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.

Overall results

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.

Latest results (when available)

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.

Final results

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.

Final results

With the high winds due to storm Babet having subsided, sailing conditions were pleasant for the fleet of eight boats, though the NW breeze had a bite to it, tempered slightly by occasional sunny spells, there was no rain.

Thomas/Henry tried their hand at racing the F15 but foiled when a spinnaker sheet miraculously wrapped itself around the rudder, so they retired. Neil/Archie in a RS200 led the fleet in both races, with James/Jenny in a GP 2nd, but it was the second race that they built a good lead. AJ/Sue had mixed fortunes but pulled back on James by the end of each race.

On handicap, in the first race the GPs took 1st and 2nd, with Neil G in a Laser 3rd, but Neil/Archie won the next race, followed by the GPs

Latest results

Sunday’s racing was delayed 45 minutes waiting for the wind to fill in. When it did some drizzle came with it!

Neil/Archie led the fleet again with AJ/Sue following on, though in the next race AJ was first to cross the start line (albeit five seconds after the signal), led to the windward mark, then with all the excitement their gybing skills failed them allowing Neil to catch up…

The race was shortened due to the fading wind as a result of which the large time difference between Neil and AJ was exaggerated as the mirror like conditions returned.

On corrected time, Neil/Archie had two 1sts to take the overall lead in the Sunday series. Similarly, AJ/Sue had two 2nds and are second overall.

Latest results

Despite the air temperature plummeting over recent days there was a handful of boats keen to race in the WNW F2 breeze. Neil was keen to have reaches, so that wish was taken on board, with one beat and five reaches. Stand in OD Nick was ticking off each spinnaker leg as the wind veered , and dark rain cloud moved in towards the end of the first lap.

The beat was last as the wind swung, and the wind eased as the rain passed through, before backing to the W in time for the 2nd race.

Between races, James asked for fewer gybe marks to appease his crew!

The wind faded by the next race, which seemed it might just last a single leg, but the wind came in from the NE, albeit for just a few minutes, but long enough for the race to continue on to complete a full lap, though it was to be a drift to the finish…

On the water, the first race was won by Neil/Archie in their 200, followed by Val/Ken and James/Jenny in their GPs.

The slow finish in the next race will likely result in on the water positions being the same on corrected time with Neil/Archie finishing 1st, then AJ/Sue in a GP, and Tim/Barbara in a F15

Latest results (when available)

Sunday was flat calm (just the way Mike/Jack like it!) and bright sunshine, but the forecast W breeze came in and racing was underway by noon. Again the wind veered to the NW for a while but swung back again. The occasional gust enabled planing conditions to top off a good day’s racing.

Neil/Archie led the first race until the leeward mark which they rounded the wrong way, but despite losing several places, they pulled back to finish behind Mike/Jack on the water, with Thomas/grandad Keith in a F15 third.

In the next race, no mishaps so Neil/Archie led throughout followed by Mike then Thomas.

Latest results (when available)

Well not exactly sultry, but still very mild! The recent rain has found its way into the lake, which has risen significantly through the week. Ensure your boat is safe in case of significant rises in the lake level over the next few days.

Though overcast, the rain held off all afternoon and there was a good F3-4 for the select group of sailors to enjoy some good planing conditions. The downside being that most boats had a capsize, and Neil/Archie continued there streak of retiring due to gear failure, this time due to the kicker block giving up the ghost!

Neil in the RS200 had been leading the first race before retiring, but Alex in his Laser was close on his tail. Paul in a Radial lassoed the leeward mark with his mainsheet before capsizing to get free.

Sisters Hannah and Zara continued their learning curve, and were loosely guided by Neil G to get them around the course successfully, but one race was sufficient, especially after a brief capsize.

That left just Alex and Paul competing in the 2nd race. Though Alex led, he did capsize on one gust, enabling Paul to remain in striking distance for the rest of the race.

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Sunday was brighter, still mild, with little breeze but numerous sailors keen to race.

A small triangular course was set to keep racing manageable, but the wind continued to strengthen, reducing average lap times to less than 8 minutes, enabling the fleet to sail the full course of five laps! Also, the wind veered so it was necessary to relocate the start for the next race.

Unfortunately the wind opted to fight itself for a while leaving the sailors somewhat in the lurch, so the race was shortened after one lap. Of course, the wind then started to settle in from the forecast southerly direction with the best wind of day (although it only lasted about an hour). Hey ho!

Latest results (when available)

After recent rain, and stormy weather, the temperature has dipped again, and cloud moved in for a damp afternoon’s sailing to start the Saturday Autumn series.

The wind enabled sailors to enjoy some exciting planing early in the first race which was led by Scumper/Matty in a RS400, followed by James/Jenny in a GP, and Mike/Jack in a Graduate. The wind eased slightly, but not the rain, as the afternoon went on so Scumper called it a day after the first race.

Julie in a F15 led the next race with Mike/Jack 2nd on the water, and James/Jenny 3rd.

Sunday was drier, milder, and nowhere near as gusty as forecast.

With the stand in OD sleeping in, it was down to the official starter to manage proceedings from a fixed line start between the Bates and 0 for the fleet of four boats.

The start for the first race was very orderly, and processional with no passing – Neil/Archie led in their RS200, followed by AJ/Sue.

For the next race Neil and AJ both opted to fly their kites on the start line. AJ was very close to being OCS but tucked back just in time. The lead order remained the same but, having been trailing, Paul came back to beat Neil on the line by 1 sec. Barbara was the only person to capsize, albeit after she had finished!

Latest results (to follow)

With the schools back, the weather has perked up for a brief Indian summer and providing champagne sailing conditions. The Tinker Association had a smaller fleet than usual for their open meeting, while club boats were racing  in a weekend series for the Tinker Trophy.

Fortunately the light westerly was enhanced by the effects of a sea breeze, though, as ever, there were some regular swings in direction enabling gains for those on the right shifts! Paul/Vicki were generally leading the fleet on the water, but when Val/Ken chose to fly their kite on a tight reach they broke through to lead the race to the end.

As forecast, the wind was lighter on Sunday so there was a slight delay to the start waiting for the wind to fill back in which just about held for the morning race which Neil led on the water. To avoid the heavy rain forecast for early afternoon, it was proposed to sail the races back to back, but boats headed ashore due to the light wind. After lunch the wind came in from the south with gusto tempting Banter to take out his RS300, but it was the first reach before he took the lead and broke away. The offwind legs had some exciting planing conditions when some gusts came through (together with some more persistent rain), and there was at least one capsize.

Final results (when available)

Good luck to all those members taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday.