The forecast for the day implied that sailing might have been over for the season before any happy sailors turned up, but surprisingly the conditions were quite enticing – sunshine and a decent WNW breeze.

Seven boats made it to the start line for the final race of the season which turned out to have a good mix of reaches to blow the cobwebs away. The sun was swept away later by some black clouds that brought in more wind and dumped a little rain on the sailors.

William and Elaine broke away and made good use of various gusts to get sufficient lead to win on handicap. Jim Christie sailed well again, but as the wind picked up for the final 10 mins of the race there were several calamities of which Jim had one – unable to to run to the final leeward mark he reached and gybed several times but was caught out on the final gybe and capsized, but was soon upright and finished 2nd on handicap. Alan Nicholson had been the first to capsize at a gybe mark and was helped up only to turn turtle later in the squall that was passing through. Neil Garrison sailing his wayfarer single handed was caught out just after finishing, and capsized. He was helped ashore with a tow from the rescue crews. There was some uncertainty as to the adequacy of his boat’s buoyancy – at least he has all the close season to get it sorted! Jo Watkins was another to capsize in the squall but finished safely. Mike Turner and Sue Watson finished but then took their sails down to avoid ending their season with a capsize

Alan Waugh sailed well to finish third on handicap.

Apart from the final 10 mins or so, there had been some good sailing for the final race, and all were pleased to have made the effort. There was a close finish to the series, with William and Jim on equal points, but William’s couple of firsts split the tie in his favour, and he won the Winter Trophy presented by his parents many years ago.

The morning started off wonderfully clear, with no wind. Not very good for sailing! However, some clouds moved in together with a light north westerly breeze. Perhaps it would settle down for a good days sailing?

The wind did fill in, albeit in fits and starts, but it let to both bunching, and separation, of the fleet …. Neil Garrison sailing a wayfarer single handed (hence disqualified) sailed a good first beat and was second to William and Elaine at the windward mark, with Nigel and John in a GP, and Alan Nicholson in his solo closely on their tail. The wind allowed the fleet to bunch, but it was not until the end of the second beat that William broke away as the land shadow swallowed 0. A case of too little too late as William was to finish 8th on personal handicap, with pole position going to Alan with Nigel 2nd. As ever, the wind picked up at the end of the race, and eased by the start of the afternoon race.

Nigel again sailed well and was first to the windward mark with William just behind. The next leg was challenging as the fleet had to sail directly into the low afternoon sun and it was almost impossible to see the mark! William did succeed in breaking away this time when the wind faded for the rest of the fleet, but having to sail one lap extra, in still airs materially affected his position by adding an extra 25% to his average lap time (and I want redress!).  Nigel continued to sail well and beat Jim Christie in his laser by 10 secs, and Tim Chittenden with Ian Macpherson in a F15 by 1½ mins

Have the storms passed through – uncertain. The forecast is not quite as breezy as was being forecast yesterday, but the conditions still seem challenging!

Perhaps the rescue crews had a whiff of the forecast, as they’d either slept in or been partying well last night! However, several boats were prepared and the helms and crews got ready whilst waiting for the rescue team to arrive, and racing got under way by Noon. Jim Christie was the first to capsize in his laser, or was he just having a rest? Then Alan Nicholson went swimming, but that was enough for him to call it a day and retire gracefully (before the race got under way).

Conditions were frustrating, there were blustery gusts and downdraughts as the wind wrapped itself around Sale Fell. Although William and Elaine got away in the early gusts, the holes seemed to follow them around and Ian Macpherson with Mike Fairlamb, in Tim’s F15 proved difficult to shake off. Jim Christie was doing well after the start, and held off Ian Macpherson for a while. Lewis Tyson and Jo Watkins sailed around together, but Jo had a capsize which focussed the OD’s mind on shortening the race. On the final fetch to the finish, William was headed off from the lay line and only just finished ahead of Ian who had been able to lay the mark directly.

Over the lunch break the wind picked up and the white horses were very visible even when looking down the wind, so the OD cancelled racing for the rest of the day

As a prelude to the bonfire night celebrations, the first prize giving for the youth squad was held this evening

Vice Commodore Dave Nicholson gave a short speech outlining the (short) history of the squad, and prizes were given out by his wife Pauline. There was one consistent and outstanding winner for the season, Jo Watkins who won the Kirkpatrick Prize (Youth Championship winner), Watson Shield (Saturday Series), Rhonwen Bryce Youth Cup (Sunday Series), Night Jar A Youth Tankard, and Night Jar B Youth Tankard (Thursday evening series)

The Lucca Trophy an endeavour trophy for the young person that was always down here practising and racing went to Ethan Dawson

Unfortunately the rain came in after the prize giving so lighting the bonfire, and the fireworks, proved challenging

What a glorious day for a sail. The wind didn’t always rise to the occasion but when it did some boats were able to plane for a short while. Mike Moore suggested there were elements of skill and elements of luck – of course, his position only benefited through skill!

It was Lewis Tyson that took the honours on a personal handicap basis in the first race, from Jim Christie making a return to the lake but in a laser this time! In the afternoon, William and Elaine broke away (eventually – perhaps that was just the luck element kicking in for a change?!) and won from Mike Turner and Sue Watson.

With some consistent results by Mike Turner and Jim Christie, perhaps they are the ones to watch in this final series of the year

With the northerly airs, most people wrapped up and donned hats to keep warm (though William and Robbie D were still bearing a bit of leg despite the snow on Skiddaw!), though Elaine and Kayla were complaining of cold posteriors at the end of racing!

With two weekends of the championship season to go, the final weekend series is being held this weekend. With a forecast of rain and gales for Sunday, it may be just a short series!

There was a good breeze all afternoon, enough to cause the odd capsize – Mike Fairlamb with Margaret Trotter had an unfortunate capsize on the beat that lost them the lead to Val and Ken Bell in a closely fought race. However, Dave and Sarah Nicholson came through to win the first race.

Mike and Kayla had two close races against Tim Chittenden in the F15s, but it was Mike that took the honours.

Scumper and Big E took the lead in the handicap fleet in both races, and won them on handicap from Bean and brother Rob (or was it Tim?!)

In the Mirror fleet Nick Orton was so far ahead he had to do a lap of honour! Mik had his knickers in a twist after doing turns for hitting Nick on the head with his boom earlier in the race. Toddy’s 2nd in the first race and win in the 2nd gave him the series (the Mirrors have already decided they’re not sailing on Sunday)

Sunday came together with the forecast wind. Mike Fairlamb was itching to race and strengthen his position in the series – he’d brought in Dave Lawson to crew! However, the OD checked out the conditions on the water and decided to cancel racing for the day

The latest championship results are listed below. The championship winners may have been determined, but can next weekend make a difference to your place in the championship?

The rain cleared overnight on Friday with a forecast of 10-12mph afternoon breeze from the SW for Saturday

The FF team racing having been cancelled we had the lake to ourselves. There were many puffs of wind which made all the difference in terms of getting lifts, but they never seemed to be sustained long enough to gain a good advantage. The wind freshened towards the end of the first race, but lacked lustre for the second 🙁

Shunty and Ruth got away in both races to secure two firsts on fleet handicap basis. Lynn Lawson tried her hand at helming, with Dave crewing, and sailed consistently to take a first and second on a personal handicap basis

Sunday was forecast to bring some sun, but less wind.

Sunday started with a light southerly which looked promising for some good sailing – how deceptive looks can be! With a very starboard biased beat there was little tacking to be done on the main beat of the course, and the light winds gave little opportunity for the asymmetric boats to gain (or should that be not lose) any ground on the rest of the fleet. This led to Shunty losing, well spitting out, his dummy. Mike and Kayla were taking advantage of the situation and sailed well to finish first on the water and take first overall on personal, and fleet, handicap basis.

Backed by, perhaps, a sea breeze, the wind swung to the SW during the lunch break, and seemed to strengthen with various gusts passing through. Although the fleets finished in the expected order this time, the lulls and gusts on the offwind legs allowed the pack to tighten. Lynn Lawson again sailed excellently to win the race on fleet handicap from Shunty, and a 2nd on personal handicap basis gave her the October personal handicap trophy.

Mike Moore had to win the last race on fleet handicap to take the October Series, but Shunty’s 2nd was sufficient to fend Mike off and take the trophy. With 2nd place in both series Mike felt like it was a case of always being the bridesmaid, never the bride. Say no more! Well it was his wedding anniversary – what did he expect? Special treatment?!

Congratulations go to Phil Smith and Naomi Darling following the announcement of their engagement

Saturday’s horrendous forecast was right! Wind and rain was probably the cause of a lack of interest and competitors. OD Toggle was ready and raring to go (home), but that was it. Shortly after the due start time he raised N over A and that was it, racing cancelled for the day

Sunday could be a better day – we hope! Can you spot the difference?

The wind and rain passed through overnight, with sunshine, but no wind, the view of the lake was as good as it gets

The wind was due to fill in from the north, but whether it would come in time the sailors just had to wait and see

Surprisingly, they didn’t have to wait long. The wind filled in from the north as forecast, although a swinging wind meant the windward leeward course was a bit of a fetch for one of the laps. Shunty and Ruth headed for 3 instead of 2 on the first beat putting them back into 4th place, but worked their way back through the fleet to finish 2nd behind Robbie D and Toggle who were making a guest appearance in Roy’s RS400

Mike Moore and Kayla sailed into a big lead ahead of Alan Nicholson and Sam Hall

The wind was due to freshen, but there was the expectation that racing would be over by the time it did. The wind did hold but not particularly strengthen. There were some significant shifts to contend with, together with holes that swallowed up parts of the fleets.

Julian Cruickshank in a GP worked his way through one of the holes so well that he got to the front of the fleet and beat Mike Moore on the water! Also, the Mirrors both did well with Mik Chappell securing 2nd and Alan Waugh a formidable 3rd.

The last race in both series was the qualifying race for both Robbie D in the Asymmetric fleet and Mike Moore in the MJM series. Mike’s wallowing in the hole cost him the opportunity of winning the series which went to Sam Hall. Robbie D had a poor first beat but worked his way back to 2nd overall to snatch the series from Joan and Jack Hardie

Next week the Flying 15 team racing is being held alongside club racing for the October Series

The wind freshened as the afternoon went on to give a pleasant sail, though the curve on the wind always seem to benefit those to windward.

In the mirrors there was a dead heat in the first race and some very close racing in the second, though Toddy lost his nerve on the final beat to the finish and Mik sneaked through.

Val and Ken Bell continued their winning streak to take two firsts from Mike and Elaine Fairlamb, and Dave and Sarah Nicholson – all a bit of a family affair?!

In the Handicap fleet William with Neil Garrison crewing put up a valiant fight until the final reach when Scumper and Robbie D broke through for their second win of the day. When the results were calculated, Scumper had beaten Mike by just 3 secs pushing William into 3rd place