Another good turnout of 15 boats for the Thursday evening race. Neil/Judith Currie led the fleet in their RS400, followed by Joan/Jack Hardie in an RS200, but it was Dave/Lynn Lawson in a GP that won on fleet handicap, having gained a large lead from the rest of the GPs.

Alan Jones continues to make good use of his personal handicap, securing another win in the version of the personal handicap series, and a strong lead overall. Nigel Lewis did not finish the race, but holds on to his 2nd position.

A drizzly start to the day cleared before the sailors started to rig their boats, but then came back during racing! William and Lesley in an RS400 led the handicap fleet and made use of the occasional gusts to get a clear lead sufficient to win the race from Joan and Jack Hardie in their RS200 by 1.5 mins on corrected time. The next couple of results were much closer with Toggle in a Vareo being just 10 secs behind, followed by Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson in a F15 20 secs later. Phil Davenport practised his capsize technique at a windward mark – anything to get a mention?

Dave and Lynn again led the way in the GPs from Mike/Eric with Alan Nicholson/Sue Watson 3rd.

The afternoon pennant race went as far around the lake as the insitu marks would allow! With wind from the SW, Sale Fell had its inimitable effect on the winds south of Scarness. Tim/Ian led the fleet round the course, but on handicap, it was Dave/Lynn that won, followed by Mike/Eric

These results counted towards Sandra’s Salver for lady crews. Although Lynn Lawson took first position, Sue Watson’s 2nd, together with her results in the first qualifying race was sufficient for her to head the leader board.

The temperature has dropped, the wind still has a dangerous kick to it, and to top it there are showers passing through!

It didn’t stop 11 boats taking to the water though. Some sailors had a bit more use of it than they would like due to capsizes such as Alan Jones who was taken unawares by a gust when on a dead run – next thing he knew he was trying to right his boat. When he got ashore he needed to give his sail a wash having dipped it in the lake mud! Toggle had a day of being the bridesmaid, coming 2nd to Jo Watkins in his Laser Radial who secured a strong lead of a minute in the 1st race, and 2nd to Tim Chittenden/Ian Macpherson in a F15 by only 3 secs in the 2nd race. Jo’s results gives him a 5 point lead over Peter Ballard.

Results in the GP fleet were consistent with Dave/Lynn Lawson winning both races from Tim Knowles/Martin Statter and Mike Fairlamb/Eric Smith, and strengthening his lead in the series from Mike.

Alistair Duncan had a fortunate escape when he realised that the banging noises were strands of a shroud snapping! He was able to get ashore before the complete shroud gave way which would have probably led to a broken mast.

The forecast suggests it could be more of the same tomorrow…

Fortunately the forecast was incorrect, and racing did take place with a good turnout of 16 boats which takes the total number of entrants in the series up to 25.

Dave and Lynn Lawson took a strong lead on fleet handicap from Mik Chappell, while Alan Jones won on personal handicap from Nigel Lewis, with Mik 3rd. Alan is leading the personal handicap series.

Val and Ken Bell lead the fleet handicap series from Tim Knowles and Martin Statter

A slightly quieter evening on the lake. Joan and Jack Hardie in an RS200 won on fleet handicap with a strong lead from Val and Ken Bell in a GP. Joan and Jack’s lead was sufficient for them to win the race on a personal handicap basis as well, albeit on a reduced margin from Nigel Lewis in his GP.

The Night Jar series got off to a flying start a week late, after being cancelled due to lack of wind last week. There was a good turnout of 13 boats. Alex Leonard and Olivia Storey in a 29er led the fleet on the water but Alan Jones in his Laser won the race on personal handicap, while Mike Fairlamb and Eric Smith in a GP notched up the first win in the series on a fleet handicap basis.

With higher winds forecast to move in, it could prove to be one of the best sails of the weekend. Only time will tell..

After the damp miserable race yesterday, the sun is shining, the wind filled in and there has bee a great turnout of boats for the two day weekend series.

Robbie D led the handicap fleet in his Skiff, until he capsized at least! Neil and Judith Currie took the lead in their RS400 and went on to win, beating Mr and Mrs Bean by 1sec.

In the F15s, Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood led the fleet, with Graham Kirkpatrick and Alan Smith coming second.

Andy and Rob Smith gave Dave and Lynn Lawson a good race in the GPs.

The afternoon race proved even better sailing as the wind freshened with the sea breeze – that doesn’t mean to say it wasn’t challenging! Robbie D stuffed his chances with a major capsize before the start which had him stuck in the mud as the race started. He did work his way back up the fleet of 22 boats but tipped in again at the penultimate mark.

Simon and Jon again won the F15s with Mike and Sally taking second place.

Andy and Dave again had some close racing with Dave winning and taking overnight lead.

In the Mirrors the Commodore was giving Mik a good race, and there was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing though Stephen did win the race.

Sunday greeted everyone with another bright morning, the forecast Northerly appeared, though it seemed to fight with other forces at times! – perhaps the reason why those, led by Mr and Mrs Bean, that took the right hand side of the course had a good lead at the end of the first beat. However, it didn’t end there, the breeze came through in pockets, and from differing directions, and there were various position changes depending on who was in the right place at the right time. One notable gain being that of Graham and Alan in their F15 taking the lead from Simon and Jon when the wind filled in from behind on a run in the final 10 mins of the race.

The afternoon breeze settled in (in a fashion) and the OD set a course with a short lap incorporating a tight spinnaker reach which proved challenging for some crews.

Mr and Mrs Bean having won the handicap fleet series, did not compete, but Scumper won the race from Steve and Ruth to take 2nd and 4th respectively.

Although Graham and Alan took the lead in the F15s, their chances of winning the series were scuppered when they had to do turns. Mike and Sally took their first win of the weekend in the F15s finishing 3rd overall. The series was won by Simon and Jon with Graham and Alan 2nd.

Dave and Lynn again had some close racing with Andy and Rob in the GPs, but carried home another win and the series trophy.

In the Mirrors, John Telford secured his second win of the day and, as there were only three races sailed, the series trophy with Commodore Stephen Kirkpatrick coming second.

What a lovely way to enjoy a bank holiday, which was topped off with the with the annual egg dump postponed from yesterday. With 64 eggs across numerous contestants, there was the usual banter amongst those playing, not quite tears shed, but nearly! Match recorder Dave Lawson somehow managed to have two eggs in the semi final, guaranteeing him at least one place in the final which was to be against visitor Erin Daniels who took the lion’s share of the winnings!

With a total of 41 entrants in the various series, it has been a busy and testing weekend on the water.