Sam Hall travelled to West Lancs S C on Saturday for the final event in the North West Junior Travellers Series. Due to the gale force conditions the event was cancelled. However, Sam had already gained enough points to win the Travellers Series.He collected his trophy, for the second year running, plus other prizes.
A bit of wind (well a lot!) topped up with rain was enough to put off all helms other than Jim Christie on Saturday. However, stand in OD Robbie D made an early call to cancel racing for the day.
Sunday has started with a glorious morning, and the wind started to fill in, with the hope that it would continue to do so up to the forecast 10mph
The wind did fill in a little more, but unexpectedly it came from the NW, so the start line was adjusted and the course set. However, as the race went on the wind swung more to the south resulting in more of a fetch expecially for the asymmetric fleet which were sailing a windward leeward course! Rory Yardley in his Vareo took best advantage of the conditions to win the morning race from Jack and Joan Hardie in their RS200 by a couple of secs/lap. Mike Moore and Ian Macpherson in a F15 beat Tim Knowles and Martin Statter in a GP by a good margin to win the MJM morning race.
The only tales to tell were during the afternoon race. First of all Roy Blackburn’s had a slight problem with his new acquisition of a Vareo when the main sail came down. Secondly, Alan Nicholson had a prolonged capsize after getting his mast in the mud. Results were again close in the afternoon but this time Robbie D and Big E in an RS400 beat Rory in his Vareo and won the Asymmetric Cup. Mike Moore again beat Tim Knowles but by just 4 secs/lap and secured the MJM Trophy.
The big question is whether the Times and Star story about Ken and Val winning the Tinker Trophy will stick – should we now know them as the Tinker Bells?!
At The GP Inlands at Derwent Reservoir Dave and Lynn Lawson finished 12th, with Rich and Phil Hodgkins finishing 13th
Saturday’s forecast light westerly breeze came in on cue, together with some afternoon sunshine resulting in� a pleasant afternoon’s sailing. The gusts that came through were patchy and Robbie D and Big E kept being caught up by William and Ruth, but it was the GPs that benefited from the conditions and Val and Ken Bell continued their form from last weekend to take two firsts in the Tinker Trophy (not that there was a Tinker in sight as they, of course, were here last weekend!). The results were close though, as there was just 8 secs separating 5 boats in the first race.
The was supposed to be similar today, but it freshened from time to time. This time Robbie D broke away and won with over one minute lead per lap from Val. Her 2nd place was enough to ensure no-one could beat her overall in the 4th and final race of the series.
The wind was similar for the final race and Robbie D again mastered the conditions to win by a min/lap but this time it was from Scumper in his Laser, with Val 3rd. Overall a good turnout of 22 boats over the course of the weekend series. Hopefully this won’t change and put Val off her dancing this week!!
With over a month since Bass Week came to an end you should have had time to recover by now! We have sent out emails to most entrants that gave us their details so they can give us some feedback. If you were there could you spare 5 minutes to complete the online questionnaire so that we can take views into account when preparing for next year’s regatta. As a bit of encouragement, there will be a �25 Bass Week voucher for the 25th, 50th and 75th completed form received. However, you are welcome to submit the form anonymously if you so wish. For being quick off the mark, Rich Critchley will get a free cocktail for sending the first form. (Sorry Judith – beaten this year!) Many thanks for being part of this year’s event, and we hope you enjoyed it enough to tell your friends and come back next year! If you didn’t enjoy it, then please tell us! Very best wishes for the rest of the sailing season.
This weekend we hosted as RS200 alongside a Tinker Travellers open, as well as a fleet challenge for club members.
On Saturday the wind was light, and initially did not come from the forecast SW direction. Drizzle came in unexpectedly, but passed through
The wind did freshen slightly from the forecast direction, but would it hold for the rest of the afternoon? Although it eased for a while, fortunately it did pick up again just before the start of the final race which seemed as it was going to be dire because the rain had started to fall. Val Bell took a clean sweep of all three races before rushing off to a 90th birthday party!
Some early morning mist on Sunday should have been a hint of things to come – no wind! However, it did fill in late morning, then eased, but came back and settled down. However, the sun shone, and it turned out to be an excellent day’s racing.
Julian and Robert Cruickshank had a good start in the 5th race and managed to fend off Val and Ken Bell despite only flying their spinnaker on one leg, but it won’t stop Val taking the trophy.
Val must have burnt Ken out as she sailed the final race in her Solo. Honours in the final race went to Alan Nicholson with Val 2nd
In the RS200s the delayed start due to lack of wind meant there would only be 7 races sailed out of the 8 scheduled. Chris Pickles and Laura Westell from Delph sailed consistently to have a clear win with 6 points (five races to count). Phil and Naomi Smith were top Bass boat finishing 7th overall.
RS200 Open – Overall Results
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| RS200 winners Chris Pickles and Laura Westell |
Tinker winner David Warren |
 Herb is celebrating his 78th birthday on Thursday and seems proud for everyone to know. As official starter he’ll be down again at the weekend braving the elements (and in his element of course!). Congratulations!This weekend there willbe a multitude of visitors – RS200s and the Tinker Association. There will be club racing too although it may be quieter than usual as the Southport 24 hour race is being held too |
Or should it be nein, nein, nein? Perhaps that could be read as 999, or should it be 09/09/09? If so it’s a day for saying yes, yes, yes especially in Sarah Nicholson’s case as she chose this special day to get married on.
Many congratulations!!
Sarah and husband Martin Wilkinson seen here following their wedding in Venice.
The happy couple, who are now on their honeymoon in Sicily, would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, cards and gifts and look forward to thanking everyone in person on their return.
Quite a lot of people returned their RNLI quiz papers which were being sold during Bass Week and everyone had done really well. There were quite a few who tied with 95/100. Our own sailing club member Carol Thomas had 97 but the winner, with a total of 98, was Mrs J Kelly of Ennerdale Avenue Workington. She will receive �25.
A profit of �86 has been sent to the RNLI Workington station. Click for the questions and answers
Thanks to all who contributed
Patricia A Smith
Rory and Toggle have been trying their skills in the Nationals last week at Southampton and they finished in the top half of the fleet with a 16th and 17th respectively in a fleet of 38 boats. If only Tog had kept his head on when leading he would have remembered to pass through the start/finish line and not been disqualified!! Bet he’s pulling his hair out.! Oh just remembered, he ain’t got any to pull 🙁
The forecast was for a north easterly and that’s what came through, and it freshened as the morning went on. There were comments that the wind was shifty, and that seemed to help keep the racing tight, but it was all to the good and everyone enjoyed the sail. A couple of boats from the youth squad capsized, but quickly righted themselves.
The afternoon race was the Banana Stakes, typically sailed around the lake. Due to the lighter winds the course just went as far as mark 10, but the NE winds resulted in a lack of a beat and the fleets kept close together. In addition, it was held on a personal handicap basis. Although Neil Garrison sailed well away in his Dart, it was to be Julian and Robert Cruikshank that took the honours. Robbie D tried his hand in Ethan’s Topper (with a full rig though) and he was well and truly stuffed!
The race counted towards Sandra’s Salver, and it seems that both the main contenders for this year’s award are suffering from back problems! Having survived yesterday’s sail without too much extra pain, Elaine made a special effort to sail the race as she has been lying low from sailing for a couple of months due to back pain. Her main contender, Sue Watson unfortunately hurt her back on Sunday morning before going out with Mike Turner. She was all dressed for sailing but unable to get on the water. So it will be down to the wire – one more pennant to race and all to sail for if they can make it!