A wet and windy forecast but some hardy sailors still turned up, though they were surprised to find any wind at all as Bass seemed to be enjoying its own micro climate compared to nearby villages where there was rain but no wind.

After some umming and arrhhing, three helms decided to sail – Jim Christie, Peter Ballard and Neil Garrison. Then as the wind increased, Neil Garrison changed his mind. While watching the boats get ready the wind quickly eased and Neil opted to sail. Although he was on the water by the 3 minute signal, it took him over ten mins to cross the start line between the race office and zero! The wind eased, and swung, and by the third and final leg back to zero boats were beating. The November series is sailed on a fleet and personal handicap basis, but the distances between each boat meant the results were the same as the finishing order.

After a short lunch break, the terrible trio were eager for more. Again within minutes of launching the weather started to change as the wind started to fill in from the West.

As there was a shore based start, the boats started on a broad reach with a gybe at the first mark, at which point Jim and Peter each capsized! They righted and continued but as they reached the leeward mark the gusty conditions caught all three boats out and they capsized. OD Toggle was all for abandoning racing, but opted to allow the race to be shortened at the end of the first lap – Jim and Peter made it to the finish. Toggle did double check with the rescue boat whether Neil had retired although it was a little obvious by the fact that he was being towed, had taken his main down, and in the process of dropping his jib!

The handicap results matched the finishing order, so Jim leads with two firsts.

The end of the October coincides with the end of the championship season. The weather forecast brought things to an early conclusion due to force nine gales on Saturday. John Crosbie launched his laser, enjoyed some spectacular planes, intermingled with capsizes, but racing was abandoned for the day.

Saturday night marked the end of British Summer Time so the recommendation was to make the most of the extra hour in bed due to the clocks going back, especially as Sunday’s forecast is for MORE for the same!

However, the wind was not as strong as forecast, and sailing did take place, but the gusts were vicious enough to stress boats to the limit.��In the first race, the final round of the Handicap Fleet�s Skiddaw Trophy, both the Supernova of Peter Ballard and the Jim Christie�s Laser suffered rigging damage leaving Scumper to take an easy victory in his Laser.

The afternoon race was the Bassenthwaite Burgee, the final pennant race of the season.��It was supposed to be sailed around the Lake but the race officer wisely decided to restrict it to the marginally more sheltered northern area.��John Crosbie belatedly decided to compete and took the victory from Mike Turner/Sue Watson.��This result won Sue the Sandra�s Salver award as best lady crew in the seven pennant races held during the season by just a single point from Elaine Hunt.

Last weekend saw the final championship weekend series of the season. Gales had been forecast but did not materialise and there was good sailing weather on both days.

On Saturday in the handicap fleet, Robbie D and Big E in their RS400 got off to a good start with one first and one second place. Scumper held second spot overnight in his RS400 before changing to a Laser for the Sunday racing! Alan Nicholson was just one point behind in his Solo after winning the second race.

Sunday�s morning race saw another win for Robbie Dawson with Joan & Jack Hardie second in their RS200 and Scumper third. The wind was gustier for the final race and this suited different competitors. Two helms from Dean took the lead positions with Sam Hall in his Laser leading home the F15 of Tim Chittenden with Ian Macpherson crewing. Winners of the series and the Comet Trophy were Robbie D with Scumper second and Tim Chittenden third.

The GP14 class sailing for the Stables Prize was won by Mike Turner and Sue Watson� from Dave and Lynn Lawson. Although both helms had two wins each and equal points overall the Trophy went to the winners of the last race. An identical situation applied to third place with Kath Davis/Glenys Kett leading home Tim Knowles/Martin Statter.

The Mirror�s Single Handed Trophy went to Mik Chappell. Alan Waugh finished second overall in his pristine boat now fully repaired after scrapes earlier in the season. His win in the final race narrowly secured the place from Nick Orton despite the latter posting two second places during the series.

Sam Hall travelled to West Lancs S C on Saturday for the final event in the North West Junior Travellers Series. Due to the gale force conditions the event was cancelled. However, Sam had already gained enough points to win the Travellers Series.He collected his trophy, for the second year running, plus other prizes.

Saturday’s forecast light westerly breeze came in on cue, together with some afternoon sunshine resulting in� a pleasant afternoon’s sailing. The gusts that came through were patchy and Robbie D and Big E kept being caught up by William and Ruth, but it was the GPs that benefited from the conditions and Val and Ken Bell continued their form from last weekend to take two firsts in the Tinker Trophy (not that there was a Tinker in sight as they, of course, were here last weekend!). The results were close though, as there was just 8 secs separating 5 boats in the first race.

The was supposed to be similar today, but it freshened from time to time. This time Robbie D broke away and won with over one minute lead per lap from Val. Her 2nd place was enough to ensure no-one could beat her overall in the 4th and final race of the series.

The wind was similar for the final race and Robbie D again mastered the conditions to win by a min/lap but this time it was from Scumper in his Laser, with Val 3rd. Overall a good turnout of 22 boats over the course of the weekend series. Hopefully this won’t change and put Val off her dancing this week!!

This weekend we hosted as RS200 alongside a Tinker Travellers open, as well as a fleet challenge for club members.

On Saturday the wind was light, and initially did not come from the forecast SW direction. Drizzle came in unexpectedly, but passed through

The wind did freshen slightly from the forecast direction, but would it hold for the rest of the afternoon? Although it eased for a while, fortunately it did pick up again just before the start of the final race which seemed as it was going to be dire because the rain had started to fall. Val Bell took a clean sweep of all three races before rushing off to a 90th birthday party!

Some early morning mist on Sunday should have been a hint of things to come – no wind! However, it did fill in late morning, then eased, but came back and settled down. However, the sun shone, and it turned out to be an excellent day’s racing.

Julian and Robert Cruickshank had a good start in the 5th race and managed to fend off Val and Ken Bell despite only flying their spinnaker on one leg, but it won’t stop Val taking the trophy.

Val must have burnt Ken out as she sailed the final race in her Solo. Honours in the final race went to Alan Nicholson with Val 2nd

In the RS200s the delayed start due to lack of wind meant there would only be 7 races sailed out of the 8 scheduled. Chris Pickles and Laura Westell from Delph sailed consistently to have a clear win with 6 points (five races to count). Phil and Naomi Smith were top Bass boat finishing 7th overall.

RS200 Open – Overall Results

RS200 winners Chris Pickles and Laura Westell	Tinker winner David Warren (just for a change!)