The final two races counting towards the 2011 club championship were scheduled for Saturday. The forecast winds were similar to those forecast last week – the exception being that the forecast seemed more realistic winds winds in the high teens mph gusting high 30s mph!

Ruth opted to put her foot down before the boat was even uncovered, though having seen the conditions, Steve was mutually agreeable to going on rescue duty instead of sailing.

A bit like Noah’s Ark, the fleets got ready in pairs – Two F15s, two Supernovas and two Vareos. Even before the starting sequence got underway the F15s were heading back to shore, Ian/Lexli-Ann due to the ferocious gusts, and Ian Macpherson/Elaine Fairlamb due to gear failure. That left Jim Christie and Peter Ballard raring to go, though both had several capsizes before the start. The Vareos were more cautious, and only Scumper opted to take to the water as the starting sequence was underway. Peter took an early lead, but Scumper did work his way past, and despite various capsizes made his way through to the finish. The Supernovas were flattened by various squally gusts and eventually retired.

Herb’s quote of the day was ‘at least it’s kept dry’ – well it was true up to that point in time and then the drizzle came through and soaked everyone before the last boat was retrieved.

Not even Jim seemed keen to venture out for another race, so the series came to an early conclusion with Joan/Jack Hardie holding on to their winning position despite not sailing!

The wind was forecast to ease a little for Sunday’s final races in the MJM/Asymmetric Cup, and it did! With a brighter day, there was a much better turnout of a dozen boats.

With some stronger gusts at times, most (well Neil survived) of the single handers were caught out at some point, especially on the various gybe marks.

In the Asymmetrc Cup only Scumper and Banter Phil were contending, they each capsized from time to time, but Scumper took another two wins and strengthened his lead in the series, with Toggle finishing 2nd and Phil 3rd overall.

As Mike/Eric were tussling with Lasers most of the race, first Tom Gosden, and then Ian Macpherson, Mike won overall in the morning race, with Ian 2nd, and Ethan Dawson in his Topper a strong 3rd. Peter Ballard and Jim Christie were again duelling, with Jim taking a defensive covering action at one stage, only for Peter to pass beneath him, then Jim got caught in irons as he tacked away for clear airs. By the time he was moving properly again, Peter was well out of sight!

In the afternoon, Val/Ken took an early lead but flying their spinnaker on the bottom reach proved to be their downfall, as Mike/Eric thought better of it and were able to sail through to the lead to windward.

Though Tom beat Ian on the water this time, on handicap, Mike/Eric secured another win.

Overall, Mike/Kayla kept the lead in the series with Peter 2nd.

With these races over, the year’s list of prize winners is being compiled in time for the the annual prize giving dinner dance in November.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not too surprising for our micro climate) the winds, and gusts were not as strong as the forecast and so another two races were sailed in the Asymmetric Cup and MJM Trophy.

Before the first race Neil Garrison demonstrated a taste of things to come by capsizing his Dart, and after another capsize halfway through the first lap Neil retired. Mike/Kayla revelled in the heavier winds leading the rest of the fleet with Ian/Lezli-Ann trying their best to give chase, while Tim/Ian tried their best to stay upright (they almost succeeded!). All other finishers were slowed by various capsizes in the blustery conditions, but recognition again goes to Ethan Dawson for opting to sail, and finishing, a second lap after suffering several capsizes.

In the afternoon race, gusts were not so vicious quite so often, but there were still various capsizes. Ian got a brilliant starboard end start, but Mike took the lead by the end of the first beat. At the other end of the spectrum, Jim Christie had the worst start, getting into irons but staying upright helped him work his way back through the fleet finishing 4th on handicap behind the F15s. Peter Ballard got his mast in the mud for a while and finally managed to limp across the finish line due to a problem with his mainsheet.

There was just Scumper and Toggle in the Asymmetric Cup, and each had their fair share of capsizes, but Scumper mastered the conditions and took another two wins strengthening his lead in the series.

As for the heading yawwwn – I’m sure they’ll all sleep well after a hard day’s racing!

A drizzly, damp day with light winds were the order of the day for the first couple of races in the October Series which is for all classes and sailed on a personal and fleet handicap basis.

Mik Chappell got clean off the start line in the first race and sailed well to finish 3rd on fleet handicap. Although Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson were first to the windward mark, Ethan/Robin Dawson took the best line down to the next mark, took the lead, and there was no way Ethan was going to let go of it. He went on to win the race on fleet and personal handicap! Ian stayed on Ethan’s tail, and despite opening old wounds by hitting his head on the spinnaker pole in the same place s last week, finished 2nd on fleet handicap.

In the next race, the drizzle eased and the wind freshened a little. This time Ethan was to-ing and fro-ing with John/Janis Halliday, though on handicap Ethan again won both races. The F15s had numerous place changes also, with Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson taking 2nd on fleet handicap from Ian Campbell.

While the rest of the country basked in what turned out to be the hottest October day, Bassenthwaite was less fortunate – it was warm and muggy but more overcast and not a lot of wind.

Numerous sailors took advantage of some RYA coaching being held over the weekend, all being filmed and replayed at the end of the day. On Saturday Steve Hunt arrived early to figure out how to set up his new Merlin Rocket, and plenty of people took the time to watch him – especially as there was little wind which disappeared totally resulting in racing being abandoned for the day.

Sunday was damp and miserable, but a good sailing breeze and attracted a fleet of 17 boats for the three remaining races of the weekend fleet challenge series.

In the first race, Bean/Naomi in RS200 led the fleet taking 1st place. Steve/Ruth in new Merlin were 2nd on the water, but beaten by Mike/Kayla in F15. Steve/Ruth led the next two races, winning them both, as well as the series trophy. In race 2 Tom Gosden in a Laser kept to Mike/Kayla’s tail beating them on handicap. While in race 3, occasional sailor Stuart Brookes had a good tussle with Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson, both in F15s, beating Ian by just 10 secs to take 2nd place. Mike/Kayla’s finished 2nd overall with 5pts, and Tom Gosden 3rd with 6pts.

Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, Stuart Brookes took three firsts and the trophy, while Alistair Duncan, fresh from the RYA coaching, sailed a Laser, had a 2nd and 3rd, finished 2nd overall.� Mike/Kayla had 10 points to count, as did Steve/Ruth, but their 3rd position split the tie in their favour.

Fleets are racing in a championship weekend series.

A reasonable breeze greeted boats on Saturday, and there was some close racing. In the F15s, Simon Longstaff/Jon Denwood pipped Ian Campbell/Lezli-Ann Pearson at the post in the first race. Neil Platt, who lost his spinnaker halyard while renewing it, missed the first race but was ready for the next race which he won from Simon Longstaff.

In the GPs, Val/Ken Bell had two straight wins ahead of Kath Davis/Glenys Kett.

Mike Cowan and Jim Christie had some close racing and each ended up with a 1st and 2nd. Peter Ballard had two 3rds.

In the Mirrors, John Telford had two wins, but Mik Chappell and Alan Waugh each shared a 2nd and a 3rd. With no Mirrors out on Sunday, John wins with Alan 2nd.

Sunday racing was rather casual despite the ODs best efforts to get started on time. The light wind, and no wind on shore were somewhat contributory!

After a wet week, and with high winds imminent for the weekend, this week’s Night Jar was perhaps the calm before the storm as the airs were relatively light and racing was brought to a relatively early conclusion after only 30 mins sailing. It was Joan/Jack Hardie in their RS200 that took the honours on fleet handicap, with Alan Jones/Sue Watson in a GP coming in a strong 2nd ahead of Neil Garrison in his Laser. Joan/Jack lead the FH series.

Calculating the results on a personal handicap basis, swapped the lead two boats and gave Alan the lead in the PH series.