The Youth Squad have again had some dedicated races, but could be better attended.
Although Ethan mastered the conditions on Saturday, he found his match against Robin Crawley in Sunday’s racing. Despite this, Ethan leads the Sunday series, while Luke Howarth is leading the Saturday series
A gentle breeze with various gusts at times led to a pleasant morning’s racing. The wind in the afternoon eased as the race went on, but it was still reasonable racing conditions. The close racing at the front of each fleet led to the series results being dependent on the last race, so they had everything to sail for.
Mike and Eric secured two more wins to take the series from Paul Bowmer.
Robbie D and Scumper again shared wins in the handicap fleet, but Robbie’s win in the afternoon won him the series.
Similarly, Telf and Andy had some close racing but, Andy’s afternoon win gave him the series.
Des Wright, Ken West, Emma Smith, Ellen and Jamie Kerr, Jordan and Arnie Helling enjoyed a race training day with Pete Robinson from the RYA. The wind was gusty and many enjoyed the warm water of the lake, but everyone agreed they had learned many simple techniques and learned more about the rules to help them gain confidence to start racing. Pete coached them on the water and finished the day with some short races. Next RYA Training Day is in September. Keep a look out for the date
The morning gusts had eased by the time racing started but there was still a good sailing breeze to keep the sailors happy. A shift in the wind took resulted in a somewhat biased beat for a while, but such is Bass!
Neil and Judith Currie were tempted back on to the water by the lighter airs, but at one stage Judith missed her toestraps and was dragged along with the boat as she clung on to her jib sheet. Neil soon had her back in the boat and they continued with the race. Scumper and Robbie D with Big E each had a win on handicap. Jim Christie lost his rig when a U bolt gave way, but no real damage done.
Gary Mansell fought his fears and went out for a brief sail with William in the RS400. One beat was enough as a taster but he will be back for more….
While Andy Smith waits for his new GP, he took to the water to give Telf, Mik and Alan a run for their money in the Mirror fleet. Telf and Andy each had a win a piece
Kayla went out in Mike F15 with Tom – each thought the other was helming! Anyway, they had a pleasant sail and no incidents.
In the GPs Mike and Eric shared the honours with Paul Bowmer and his wife, with Paul taking overnight lead.
Overall some close racing across all of the fleets. The series concludes tomorrow.
Sam Hall was sailing at Coniston on Saturday where he secured a hat trick of wins and received a £15 prize.
The wind seemed unexpectedly light when sailors turned up, but as the start time arrived, the wind picked up and the rain moved in – it was relentless until lunchtime. There were light patches, and William with Jo Watkins managed to find them on the single spinnaker reach of the course, but there were strong gusts from time to time too.
Although Neil Garrison in his Dart finished first on the water, it was Scumper in his Vareo that won on handicap from Jim Christie.
During lunch the wind freshened, and led to some more exciting reaches at times, but the shadow of Sale Fell still had its effect on racing and progress. William and Jo led the handicap, but they were beaten by Jim Christie in his Supernova on handicap. Scumper despite a couple of capsizes, held on to his position but was going to retire due to damage to his spinnaker pole, however he opted to wait for the shorten course signal. Little did he realise he would have to wait until the lead boat completed their lap some 10 mins later before the signal was sounded!
Although Mike beat Tim in the F15 fleet in both races, he did have to sneak past Tim in a lull going to mark 5 as Tim had mastered the first beat and gained a solid lead much to Mike’s dismay (or was it surprise?)
As the hosepipe ban continues, the lake is filling up – not because water is being saved but due to the amount of rain!!
The day started windy with intermittent showers, but the wind eased during the prolonged start sequence for the pursuit race! The lack of Mirrors meant the other fleets had an undue wait. Even with the long wait, Scumper managed to be several minutes late in his Vareo. Mike and Kayla quickly broke away and won the race with Tim and Ian 2nd.
The 2nd race was fleet racing – no-one in either fleet was particularly pushing hard for the start line! Scumper had a clear win from Jim Christie in the handicap fleet, while Mike beat Tim in the F15s.
Many congratulations to vice commodore Stephen Kirkpatrick and his wife Claire following the birth of their daughter Georgina Elizabeth, a sister for Henry and Thomas, who weighed in at 7lb11oz on Tuesday evening. Mother and baby doing well.
Well done to Emily for guessing it would be a girl called Elizabeth!
Despite there being strong winds all around, the conditions were unexpectedly sailable. However, there were not many takers, presumably because of the poor forecast.
Mike and Kayla led the fleet, followed by Toggle in his Vareo, but Mike and Eric kept on the pace and were never far behind. On handicap Mike’s F15 beat the Mike’s GP.
In the afternoon race, the course had a couple of reaches that proved exhilarating when the gusts came through. Joe Watkins, thinking the wind had eased over lunch, opted to take out the Laser with a full rig, which proved a little too much on occasions as he had several capsizes, but carried on to the finish.
This time it was Mike Cowan that was in close contention with Mike Moore. Mike Moore held his position on handicap and leads the series overall.
As the hosepipe ban kicks in in some parts of the county, the rain came down. However, for a change, at least it was warm rain!
The winds were blustery all afternoon, but the straightforward triangular course led to some exciting sailing, some very hairy gybes, and several capsizes.
In the handicap fleet, Steve and Ruth in the Merlin finished 1st on the water and on handicap from Scumper in his Vareo. In the second race, Steve got off to a good start, but a wineglass spinnaker led to a capsize and his demise. William and Elaine in an RS400 finished 1st on the water but were beaten on handicap by Scumper.
In the F15s, Mike and Kayla won the 1st race from Tim and Ian. Ian had a better start in the 2nd race, and was leading when Mike retired when a fairlead pulled out.
Mike and Eric led the GPs, but a nosedive capsize led to their demise and Tim and Martin winning the race.
John Telford beat Mik Chappell in both of the Mirror races.
Scumper topped the chart in the capsize stakes with four capsizes, all well recovered from. Mike Fairlamb was sort of next having struggled to right his boat after capsizing taking down the spinnaker, he capsized another couple of times before limping home to shore. Then Steve was next with a couple of capsizes – both deliberate he claimed!!
Although it should be sunny tomorrow, higher winds are forecast again, so will we get any races in?
A healthy fleet of 25 boats took part in this year’s NW Area championship. The wind conditions will have been challenging for some competitors, and as they were forecast to increase on Sunday an additional race was sailed on Saturday.
Andrew Green from Leigh & Lowton SC sailed consistently to secure four wins and the overnight lead from James Asquith from Redesmere SC.
As expected, the forecast gales came in, with various showers, and racing was cancelled on Sunday leaving the results as the overnight position. Congratulations to Andrew Green on his clear win.