Considering the weather over recent weeks, ironically, the final Saturday of meteorological summer started with an abundance of bright sunshine and a lack of wind, it filled in from the south with some white horses in the narrows at Scarness.

As racing started, the wind backed and eased, took away planing conditions, and minimised the risk of capsizing (much to AJ’s relief). Though Dave/Lynn won both races in the GPs, they didn’t have it all their own way, and had to pass AJ/Sue in the first race! AJ sailed consistently enough to secure 2nd place in both races.

Neil/Archie led both handicap races by a large margin, securing a 1st and a 2nd. Ian in a Solo was the other winner, while Rory, also in a Solo, took the other 2nd

Sunday’s forecast was somewhat mixed with conflicting predictions as to the direction (E and NW). During the morning there was a patchy NE that filled in with a vengeance just before sailors headed out.

The beat on the course was soon very one sided as the wind veered more to the south, and though the OD anticipated the wind would back again to the east, it didn’t so the race was shortened after 30 minutes. Neil/Archie led and won the handicap race, while Dave/Lynn won the GPs.

Latest results

The next race was the RNLI pennant, in the distant past held around the lake. However, with the southerly breeze holding out, there was an appetite to head down the lake by all sailors, so a compromise course down to mark 10 was agreed.

The fleet stayed very close together, and Neil/Archie in their RS200 led, with AJ/Sue next around the windward mark, ahead of Dave/Lynn, a position they held for most of the run down to 3. Dave had taken heed of the light and fluky airs along the eastern shoreline, and by keeping west he pulled back to make it a close fight to the finish.

Coming in to the final mark the GPs seemed to be taking it to starboard instead of port, much to the consternation of Neil who was reaching in on starboard! Consequently AJ got flustered and dropped back from being 1st on the water to 3rd as Neil, then Dave got past, there being no more than 4 secs between them all!

Dave won on handicap , AJ 2nd , and Neil 3rd

RNLI pennant overall results

For the last bank holiday of the sailing season, there has been an additional day’s camping. After two wet and stormy nights, there were plenty of sunny intervals for racing on Saturday.

Although a few sailors found the high base wind level offputting, there was a good turnout for the afternoon races. There was plenty of close racing, with little room for mistakes.

The wind eased temporarily after the first start, but then returned with good gusts to provide some exciting planing reaches. There were various capsizes, and several benefitted from the higher lake levels as they discovered their burgee still in place after turtling!

Robbie D/Toggle won both races in the F15. In the handicap fleet Chris/Laura in a RS200 won the first race, with Phil/Rory winning the second. In the slow handicap fleet Oscar/Poppy in a Feva won one race, and Oliver in a Tera the other.

Latest DW series results

Sunday’s forecast for higher base winds, higher gusts, and plenty of rain was almost correct (the rain showers weren’t particularly heavy!), and despite a two hour postponement the conditions didn’t improve sufficiently to tempt anyone to go out out (though Oliver was keen to have a shot!)

Monday’s wind was much more amenable, though it tried the OD’s patience by rapidly shifting more to the SW soon after the start sequence!. The bonus being that backing to the SW meant one of the reaches was better for planing.

The F3/F4 was sufficient to make the sailors work hard to stay upright, and there were a few capsizes, including AJ/Sue to name but one, but the racing was good.

With the series curtailed to just two races, there was no discards. Robbie D/Toggle won both races and the Flying Free Trophy. Chris/Evie won the August Trophy, with Dave/Lynn 2nd. Phil/Lucy won the Mirror Mug with Andy/daughter 2nd

Final results

Following Saturday’s open meeting, racing was back to normal on Sunday, with the final race in two long series. Weather was milder, and a few more sunny spells, though the W breeze started off slightly lighter than Saturday. After lunch the breeze freshened to create some better planing conditions.

No two boats in the handicap fleet were in the same class so it was difficult for sailors to gauge their performance. The only boat to capsize was a 29er helmed by James with dad John crewing. Robbie D/Toggle joined forces again in their F15, built up a good lead and won both races, with Rory in his Solo getting two 2nds. Paul in a ILCA 6, took the morning 3rd, while Mike/Jack in the Graduate were 3rd in the afternoon.

In the GPs, Val/Ken took an early lead in both races, but finished 2nd to Dave/Lynn. AJ/Sue were keen to continue their winning ways, but being over the line in the afternoon race didn’t help their cause!

Overall series results had Rory winning the Barf Trophy, with Phil/Rory 2nd, and Neil/Archie winning the Dodd Trophy, and Phil/Rory runners up.

AJ/Sue won the Spring Cup, with Val/Ken 2nd, while Dave/Lynn won the Mustard Pot, with Val/Ken 2nd.

Andrew won the MT Red Sail Trophy, while Alex/Saskia won the MT AB Trophy

MT etc final results

BL etc final results

Several club members took part in the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater over the weekend with over 200 entrants.

Congratulations to club members Chris Pickles/Matt Sharman in a RS400 (3rd), Paul/Grace Allen in a 59er (7th), and Dave Exley/Joe Roberts in a RS400 (8th) on their outstanding performances, all fimnishing in the top 10!

Lord Birkett results

Saturday sailing was another couple of races towards the MJM trophy for all classes. Perhaps it was the overcast, cold weather that put sailors off, or was it just other sailing events that kept them away?

The F2-3 held all afternoon, and though the wind was shifting, some boats were banging the corners on the beat which resulted in a few position changes. Neil and son Archie were competing against each other in Laser Radials, perhaps more competition than Neil was expecting, as Archie beat him in the 2nd race! Mike/Jack in their Graduate, broke through to lead both races on the water, finishing 2nd and 3rd on handicap. Seemingly plenty of bickering between AJ and Sue as they passed the committee boat each lap, but it must have worked as they beat James/Jenny in both races, taking a 1st and 2nd on handicap.

AJ/Sue lead the series with Nigel/Glenys 2nd

Latest MJM results

Sunday was slightly milder, with less wind, but threatening rain showers from time to time.

Toggle was out in his Solo, soon took the lead and went on to win the race on handicap from Neil, then Archie, both in Laser Radials again. Dave/Lynn won the GPs, ahead of Val/Ken (who lead the series) and AJ/Sue.

The race after lunch was the Jimmy Lancaster Memorial trophy pennant, but the sailors were saved from having the typical round the lake course. This proved to be quite fortuitous as the wind eased soon after the start, and it seemed unrealistic to send them around for a second lap and the OD be home in time for the football! Shortly before Dave/Lynn crossed the finish line in 1st place, the wind started to fill in from the SW, not only speeding up the finishing sequence but causing a few tensions as different boats caught the wind and gained several places. Rounding the final leeward mark it was all to play for as five boats were less than three boats apart, and all searching for wind. Richard in his Solo aimed straight for the line, and it worked as he finished 2nd overall, with Toggle 3rd.

BL etc latest results

JLMT results

Next Saturday we will be hosting the Laser Lakeland and Border Grand Prix and RS Tera open meeting. 1st race scheduled for 12 Noon. Enter on Webcollect

With the official start of summer, we could expect warmer weather, but it was not to be. After a sunny morning, the clouds moved in and the temperature dropped, but the westerly breeze held, then freshened towards the end of the afternoon.

The handicap fleet of 15 boats included a couple of GPs and a F15. The wind was strong enough for crews to sit out, but there were no capsizes. The occasional shifts enabled some position changes.

Dave/Lynn in their GP won both races on handicap, with Ian/Lezliann in a F15 and Phil/Rory in RS200 each having a 2nd and a 3rd.

Sunday brought wall to wall sunshine, with a similar WSW F2-3 throughout the day. As ever, there were some large swings in the wind direction, and occasional planing conditions. Andrew/Oscar in a 29er coped with several capsizes, but one was enough for Archie/Lily in a RS200, mainly because their boom had come adrift. Every day is a school day…

Dave/Lynn continued to master the conditions, winning all three races, and the Isel Cup overall. Phil/Rory secured a couple of 2nds, finishing 2nd overall, with Ian/Lezliann 3rd, on equal points with Alex/John in a RS400.

Final results