind backed. Club sailors Matthew Somerville and Henry Bullen in RS200 won on handicap 15 secs ahead of Clayton Parker in a Lightning, with Oscar Manning and George Jacob�s equal third.
The course was reset for the next race, but the wind eased soon after the start such that the medium and slow handicap fleets had their course shortened at the end of the first lap. Unfortunately the wind continued to ease and various boats were caught out by the 30 minute time limit. Aleks Svietek in his Tera Sport won 14 secs ahead of Oscar Davenport in a Tera Pro, with Will Taylor 3rd.
The fleets went ashore for a break, and to warm up, and waited to see if the new southerly wind would settle.
Despite the continued rain flattening the water, the OD went out to check the wind which looked promising, and then asked the fleets to launch again. While setting the course, the wind faded yet again so racing was postponed for the day.
Matthew and Henry are overnight leaders with Oscar Manning 2nd
Sunday�s forecast was much more promising, and it delivered. It stayed dry, with spells of sunshine, the WSW wind direction was fairly consistent, and there was enough wind for planing conditions, as well as numerous capsizes to keep the rescue crews busy.
Three races were held back to back, and all starts were clear (Quite a feat for an open meeting!) Matthew and Henry from Bassenthwaite maintained their overnight lead to win overall, with Ava Harris Scott from Elton 2nd, and Henry Blades from Scaling Dam 3rd
Well meteorlogical started today, with lots of sunshine, but the wind was not the OD’s best friend. It was slow to fill in, when it did, it shifted wildly, faded, and came back in from another direction, then continued to back to the west throughout the afternoon racing.
Banter/Rory in their RS200 managed to break away from the rest of the fleet before the wind died early in the first race, so the race was very brief as there was a concern that the remaining boats could take an eternity to finish. In the handicap fleet, Banter won with the Solos of Stan and Hugh finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Oscar in his Tera won the slow handicap race, from Hannah/Zara in a Feva.
The next race looked promising, only for the wind to fade briefly at the start, then fill in, and swing so that there were no beats on the course! Not the conditions to do turns as Stan and Banter found to their cost. Rory won in his Solo, with Mike/Jack in a Graduate 2nd, and Hugh 3rd.
In the GPs, Val/Ken and James/Jenny each had a 1st and a 2nd.
Sunday’s wind was just as challenging for the OD. The course was set to have two beats in slightly different directions, but the wind didn’t always play ball! Towards the end of the morning race the wind strengthened.
The wind held for the afternoon pursuit race held in the main bay, so there was much more sitting out required, with the occasional ducking (well for Chris in his 300 at least!)
Sunshine and a SE breeze tempted a fleet of 45 boats on to the water to compete for the Mark Ninnim memorial trophy.
Taking advantage of the wind direction a course was set to mark 7 at Scarness, so it was slightly worrying when the F2 eased shortly after the first start, but it returned, then faded again during the finishing sequence. On corrected time, Caroline/Dave Exley in a RS400 took the first win just 11 secs ahead of Dave/Lynn Lawson in their GP.
The next race had a shorter main beat to 8, and started in light airs, but filled in within a few minutes. On handicap Dave/Lynn beat Chris/Evie Pickles in a RS200 by 8 secs, winning the trophy, with Matt/Oliver Sharman in Laser 2000 2nd overall having secured two 3rds.
The weekend series being held over Sunday and Monday will have a separate series for asymmetric boats using windward/leeward course .
On Sunday the weather was very similar to Saturday but with drizzle instead of any sunshine!
The wind dropped over the lunch break, and the forecast wasn’t looking promising for it to return, but it did (fortunately!). Despite there not being a lot of wind Caroline had the opportunity to practice righting her capsized boat!
At the end of the race there was a 120 degree shift to the west so the start line was relocated for a short, manageable, windward/leeward course for the third and final race of the day. As the wind did drop yet again, the short course proved to be a sensible option!
Monday was overcast but generally dry with a SW F3-4, the best wind of the weekend. The wind was as shifty as ever, and eased slightly towards the end of the morning race, but there were numerous opportunities for planing, and several boats capsized throughout the course of the day.
In the F15s, Andy Tunicliffe/Ian Hopwood won both races, with Robin Dawson/Mike Cowan runners up, but their results overall earned them the Scarness Cup, with Ian Campbell/Lezliann Pearson/Ian Preston 2nd overall.
The GPs did not race, so Val/Ken Bell won the Graham Cup, with AJ/Sue Watson 2nd.
Matt/Oliver Sharman and Mark Somerville/Neil Campbell each won a race in the asymmetric fleet, but it was Chris/Evie Pickles that won overall with three wins from Sunday, Matt/Oliver were 2nd.
Dave/Lynn Lawson sailed in the non asymmetric handicap fleet, and won the Wythop series with four wins. Guy Wheeler/Elaine Ross were on equal points with Andy Smith, but beat him on tie break.
Four wins for Phil/Lucy Smith won them the Reflection trophy, with Alex/Saskia Leonard 2nd.
A sunny Saturday greeted over 40 boats across the two fleets in the GP14 Northern championship and Solo open meeting. Unusually the wind was from the NE, and, with a better strength than forecast, the OD aimed to get four races in ahead of Sunday’s light forecast.
The GP fleet were first to start, but too early, so there was a general recall. The immediate introduction of the black flag for all subsequent starts worked well to temper their eagerness.
As often typical at Bassenthwaite, the wind swung, and varied in strength throughout the afternoon, and the cause of some mixed fortunes.
After two races, the wind veered to the E/SE, faded, then filled back in again from the NE. The race was started, but the windswung again removing the beat, and, with the second beat was not looking promising, the race was abandoned. The OD waited for more than half an hour, but the wind did not settle, so racing was postponed until Sunday morning.
Sunday had lots more sun but the wind shied away until noon when there was some unexpected flurries from the forecast direction. By 1230 there was sufficient for the OD to venture onto the water to determine if racing should resume, which it did just under three hours after the scheduled start time.
Generally, the wind held throughout the afternoon, but it proved to be very shifty again, and there was some head scratching by the OD trying to determine where the beat was likely to settle for what was to be the fourth and final race of the weekend.
As with Saturday, the wind shifts resulted in a game of snakes and ladders for some, though Thomas Gillard and Shandy from Sheffield Viking succeeded in getting to the top of the ladder in all four races and had a clean sweep of the GP silverware, to become the winners of the Northern championship.
The Solo open was not as clear cut, with the result being determined on the final race between three helms. Innes Armstrong from Burwain took the honours, with John Reekie from Bassenthwaite 2nd.
Weekend sailors enjoyed the best conditions of the season so far, with warm, sunny weather, and light-medium southerly winds.
Not exactly capsizing conditions, though John Reekie seemed to upturned several times. There was sufficient wind for Neil to suffer from aching muscles on Sunday as he got used to sailing a Laser while Archie waits for his hand to recover�
AJ/Sue had some close racing with Val/Ken with a fair share of wins between them.
The Sunday afternoon pennant race in aid of the Jubilee Sailing Trust raised interest as to whether the course would be around the lake. With the wind having been lighter than forecast for the morning race, the OD opted to use 10 as the windward mark, however, the wind had freshened and bedded in. Before the fleet had reached 7, several sailors decided discretion was the better part of valour, and headed ashore. Toggle was one of them planning to retire but capsized beforehand!
Those that continued had a hard slog up to the windward mark but enjoyed some good planing conditions on the route down to mark 2. Reekie continued his capsize routines, and had Phil/Oscar in a RS400 chasing hard. It�s a shame they both went around the next leeward mark the wrong way�
Neil Campbell almost made the same error on the final mark but recovered to beat Val/Ken on the line, and win the race on handicap.
The bank holiday weekend was busy on and off the water, with the club hosting an open meeting for Catapults, and the Mirror Northerns alongside club racing. Though the forecast was for relatively light winds, it freshened to F3-4 in time for afternoon racing, and, as usual, oscillating in direction, generally from the SW.
The total of 50 boats across three fleets was a magnificant sight. All starts for the day were clear, and there was some close racing, with various position changes for those that took advantage of, or missed, the swinging shifts. Several legs offered great planing conditions, and there were a few capsizes, and a couple of gear failures.
Paul/Jude Allen were trialling a Melges 15, securing a 1st and 2nd on handicap to win the Paul Carruthers Memorial Trophy, with Dave Lawson/Mike Fairlamb in a GP 2nd, and Val/Ken Bell in a GP 3rd.
Will/Isabelle Crocker from Welton SC had a 1st and 2nd to take overnight lead in the Mirror Northerns, ahead of Angus/Isla Armstrong from West Kirkby, and Phil/Lucy Smith from Bassenthwaite.
Sunday morning was dry after a wet night for the campers. The wind was light but started to fill in from the forecast SW direction, however, when the OD was setting the line/course the wind direction was coming from all directions! It did settle down from the SW again, so a line was set and racing started only for the wind to back to the S as a dark cloud moved in. Just before the Mirror start the races were abandoned until the wind had settled again. Next start got underway, but the first beat was light for a short while.
After lunch the wind had veered more to the W, then later through the race backed to the WSW which cast a shadow over part of the beat, slowing the final lap for some boats which took up to 80 minutes to finish.
The wind came back, and the last race held, though many boats had opted to call it a day.
In the F15s, Ian/Lezliann took three wins, though Angus Corry/Mike Hunter had led one race for a while only to miss out the gate after the first lap. Ian/Lezliann are overnight leaders with Cliff English 2nd.
Val/Ken won the first GP race, but AJ/Sue won the next two to take the overnight lead.
In the handicap fleet, Robin sailed Tog’s Solo winning the first two races to take overnight lead, with Guy/Elaine in a Graduate securing two 2nds, to lie 2nd.
The Mirror results counted for the club championship as well as the Northerns, so Phil/Lucy lead with three wins ahead of Naomi/Scarlet.
In the Mirror Northerns, after five races, Phil/Lucy Smith lead ahead of Matthew/Albie McGovern, and Angus/Isla Armstrong.
Monday started with a mirror like lake, but zephyrs appeared just after noon, and most of the bay was soon filled with a light breeze, so the OD took to the water, and racing was underway just after 1pm. By the time the Mirrors were nearing the leeward mark at the end of the first lap the F1-2 breeze had eased. With more wind filling in at the top of the next beat, the race continued, but it didn’t last for long so the race was shortened at the top of the beat.
Ian/Lezliann took another win and won the Jak Pot trophy for F15s. The GPs did not race, so AJ/Sue kept their lead position and won the Lyne Tankard. Chris/Evie in their RS200 won on handicap, with Phil/Rory 2nd, but a 4th for Robin was sufficient to win the May Holiday trophy, with Chris/Evie 2nd, and Dave/Lynn 3rd. Phil/Lucy had another win in the Mirrors/Teras and won the Peel Pot.
In the Mirror Northerns, Phil/Lucy Smith had led to the leeward mark, but was passsed by Will/Isobelle Crocker. Matthew/Albie McGovern opted for the left side of the final beat, and took advantage of the zephyr that filled in as the wind backed more to the west, being sufficient to take them through to the lead and win the championship, with Phil/Lucy 2nd.
Northern Championship winners Matthew & Albie McGovern
Only Junior team Rueben Allen & Oliver Smith
Youngest crew Phoebe Leonard
All the Junior sailors
In the Catapults, positions were very consistent, with Gareth Ede taking two 1sts, George Evans two 2nds, and Stuart Ede two 3rds. Sunday’s results were much more varied, but Gareth maintained his overall lead ahead of Stuart moving forward to 2nd, then George. With a lack of promise for a decent breeze on Monday, the Catapults opted to call it a day with no further racing, so the Sunday evening results stood.
