Opportunity Knocks

For those of you that were unable to get to see the initial runs of Emma’s play ‘True’ or her film ‘One last walk’ they could be coming to a village near you very soon.

Both the play and film will be at these venues on the following dates

7.30pm 8th November – Florence Mine, Egremont
7.30pm 9th November – Torpenhow Village Hall
7.30pm 10th November – Gosforth Public Hall
7.30pm 15th November – Beggars Theatre, Millom
7.30pm 17th November – Thursby Village Hall

October Draws to a Close

28 October, 2012

With October almost over this weekend concluded the remaining series for this year’s prize giving. Don’t forget to book your tickets with Andrea!

Saturday was basked in sunshine but the wind was somewhat lighter than forecast, and was variable in strength and direction . Saturday racing comprised the final two races in the October series. Mike/Kayla took an early lead in both races, and then seemed to benefit from being in the right place at the right time to substantially extend his lead, winning both races on fleet handicap and securing a 1st and 2nd on personal handicap.

Steve was back on the water in his Solo for his 1st race after a couple of months rest following surgery and was holding a strong position until it was pointed out that he had missed A out, so had to return, losing significant ground in the process. Tim/Martin in their F15 had some close racing with Ian/Lezli-Ann whom they beat in the first race but not the second.

Mik also returned to the water after several months recuperation and took a 2nd on fleet handicap and 3rd on a personal handicap.

Jim C was, unusually, crewing for Kath in a GP. His lack of practice at flying a spinnaker showed at times, but it didn’t affect Kath’s overall position.

Mike/Kayla’s strong results won them both the personal and fleet handicap series. Interestingly 2nd (Alan/Sue) and 3rd (Kath/Glynis/Jim) positions were the same in both series.

Flying Fifteen Team Racing

21 October, 2012

A goodly contingent of 8 boats from Derwent Reservoir and a lone adventurer from Scotland travelled to Bass SC to take part in the annual team racing event on the weekend of 20th October. Together the nine visiting boats provided three teams set to challenge the two teams from the home club. With Steve Goacher due to arrive on the Sunday it was agreed that the team lying in last position overnight would reap the benefit of having Steve as an addition to their team on day two.

The overnight forecast was amended on Saturday morning to suggest that the projected 12 mph breeze was not going to materialise – nor did it. The fleet launched in pleasant sunshine and a gentle F2. The conditions, however, were not as benign as the casual observer might have been led to believe. The wind strength was extremely variable over the race course, with bands of pressure favouring some and heaping ordure on others.

The early leaders of the first race, Neil Platt and Phil Davenport from the home club, headed the fleet for most of the first lap, only to end up in 9th place. Terry Crumpton and John Mathie from DRSC were consistently in the leading vanguard and managed, eventually, to find their way to the front and take the gun. Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood from Bass found a few more ladders than snakes and sailed well to finish second, with John Hardisty and Dave Christie from DRSC also improving through the race to finish third.

The second race was sailed in a gradually fading breeze. Terry Crumpton and John Mathie showed great consistency in the testing conditions taking the gun for a second time. Former FF hot shots Neil Currie and Rory Yardley, who have recently returned to the class, recovered from their eigth place in Race 1 to take second, with Dave Douglass and Steve Turley from DRSC improving to third.

Terry Crumpton and John Mathie were overnight leaders from Simon Longstaff and and Jon Denwood with Dave Douglas and Steve Turley in third. This meant that the ‘FFlipin’ Missfits’ were the leading team overnight with ‘The Bass Tards’ in second. ‘The Better guys’ were just a point behind in third.

Sunday was as perfect an Autumn day as could be wished for, with glorious sunshine and a perfect azure sky. The wind also consented to play its part, providing, if anything, rather more than the the forecast 3 mph southerly. ‘The Good Guys’ being the last placed team overnight, were somewhat dismayed when Steve Goacher failed to appear on Sunday morning, to take the place of Mr Average in their team, particularly with Mark Somerville failing to produce the form that saw him become RS Vareo national champion recently.

The fleet started on time with Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood showing early pace and leading the fleet. Sadly the wind gradually evaporated and the Race Officer had no option but to shorten the course. Simon and Jon were unable to hold onto the lead and in the closing stages of the race, with the lake almost mirrored, John Hardisty and Terry Crumpton both slipped past to take first and second respectively.

After a break for lunch had failed to provide any improvement in the conditions racing was abandoned for the day. The final finishing order was Terry and John first;
John and Dave second and Simon and Jon in third. The ‘FFlipin’ Missfits’ took the team prize with ‘The Better Guys’ in second place.

F15 Team
Racing Champs 2012

Team Name       Sail No Boat / Helm Wtg R1   R2   R3   Tot Adj Pts Pos

Bass'tards      3973	S. Longstaff	 2    5    3    57	  
                3770	N. Platt	 9    9   13    57	3
                 3520	N. Currie	 8    2    6    57
Fflipin' Misfits3906	J. Hardisty	 3    6    1    35	
 		3940	T. Crumpton	 1    1    2    35	1
		3829	D. Douglas	 6    3   12    35
Super Markids	3695	D. Vasey	12   10   10   118	
	 	3685	S. Lee		14   12   14   118	6
		3675	L. Sainsbury	15   15   16   118
Hot Rods	3801	R. Huddleston	10    7   11	87	
 		3939	Athol King	11   13    9	87	4
		3636	Robin Jefferson	 4   17    5	87
Good Guys	3265	M. Somerville	13   11    8   115.5	
 		3477	E Guillois	16   14   15   115.5	5
		3371	Mr Average	14.5 12.5 11.5 115.5
Better Guys	3996	Mike Moore       7    4    4    52.5	
	 	3815	Ian Campbell	 5    8    7    52.5	2
		3905	Mr. Mean	 6    6    5.5  52.5

Grotty Potty

To reinforce the light nature of the competition in the F15 team racing, one of the key aspects of the prize giving is the Grotty Potty, re-awarded each year by the
previous year’s winner.

The major nominations for this year’s award all went to Bass members! Heading the list was Ian Preston for turning up totally unprepared in terms of organising the food. However, there were several people on hand, including visitors, to pick up the reins. On the grounds that Ian was not actually competing, his nomination was discarded. Next in line was our own National Champion whose lack lustre results could not even be put down to being late for the start! The winning nomination went to Neil Platt for leading most of the first race but only finishing 9th due to the vagaries of the weather, and having similar unexpected results in the following races.

It is clear that Neil has already decided next year’s winner will be John Hardisty. All he needs now is to dream up an appropriate mishap justify that decision. John is certain to oblige!

Club Weekend Racing

It was a light turnout for the final weekend series of the club championship.

With no other GPs racing on Saturday, Val/Ken raced in the handicap fleet, won both races on Saturday, and with the last race on Sunday being cancelled due to lack of wind, it meant they won the Comet Trophy! 2nd overall went to Alex/Olivia in an RS200 with a 1st and 2nd to count, while John/Janis took 3rd with a 2nd and 4th.

On Saturday, in the Toppers Harry was fully aware of the time to the start, counting down the time to his only competitor Jamie, but he was still more than 30 secs late for the start! As Jamie was the only boat to finish in either of the two Saturday races, and no Toppers sailed on Sunday, his solitary 1st position won him the series Trophy!

On Sunday there were three GPs. Paul/Vicky led the fleet, with Val/Ken 2nd. With just one race sailed, the Stables Prize was awarded to Paul/Vicky.

Another Slow Sunday

14 October, 2012

In the Bass micro climate a forecast of 5-6mph breeze was somewhat ominous, but there was a light easterly across part of the lake to get the fleets started in the final rounds of the MJM/Asymmetric Cup. However, soon after the start the wind faded and it was to be a long haul around the relatively short course. The Hardies optimistically tried to fly their gennaker, but it was soon lowered again. Shortening the race after two legs, OD AJ was getting a little nervy as slight gusts bunched the fleet as they approached the finish line for an early lunch. Though the Hallidays crossed the line first, the Hardies were close enough to beat them on handicap securing another 1st in the series. Despite capsizing(!), Banter was next to finish with Peter Ballard close on his tail, taking 3rd and 4th respectively.

Joe led the MJM fleet to the finish but Jim C beat him on handicap. Brent/Neil must have taken the scenic route as they finished 25 mins after the others!

Over lunch the sun shone on a mirrored lake and the likelihood of a race was minimal. Indeed Mike/Kayla took their boat off the water and the Bates was put on its mooring. However, within minutes a steady breeze filled in from the NE and it was action stations to get a race underway. Apart from most asymmetric boats missing out YZ, the wind dying on the final leg, and a hook finish that none of the competitors noticed, everything went swimmingly!

The Hardies took another 1st and the series overall, with the Hallidays 2nd, and Banter’s 3rd securing his 2nd overall position.

In the MJM, Joe won with Jim 2nd, but the trophy was won by Mike/Kayla

Next weekend the F15 team racing takes place alongside the final championship weekend series of the season.

October Series

What would the weather hold in store for the start of the October series this weekend? Well, it turned out to be quite a mixed bag! Although sunny and calm in the morning, the westerly breeze filled in before racing started, and held for most of the first race, by the end of which it had swung to the north, and there was a small rain shower too!

Neil/Rory were getting some practice in for next week’s F15 team racing at Bass, but were slow to realise that there was only a single start, which meant they started at least 30 secs behind the leaders (You’d think they had sailed for long enough to undertand the flag signals!). Despite their ‘casual’ start, they soon took the lead from Mike/Kayla and won the race on a fleet handicap basis. Joe sailed well in his RS300 finishing 3rd behind Mike.

Perhaps Scumper’s excuse was that he didn’t expect the race to start on time, as not many do, but he too gave the fleet a head start, not that he was able to recover his position as well as Neil had, finishing 6th.

The wind faded and there was slightly better than drifting conditions for the start of the 2nd race, but it soon swung through 180 deg to the south, and freshened a little. Jim Christie made the most of the conditions winning on the water and fleet handicap with AJ 2nd.

On a personal handicap basis, Kath/Glynis took 1st and 2nd and presently lead the series, while AJ has a 1st and a 3rd, lying 2nd overall.

Congratulations

11 October, 2012

Ethan Dawson has just been selected as one of 13 sailors for the RYA’s West Zone Squad. The squad will receive six weekends of training throughout Winter by head coach Neil Marsden.

Well done!

Autumnal October

7 October, 2012

Those that entered the Fleet Challenge C series enjoyed sunshine and a light breeze on Saturday to drive them around the courses for the three scheduled races. There were a few capsizes, several people sailing wrong courses, missing marks out, or rounding them the wrong way, and Roy the Sailing Secretary was a premature starter. Most of these mishaps were rectified, but not all!

Sunday started with a mist/fog across the lake that burnt off well before the scheduled start time, but the wind was not forthcoming. As there were very few takers it didn’t seem as if there would be any racing even if the wind did appear!

With no wind, and no takers, racing was abandoned for the day, albeit a glorious one! So the final results were as Saturday, with Val/Ken taking the honours on a personal handicap basis, with Kath/Alan 2nd (If only they hadn’t talked so much…)

Saturday Sunshine then Soggy Sunday

30 September, 2012

Sunshine, a relatively warm wind, and white horses greeted sailors for another weekend series. Though the conditions were hard work, there was some exciting reaches, and several challenging gybes (which caught out numerous boats), all adding to some close racing.

Scumper led the handicap fleet, and though Toggle did break through to lead the 2nd race for a while, Scumper took the honours in both races. Peter Ballard was squeezed out of the start line by Banter, and lost almost 50 secs in the process. He made up a lot of ground, but with only 13 secs between 2nd and 4th places he was left wondering what might have been as he finished 4th behind Jim and Toggle. In the 2nd race, the wind had eased significantly and the Vareos took the first three places – Toggle coming 2nd and Banter 3rd.

Mike/Kayla led the F15s with Ian/Lezli-Ann chasing in each race.

In the GPs Dave/Ken led but gave Mike/AJ a chance when they hit the windward mark and had to do a turn. Mike subsequently retired as strands of a shroud started to ping apart!

Wind and rain forecast. Wind and rain delivered! Too blustery for sailing so it was an early finish. If only those F15 sailors had believed the forecast they wouldn’t have left their boats on moorings overnight, and then had to get togged up to bring them ashore without even racing!

Despite best efforts no-one was able to persuade Jim to go and demonstrate whether the conditions would have been suitable for racing, but he did get a compliment from Herb when he was told that he had improved a little. Not bad for 25 years Jim thought…

Saturday’s overnight leaders, each with two firsts, instantly became series champions.

RS Open & RS Vareo Northern Championships

23 September, 2012

Opens Racing No Comments

After the vicissitudes of the preceding week, competitors were relieved to find that conditions were benign on the morning of the RS Open at Bassenthwaite SC. The sun shone; the sky was azure, and a pleasant F2 to 3 ruffled the waters with an inviting caress. The general consensus was, ‘Sorted!’

Unfortunately, through the course of the morning the breeze gradually evaporated. Just before the scheduled start time the breeze filled a little, and steadied, and the Race Officer elected to take the fleet afloat.

Ten boats set out to contest the RS Vareo Northern Championship, whilst the RS 200 Northern Tour event had nine entrants. The quality of both fleets was evidenced by the fact that each contained a National Champion. Mark Somerville from the home club is the recently crowned RS Vareo Champion, and Mike Saul and Meg Fletcher, from Yorkshire Dales are the reigning RS 500 Champions.

The conditions were frustrating and demanding in equal measure, both for the sailors and the Race Officer alike. When the leading Vareos reached into the windward mark with their kites flying, at the conclusion of the opening windward leg of the first race, the die had been cast. The Race Officer, proving that patience is a virtue, managed to get three races sailed in the most demanding of conditions. His timing was impeccable as the moment after the last boat had finished the last race, the wind completely evaporated and the lake mirrored.

In the Vareo fleet Mark Somerville showed his pedigree with three straight wins, but for the others consistency was to prove more elusive. Hugh Godfrey from the home club scored 6,2,3, to lie second overnight, with Mike Cowan, also from Bass, recording 3,8,2, to take third place. The first visitor was Andrew Cutting from Ullswater SC who managed a very creditable 2nd in the first race, only to fall to 6th and 9th in the next two.

In the 200 fleet it was a similar story. Overnight, Chris and Laura Pickles headed the leaderboard with a 4,1,1 score line, with Phil and Naomi Smith, from Bass, in second place with 2,2,3. Richard Whitley and Lucy Wade from Ripon were in 3rd place overall with a 1,4,4, scoreline.

On Sunday the forecast SE appeared on cue and the Race Officer took the fleets into the southerly end of the lake to take advantage of the stronger breeze. Conditions were radically different from the previous day, with the fresher breeze creating an appreciable chop running down the length of the lake. Despite a much stronger gradient breeze there were distinct holes which appeared from time to time leaving the unfortunate bobbing haplessly up and down – and going nowhere. Three races were sailed before lunch, the last in a suddenly building breeze which reached 20 or so knots on the final leeward leg, and was the cause of many capsizes.

Chris and Laura Pickles cemented their position at the front of the 200 fleet with three first places, whilst Keith Escritt and Anne Saul, also from Yorkshire Dales, prospered in the stronger breezes and moved up into second place overall, pushing Phil and Naomi Smith down into third.

In the Vareo fleet it was business as usual for Mark Somerville who cemented his overall position with two firsts and a second. A good battle was developing for the other podium places between Mike Cowan and Hugh Godfrey, with Mike coming out on top in each of the three races.

After lunch the wind had eased again and the final two races were sailed in similar conditions as had prevailed for most of the morning. Chris Pickles and Mark Somerville both sailed the first of them, ensuring victory, and then gracefully retired to let the others fight over the minor placings.

Keith Escritt and Anne Saul secured second place in the 200s with a 1st and a 3rd, with Phil and Naomi Smith finished 3rd and 4th to take third overall. Hugh Godfrey improving with every race, as he spent more time in the boat, reversed the fortunes of the morning and secured the runners up spot in the Vareo Fleet with a 2nd and a 1st, leaving Mike Cowan in a very respectable third place.


RS200 winner Chris Pickles	RS Vareo winner Mark Somerville

Baby Boom

17 September, 2012