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.
Saturday started off with clear blue skies, but by the afternoon the clouds had moved in and removed any benefit of the sunshine in the cold NE breeze which filled in just in time for racing.
There being just one asymmetric boat sailed by Neil/Archie, it raced in the MJÂ series, and led the fleet in both races ahead of Dave/Lynn in their GP. Val/Ken launched their GP in time for the second race, and had some good racing with Dave/Lynn, finishing just a few seconds behind.
On handicap, Dave/Lynn won both races to lead the series, with Rory taking two 3rds, lying 2nd overall.
Sunday’s conditions were similar, cold, overcast, and a light F2 from the north. The fleet of five boats stayed relatively close together with less than two minutes between 1st and last. Paul in a Laser led the fleet across the finish line, but on handicap the honours went to Dave L in a Radial. with Mike F in a Streaker 2nd.
After lunch break the wind freshened, Chris in a RS300, despite numerous capsizes, persevered to finish the course. Dave L was 1st across the line, with Toggle in his Solo 2nd, and Mike F 3rd, with corrected times reaffirming the finish order. Dave L leads the series
Saturday greeted sailors with sunshine and patches of wind that filled in from the NNW in time for scheduled afternoon racing, though, after the first lap, the wind came and went, backed to the W before filling back in again from the NNW in cycles. Consequently some boats took 80mins to finish the first race.
The wind faded shortly after the start of the next race which was soon shortened to avoid another drifting finish, much to the relief of many, as well as Shunty who had advised the OD he had a table booked for 7.30!
There was close racing at times, and mixed fortunes, with various positions being swapped. AJ/Sue were on the better side of the mixed fortunes, taking two wins in the GPs from James/Jenny. Andrew Reekie secured two wins in the Teras from Rory Davenport.
Sunday was more overcast, with a forecast of a lighter wind. Again the wind swung, and varied in strength. There was a brief period at the end of the first lap when the fleet bunched up as the wind dropped, but it filled in again to continue the race for another lap. Phil/Rory in a RS200 led the fleet across the finish line, but on handicap John Reekie in a Solo won, with Dave Lawson in a Laser Radial 2nd.
The next race was the Albert Bates Retirement Trophy; although the wind was light on the first beat, it freshended for the rest of the race. Banter/Rory were on top form, pulling out a strong lead from Neil/Archie in a RS200, then Mike/Sally in a F15. On handicap Banter won, with Neil/Archie and Dave Lawson tying for 2nd place.
The arrival of storm Kathleen has caused some spectacular spindrift across many parts of the lake.
The OD soon raised AP over A postponing racing for the day, but with the storm potentailly intensifying, and no positive interest from anyone wishing to sail, the decision has been made to postpone Sunday’s racing as well.
The winds are testing how well boats are tied down, and some members have been checking/retying some that are moving, but it may be worth a visit to the club to make sure your property is safe and secure.
The first camping weekend of the season benefitted from drier and sunnier weather than expected in the recent longer term forecast. The wind generally came in from the south, though it occasionally veered to the SW as it swung around Sale fell, creating a shadow on the course area, and easing the wind.
There were 32 boats on the water, and it was some consistent sailing by Dave/Lynn in their GP that won them the Celebrity Glass trophy with 3 points, ahead of Matt/Oliver in a RS200, and Rob in his Phantom.
Grace hosted a quiz on Saturday evening in aid of her World Challenge trip
Despite a mirror like lake at 9am on Sunday, the wind quickly filled in from the SE again to create some exciting racing conditions. The rain stayed away, and there was plenty of sunshine, but the temperature remained cold.
There were many powerful reaches which resulted in various boats practicing their capsizing skills, emphasising the need for good drysuits! As ever, the wind veered to the ESE, and eased for a while giving some relief to the sailors, but overall the conditions were testing for those just starting their racing season.
Monday’s forecast wasn’t very palitable, with predicted winds of force 4 gusting 6, no sun, and the risk of rain, so many campers opted to pack up and return home early. However, the wind didn’t generally rise above force 3, and the weather fortunately stayed dry, though, with no sun, it was bitterly cold!
In the F15s, there was some close racing between new members Dave/Jackie Gebhard and Pete Kassell, with Dave winning both races and the Easterly Trophy overall.
Dave Lawson in a Laser had more consistent racing to win the handicap Easter Trophy with Steve/Ruth in their Enterprise 2nd, and Rob Cook in a Phantom 3rd. Due to the weather conditions, Pix/Matt joined forces in a B14, but a capsize scuppered their chances, so they went for a play.
Phil/Oliver Smith had three straight wins in their Mirror, winning the MT Image Trophy, with Alex/Phoebe Leonard 2nd, and Andy/Isabelle Tunicliffe 3rd
The sailing season officially started with a two race series for the Starter’s Prize. The sun was shining, the wind had eased, and the temperature had increased several degrees from Saturday’s bone chilling weather.
Neil/Archie were a little too eager for the start and were recalled, but it had little detriment to their overall position. The wind varied in strength between F2-F1, as well as direction throughout the races, but overall the conditions were suitable for easing the 14 boats back into the racing season.
Phil/Lucy won the first race in their Mirror, with John/Jack in a GP 2nd, and Naomi in a Mirror 3rd.
The wind eased on the 2nd lap of the 2nd race, dropping the Mirrors down to 5th and 7th respectively. Neil/Archie took the honours, with Rory in a Solo 2nd, and Ellie in an Aero 3rd.
Phil/Lucy won overall, a point ahead of Rory and Ellie whose positions were determined on tie break as 2nd and 3rd respectively.
On Saturday evening the annual bonfire celebrations were held together with a great display of fireworks.
Sunday started with several eager sailors but mirror like conditions on the lake. With the wind typically filling in by 1130hrs it wasn’t looking promising that there would be any racing, but just five minutes later a light breeze appeared from the forecast WSW direction. There was a half hour delay to have an early lunch after which there was a lovely breeze across the full bay.
The wind eased slightly after the first race, but held to get the 2nd race of the Winter Series in. No major position changes throughout either race which were both led by Neil/Archie in their RS200, followed by Tim/Barbara in a F15, then Neil in his Laser.
While Banter was OD, Oscar tried his hand in a Laser Radial for the first time, and did well to keep between the Solos in the first race despite his toestraps coming adrift.
The end of October brings the Autumn Saturday and Sunday series to an end, as well as the end of British Summer Time resulting in the clocks going back an hour on Saturday night.
Unusually there was a SE breeze on Saturday that had a chill to it, but sufficient to have sailors sitting out. Fortunately there was only a couple of capsizes during which the helms would have appreciated the benefits of wearing drysuits! Hannah and Zara again followed the morning training session by taking part in the first race in Teras, though that proved enough for one day, mainly due to the lower air temperature.
AJ/Sue seemed to be sporting a new bridle – did it make the difference to pull through from behind to beat James/Jenny in both races? On the water, Neil/Archie in their RS200 led both races, but they were unable to significantly pull away from Alex in his Laser in the second race.
On handicap, AJ/Sue took two wins and the series trophy, with James/Jenny 2nd and Alex 3rd.
Despite a wet forecast, Sunday remained dry for the final two races in the Auumn Sunday series. The wind was from the SSE, and had a damp bite to it. There were occasional opportunities for planing, but no capsizes, though by the end of the final race the wind was easing.
With a mix of classes in the fleet of seven boats there was very few place changes. On handicap, in the first race it was Neil G in a Laser that took the honours, followed by Neil/Archie in their RS200 and Mike/Jack in a Graduate. Neil/Archie won the final race and the series, with Mike/Jack 2nd, and AJ/Sue 3rd overall.
The arrival of storm Kathleen has caused some spectacular spindrift across many parts of the lake.