Fleet Challenge B

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With many families having been sailing elsewhere in the past week, and another wet and windy forecast, there was only a few takers for the weekend fleet challenge.

Though sailing secretary John Reekie in his Solo led throughout the first race, it was not to be in the second one, which was led by Tim/Barbara in a F15, as John capsized, and headed for the wrong marks! A decided to curtail the second race due to limited rescue cover, and the fact that the sailors had already suffered in the high winds!

On handicap, John’s lead in the first race was sufficient to win the race, followed by Dave in a Laser Radial. The positions were reversed in the 2nd race, so despite being on equal points, Dave is the overnight leader.

With only the overnight leader turning up to race on Sunday (others presumably believed the forecast), racing was cancelled, and the overnight results stand, with Dave Lawson winning the Fleet Challenge B trophy.

Meanwhile various Bass Ladies on Tour competed in a Muddy Race for Life in aid of Caroline Storey. Use this link if you are able to support their cause and thank you very much to all that have. We have raised a very impressive £1620 so far!

North West Junior Travellers Trophy 2023

15 July, 2023

Racing got underway at 12 noon, just after a squall arrived, but didn’t cause many capsizes. With the wind coming from the SSW the downwind leg of the trapezoidal course was occasionally in the shadow of Sale Fell, and unexpectedly light. As some gusts came through there were various capsizes, and some spectacular planing. The race was won by Max Rawlinson/Eddie Johnson in a Feva, with Mya Fance/Seren Green, also in a Feva, 2nd.

The course was slightly narrower in the next race, and it helped keep the boats in the wind. Again, there was some windy conditions just before the start, and the squalls passing through kept the rescue crews occupied. Max/Eddie took another win with Oliver Hirst in a ILCA6 2nd.

After a short break ashore, the wind freshened yet again during the start sequence!. Shortly after the second start, a widespread squall soon flattened a quarter of the fleet, so the was abandoned and sailors headed ashore.

With no major damage, and the wind settling, another attempt at starting the third race was made. However, there proved to be two winds, with the gusting wind taking precedence, so several start sequences were stopped, as the OD amended the course waiting for the wind to settle. Sailors had clean starts for all three races, and there were more capsizes, and some great planing conditions at times. With the wind freshening again, the race was shortened, and sailors headed ashore for the evening, with the temptation of a visiting fish and chip van, although due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn’t able to attend!

Sunday’s forecast was for stronger baseline winds from the west but with bigger gusts. Having checked the wind before the start, the OD deemed conditions suitable. About a third of the fleet were less optimistic and opted not to race, but those that sailed had more good racing, great planing conditions, and some shifty, capsize inducing gusts!

Max Rawlinson/Eddie Johnson continued their mastery of the conditions, winning all five races, and the event overall. Similarly, Oliver Hirst had two more 2nds, finishing 2nd overall. George Jacobs in a Byte was 3rd.

Best Bass helm was Cameron Somerville in a Laser 4.7 finishing 10th overall. Brother Matthew and Henry Bullen, in an RS200, may have beaten him had they not spent so much time swimming!

Unsettled Sunday

9 July, 2023

Sunday’s forecast of F2 gusting F3 from the SW was somewhat elusive when sailors arrived, keen to race. Unexpectedly the wind filled in from the NE, only to fade again. When the SW breeze appeared racing got underway, but the shifting winds caused flat spots at both gybe marks despite holding for the main beat!

Paul in his Laser won on handicap, with Neil, out in his Solo for the first time this season, 2nd.

In the GPs, Val/Ken pipped AJ/Sue on the line, while in the slow handicap fleet, on handicap, Lucy in an Optimist beat brother Oliver in his Tera.

Latest MG etc results

During the lunch break the wind faded, and racing was eventually cancelled.

Laser, Solo and Tera Open 2023

8 July, 2023

Opens Racing No Comments

On Saturday there was a one day open for Lasers, Solos, and Teras with an entry of 25 boats over the three fleets. Warm weather had returned with a forecast of light F2 winds gusting F3 generally from the SSE.

Racing got underway on time at 11am with just one Laser, Richard Benson from Tynemouth, being OCS, and having to return. Greg Liggins from Derwent Reservoir generally led the Lasers, but there was some close competition at times, especially as the wind veered to the SW enabling Sale Fell to cast a shadow on the second beat in the course, resulting in drifting conditions at the top of the leg. When the fleets escaped the wind shadow, the wind had freshened and veered more to the west. Being close on Greg’s transom at the final leeward mark, Andy Thomas used the wind shift to his advantage by freeing off for speed, and taking the win.

The start line was relocated for the 2nd race, but the fresh winds at the end of the 1st race had eased, and continued to swirl, so there was an earlier than planned lunch break during which the wind seemed to settle back from the west.

A windward/leeward course was set for the 2nd race, and again the only helm too eager with his port on port start, and caught OCS, was Richard Benson but he failed to return. The wind strength varied but the direction was steady until the final beat when the wind veered more to the NNW, and another wind shadow enveloped the windward mark.

The start line was moved for the final race, but, frustratingly, the wind backed soon after racing was underway, so the race was shortended after three laps.

In the Lasers, Greg won the final two races to win overall, with Andy 2nd. Local Alex Reed had led most of the final race, but finishing 2nd to Greg pulled him up the ranks to 3rd overall.

In the Solos, there were different winners for each race with only two points separating the first four boats. Andy Carter from Leigh & Lowton winning overall, with John Reekie from Bass 2nd, and Rory Yardley 3rd.

In the Teras, Andrew Reekie had three straight wins, Oscar Davenport three 2nds, and Oliver Smith three 3rds, finishing in that order overall.

Laser Winner Greg Liggins from Derwent Reservoir

Solo Winner Andy Carter from Leigh & Lowton

Tera Winner Andrew Reekie from Bassenthwaite

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

10 June, 2023

Fleet Challenge A final results

Racing No Comments

Saturday had the hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching 28C, and there was SE force 4 to boot! Though the wind eased slightly from time to time, the champagne conditions continued throughout the afternoon for the first two races in the weekend Fleet Challenge series

The was some great planing conditions to be enjoyed by all, but only one capsize.

Unexpectedly, Sunday started with force 1-2 southerly though it eased after about half an hour as it competed with a northerly causing various calm spots, and some major shifts! Fortunately through the lunch break the sea breeze took over and there was a steadier breeze for the final race of the series.

Though positions on the water fluctuated and some ha, on handicap Dave/Lynn had consistent results, winning all four races. Neil/Archie in their RS200 had two 2nds and dead heat with Paul/Vicky taking 2.5 points and 2nd overall. Mike/Jack in a Graduate were 3rd

Sun Filled Weekend

4 June, 2023

Calvert Trust Pennant results

The sunny weather continued into the weekend with temperatures in the low 20s. The forecast NE wind proved to be as shifty and variable as the previous weekend. Being the end of half term, and several members competing in the Mirror National Championships in Brightlinsea, there was just one fleet racing on Saturday.

During the first race the swinging wind faded for a short while then came back having veered through almost 90 degrees forcing boats to tack on the final reach! The course was relocated for the next race, though the wind shifts were somewhat less dramatic.

Mike/Jack netted another two wins to strengthen their lead in the series, with Pauk G 2nd, and just one race left.

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Sunday started with little wind but it filled in from the NE in time for racing. Again there was just one fleet enjoying a much steadier wind than Saturday.

Neil/Archie led the race in the RS200, but on handicap it was another win for Mike/Jack, again strengthening their lead in the series, with Neil G 2nd.

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With the risk of a sea breeze affecting the wind after lunch it was decided to run both races back to back.

As with the 1st race, Neil/Archie led the race, but Mike/Jack made it a clean sweep with another win.

Final results in Mirror Nationals – Congratulations to all for their great achievements

Overalls for 2023 UK Mirror Nationals

Naomi & Lucy 🥈 Regatta
Phil & Oliver 🥈
Andy & Lily 9th
Alex & Saskia 14th – Plus Youngest Crew to complete all races 🏆

Whit Bank Holiday 2023

27 May, 2023

The forecast for the third bank holiday this month was unusually good. Fortunately, it seemed to be accurate on Saturday, with bright spells, and a warm wind from the west offering good planing conditions, it was another dose of champagne sailing conditions (not that some of the Friday evening revellers could perhaps face a drink!).

There was an excellent turnout of more than 40 boats for the Mark Ninnim memorial trophy, being raced over two races on Saturday. The shifty conditions mixed up the typical finishing positions for many, but meant there was close racing, with many positions changing. The extra long line needed for a single start led to the first general recall of the season in club racing.

Sunday’s wind was slow to fill in from the forecast NE but it appeared in time for racing only for it to be superseded by a southerly. The course was a straightforward windward leeward. There were various shifts throughout the start sequence, but soon after the last start the southerly and NE winds successfully opposed each other causing a massive calm patch for 10-15 minutes.

Finally the NE wind won, and the legs became reaches, but at least the boats were sailing again!

During lunch the wind held, then swung back to the south, which held until the fleets had started, then repeated the morning by dying! By the time the last boat finished the wind had reappeared from the NE.

The final race of the day followed on with the best winds of the day, and some good planing conditions.

In the F15s, Robbie D/Toggle watched their lead diminish in the first race as the fleet on the other side of the course were first to benefit from the wind filling in from the NE. They held on to win, but gear failure prevented further results. Andy/Ian won the other races, but with three results it was to be Ian/Lezliann than lead overnight.

The mixed conditions ended up with Mike/Jack in a Graduate, Phil/Oscar in a RS200 and Jack/Caroline in a RS400 each winning a race, but consistency by Chris/Evie in a RS200 gave them the overnight lead.

Dave/Lynn took three wins and the overnight lead in the GPs, with AJ/Sue 2nd.

In the slow handicap, Bean/Oliver dead heated on handicap with Tristan in the first race, but took another two wins to lead overnight.

Bank holiday Monday started like Sunday with few ripples on the water but half an hour before the start the NE wind filled enough of the bay for stand in OD Commodore Preston announced the committee boat was heading out.

There was a short delay to recover the port pin which was temporarily marking the location of a rogue commercial wheelie bin, but, with the wind having filled the bay, proceedings got underway, catching out a few stragglers.

Again, there were some large swings in wind direction, with places gained and lost, but the wind held to the end, and the lunch break, during which the wheelie bin was successfully recovered!

After lunch a line was set for a 2pm start only for the wind to fade and swing, and spin through numerous directions, so a postponement signalled, the line lifted, and the waiting began. After half an hour, and numerous boats heading ashore, racing was about to be abandoned when there was a hint of a sea breeze, so a new line set, the sequence started, then postponed moments before the first start due to the wind dying. There was one more attempt to start the final race, but to no avail.

In the F15s a win by Ian/Lezliann confirmed their 1st place winning the Scarness Cup, with Robbie D/Toggle 2nd.

Similarly Chris/Evie won the handicap race and secured their overnight lead to win the Wythop Trophy, with Phil/Oscar 2nd.

With 3 wins, Dave/Lynn couldn’t be beaten in the Graham Cup but they added another win to their collection, and AJ/Sue finished 2nd in the series.

It was the same story in the slow handicap, with overnight leaders Bean/Oliver taking another win and the series Reflection Trophy, with Tristan 2nd.

After racing there was a mysterious flypast of eight military helicopters, including 3/4 chinooks…

Another High

20 May, 2023

Jubilee Sailing Trust pennant results

High pressure on Saturday again squeezed out the likelihood of good winds, but there was enough to wind to get racing underway. The general wind direction was from the north, but, as ever, it did swing from time to time.

Banter/Oscar in their RS200 led the handicap fleet in both races, finishing with a 1st and 2nd, with some close competition from Neil/Archie in their RS200 finishing 2nd and 5th, but Mike/Jack in their Graduate were in close contention, finishing 3rd and 1st to hold the lead in the series.

Dave/Lynn won both GP races, and lead the series, with James/Jenny and Julian/Jane each taking a 2nd.

The slow handicap fleet comprised the Smith family – Oliver, Bean, Lily and Andy, all in Teras. A clear demonstration as to how crew weight affects overall boat speed, especially downwind! Oliver won both races. The fact that Bean capsized when caught out by a wind shift is not an acceptable excuse for not doing better… Oliver won both races and leads the series.

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Sunday was brighter, but the wind was lighter, and very variable in strength from minute to minute. Racing was delayed until 1215 hrs but the promising wind from the north all but faded when the sequence commenced. Mike/Jack were not far from the line at their start, but they ended up starting with the GPs! Perhaps it was tactical as they were able to see where the wind might be coming from next, and pulled through to win on the water, on handicap, and maintain the series lead.

In the GPs, AJ/Sue were leading at the end of the first lap, but slipped back to finish 3rd behind Dave/Lynn who lead the series, and Nigel/Glenys 2nd.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust pennant was held after lunch. The winds were just as fickle as the morning. Mike/Jack in a Graduate had some close racing with Dave/Lynn in a GP, finishing 1st on the water and on handicap. Dave/Lynn were 2nd and Banter/Oscar 3rd

Flying 15 & GP14 Open 2023

13 May, 2023