Winter Series Concludes

Despite there being no white frost, several competitors still had to clear ice that had accumulated in their boat covers. Although Banter had submitted to the conditions and was wearing long trousers, both his crew Oscar, and Neil�s crew Archie, turned up in shorts!

There was a good Southerly breeze throughout the day for the two RS200s and two Radials to enjoy competitive racing, with some good planing reaches. The rescue crew had no capsizes to deal with, so were lucky not to be frozen solid by the end of the day�s racing!

Banter/Oscar led the first race, with Neil/Archie 2nd, Neil G 3rd, and Paul 4th. Neil/Archie had gear problems before the final race and headed ashore, but the finishing order was the same for other boats.

Banter won both races, and took overall lead from Neil/Archie to win the series, with Neil G 3rd and Paul 4th overall (as the day�s first race!)

Final results

Winter Series

A damp and drizzly morning greeted our usual suspects. But there was wind and plenty of enthusiasm amongst the sailors�. This was despite the OD, Alan’s attempts to dissuade the takers ????.

The rain eased, and the wind was a steady 2 occasional 3. In the first race, there were lots of position changes in the RS200s with Banter/Oscar, and Neil/Archie enjoying some close racing. The first race was won by Neil/Archie, then Banter/Oscar, next home was Tim/Barbara in the F15 followed by Paul in his Laser radial.

The second race the wind eased, and whilst the RS200 were having a ‘Banter’ pre start the race got under way. All be it with some late starting in the RS200 fleet. The positions were reversed from the first race with Banter/Oscar coming home first followed by Tim/Barbara then Neil/Archie. However Paul sailed a great race, and it looks like it could be quite tight once the handicap is worked out.

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Winter Blues

Snow on Skiddaw is always a wonderful sight, but not necessarily an excuse to be sailing! Despite it being cold and quite windy, the Campbells, the MacGregors, and Neil rigged up. Neil G thought better of it before launch after bringing in the Bates� Wisely!

Neil/Archie went out and had some fun playing with the kite. James/Jenny went out too, but then Jenny realised it was too cold for her hands. They kindly offered to start then go in, but Neil wasn’t going to sail round and keep everyone out in the cold, so it was agreed to call it a day.

Thanks to Mike and Jack for their efforts setting the course only to find there was no takers!

Winter rolls in

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)

End of Summer Time

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

Calm after the storm

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

Annual Prize Giving

It�s time to celebrate another successful year at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and to award our worthy prize winners at our annual dinner dance.
This years event is at Armathwaite Hall Hotel, Bassenthwaite, CA12 4RE on Saturday 11th November 2023, starting at 7.00pm with food served from 7.30pm.
Dig out your posh attire and reserve your seat by booking through Webcollect by Saturday 28th October.
It�s �35 (�17.50 for under 16�s) and includes a delicious 3 course meal with disco entertainment. Please add any seating preferences to your booking.
Below is the food menu for the evening, please make your selections on Webcollect.
Any queries, please contact Kirstie.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
MENU
Starter:
Parsnip and apple velout�, warm bread roll, smoked salted butter. (gf). (v).
Pressed ham, mustard and caper terrine, piccalilli, toasted sourdough.
King prawn and crayfish cocktail, cognac marie rose sauce, red apple. (gf*)
Main course:
Pan roast guinea fowl, celeriac puree, dauphinoise potato, heritage carrots, red wine jus.
Sticky Asian sea bass, spring onion, chilli, fresh lime and coriander served with jasmine rice. (gf).
Butternut squash bake with wild rice. (v) (gf).
To finish:
Sticky toffee pudding, caramel sauce, vanilla custard. (gf*).
White chocolate and ginger cheesecake.
Selection of cheese, water biscuits, chutney and grapes.
Selection of mixed ice cream.

We want reaches

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)

Sultry Saturday

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.

Latest results (when available)

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)

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