Sam’s Heading High
Sam Hall’s received a letter from Simon Wergan, the RYA youth racing manager, inviting him to join the GBR transition training programme. Transition training is a year long programme which aims to support the most talented junior sailors to make a successful transition into the national youth squad.
He wishes to thank everyone at Bassenthwaite who has helped, encouraged and supported him in any way, and he intends to make the most of this great opportunity.
Sunday Update
The light winds from the south made things seem like there was a pleasant sail ahead. Although William and Elaine were able to pull away on the beat from the single handers, the single handers benefitted on the runs. However, after completing two laps in 40 mins OD Mike Moore let William sail on (as Alan Waugh in his mirror had just started his second lap) but shortly after the wind faded and it was to be another 50 mins before William completed the next lap. To be fair Mike made the rest of the handicap fleet endure the conditions, but it was to be the lasers that gained with Robbie D coming in just 5 mins after William to take first overall
The wind faded through the lunch break but did fill in from the SW. Due to the light winds the Banana Stakes pennant race was just sailed down to mark 10 and back. A shadow on the lake around 7 bunched the fleet up on the way down the lake. William in an RS400, Rory in a Vareo and Val in a GP were the three lead boats that broke away. With the race being calculated on a personal handicap basis, it was Val that won, followed by Rory then William. Mik Chappell came in a notable 4th overall
RS200 Open
Bassenthwaite is today holding its first RS200 open meeting. It’s a glorious day, but only a light wind. There are 19 competitors.
The light and variable conditions made it difficult not only for the competitors� but the OD as well who had to change the line of the windward/leeward course for each race. This was not helped by the wind swinging around Sale Fell and giving two different winds for the beat in one of the races.
As ever, the best was saved till last in that the sea breeze came in and held to give good sailing conditions. The racing has been close at the front end of the fleet but Mike Saul and Meg Fletcher from Yorkshire Dales worked their way up the fleet a place per lap to win the final race and series overall
Our local heroes consisted of Andy and Emma Smith who were able to count a 2nd and 3rd to finish 5th overall
RS 200 Open
Overall
| Rank | SailNo | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Total | Nett | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1277 | Mike Saul | Meg Fletcher | Yorkshire Dales | 1.0 | (3.0) | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 6.0 | |
| 2nd | 979 | Graham Tinsley | Caroline Fox | Budworth SC | 2.0 | (5.0) | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 13.0 | 8.0 | |
| 3rd | 1199 | Stephen Graham | Danielle Graham | Burwain SC | 7.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | (12.0) | 4.0 | 26.0 | 14.0 | |
| 4th | 1296 | Chris Pickles | Laura Westell | Delph SC | 6.0 | 4.0 | (9.0) | 2.0 | 3.0 | 24.0 | 15.0 | |
| 5th | 1003 | Andy Smith | Emma Smith | Bass SC | 3.0 | 2.0 | (8.0) | 4.0 | 6.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | |
| 6th | 762 | James Ricketts | Susan Ricketts | Ripon SC | 4.0 | 8.0 | (15.0) | 8.0 | 5.0 | 40.0 | 25.0 | |
| 7th | 691 | Phil Smith | Naomi Darling | Bass SC | 5.0 | (16.0) | 6.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 42.0 | 26.0 | |
| 8th | 1036 | Martin Parker | Liam Parker | Leigh & Lowton | 10.0 | 7.0 | (13.0) | 6.0 | 7.0 | 43.0 | 30.0 | |
| 9th | 876 | Keith Escritt | Anne Saul | Yorkshire Dales SC | 8.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | (11.0) | 8.0 | 42.0 | 31.0 | |
| 10th | 913 | Joan Hardie | Jack Hardie | Bass SC | (DNF) | 6.0 | 10.0 | 14.0 | 12.0 | 61.0 | 42.0 | |
| 11th | 799 | Jon Chapman | Deb Sutcliffe | Budworth SC | 12.0 | (DSQ) | 14.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 61.0 | 42.0 | |
| 12th | 1015 | Wayne Fletcher | Deb Fletcher | Scaling Dam | 9.0 | 12.0 | 11.0 | 10.0 | (DNC) | 61.0 | 42.0 | |
| 13th | 821 | Ross Crook | Andrea Bailey | Budworth SC | (14.0) | 11.0 | 12.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 | 59.0 | 45.0 | |
| 14th | 1150 | Simon Davis | Gemma Davis | Upper Thames SC | 11.0 | 13.0 | 4.0 | (DNC) | DNC | 66.0 | 47.0 | |
| 15th | 915 | Sam Thompson | Nikki Stewart | Wigtown Bay | 16.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | (DNC) | DNC | 70.0 | 51.0 | |
| 16th | 574 | Philip Benn | Pippa Fletcher | Ripon SC | 13.0 | 14.0 | (18.0) | 15.0 | 11.0 | 71.0 | 53.0 | |
| 17th | 748 | Matt Bromley | Andrea Morgan | Budworth SC | 15.0 | 15.0 | 16.0 | (DNF) | 14.0 | 79.0 | 60.0 | |
| 18th | 1135 | David Hopkins | Patrick Manning | Delph SC | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 13.0 | (DNC) | 83.0 | 64.0 |
Club racing comprised a pursuit race and long championship series. In the pursuit race, the course was set to suit a southerly breeze but with the wind swinging around� Sale Fell there was a shadow hanging over the windward mark, and the S and SW winds tended to fight each other, giving little opportunity for the later starters to catch up. With the committee boat opting to take the easy option and sit on station for the finish there was some confusion by less experienced sailors as to how they should finish and in fact they never made it!
In the second race, the sea breeze came in and turned the main beat into a fetch
Notable moment of the day must go to Commodore Shunty who managed to capsize briefly at the windward mark – well that was bad enough, but after righting, the boat went over again and into the mud requiring a pull out of the mud by son Chris, and of course the odd shriek of laughter from wife Elaine as she and William passed Steve and Ruth
Tinker Rally
Tinker Rally
What a beautiful morning – very few clouds, with a patchy breeze sufficient for the Tinker fleet to enjoy an early 1030 start
By the time club racing started the wind had filled in from the SE, and the course allowed some good planing on starboard tack, but not always on port! Robbie D and Andy Smith were both sailing lasers and trying to persuade the OD to have a course that preferably had no beats! Ruth Critchley ventured out with Mike for her first sail/race in an FF.
The wind held for the afternoon racing and the beats were even longer – from 2 – 7! (Just for Robin and Andy?). There were again some good reaches, a bit challenging at times, especially for Judith Currie, but she survived them! The final race was to be the decider for the trophy between Mike Moore and Val Bell, but it was her consistent sailing, and finishing second to Neil, that secured the Tinker Trophy for her and Ken
The Tinkers had an enjoyable rally, although their fleet was slightly depleted this year with just 12 boats, but the weather and conditions were probably the best they’d enjoyed at Bass for several years. David Warren secured the overall trophy yet again, and no doubt he’ll be back next year to defend it
Saturday: Adverse weather strikes again! This time drizzle with little wind – it makes a change for the Tinkers as they have recently suffered from too much wind at this event. How things change! By the time the racing started the drizzle had passed through, the wind picked up slightly, and the afternoon turned out nice for a pleasant sail.
William and Elaine in an RS400 failed to shake off and break away from Mike and Kayla in a FF, on the two long runs, but it was Val and Ken in their GP that took the honours on handicap in the first race
Mike was called back for being over the line in the second race but was soon back in contention, sufficient to ‘stuff Val’ (as he put it) at the windward mark. Robin Dawson sailed well in his laser to take the lead for a couple of legs and went on to win the race just 14 secs ahead of Mike. Val finished 3rd to take overnight lead
Clever So and So
Bass Week legend/ pain in the bum (Not my words!), Alan Roberts has just won the under 18s in the Enterprise Junior Nationals and came third overall. Who has he been lying about his age to – us or them?!
Well done
September Storms
Saturday: Not a good forecast. Flood warnings. High gusting winds. Rain
The wild conditions in the morning were sufficient to postpone the taster session, but the Youth Squad duly turned up for their 1pm race. The five competitors all took to the water, and all capsized. The race was started twice, but eventually abandoned
As for the main racing, the weather remained uninviting, but 10 boats ventured out and braved the autumnal weather. Although William and Elaine put up a fight at times, Steve and Ruth took advantage of the gusts to get ahead, but kept giving William a chance by capsizing (was he trying to preserve his handicap?) albeit briefly.
Mark Ninnim and Rob Smith sailed well in their Enterprise and may have won all three races on personal handicap if they hadn’t capsized in the second race. It seems that Ian Macpherson was mastering the conditions and is in a good position in the series having secured a first and two seconds.
Tomorrow’s forecast for the conclusion of this six race series is less blustery and dry, but only time will tell what the conditions will actually be
Sunday seemed like a different day. The rain had passed through and the wind seemed so light that we were unlikely to get the chance of a plane. However, the wind was forecast to pick up a little. There were even patches of blue sky!
The final three races of the fleet challenge. How would things fare today?
The wind did come, but in fits and starts, occasionally planing conditions, but usually when boats were on the beat! Was the OD just looking the other way at the start as several boats thought they were over the line but there was no recall, so they got away with it.
Despite an adjustment of handicaps, the overnight leaders had sufficient standing to see them through the day, so congratulations go to Mark Ninnim and Rob Smith
Nappy Times!
Congratulations to Mark and Kirstie Somerville on the much awaited birth of a son, Matthew Lawrie, and first grandchild for John and Wendy…and then there were two!
Also, congratulations go to Lesley and Andrew Drummond on the birth of their daughter Iona Alice – all doing well
Two in a week! Any more to report?
Waiting for Wind
Though the forecast is for a gentle breeze, the mirror-like water does not give us much hope!
Perhaps it would have been better if the wind had stayed away because the drizzle came down as the OD tried to determine where to set the course. He seemed to take Albert’s view of Let the B***ers Go to try and make sure a race was held. Unfortunately the wind had swung and the windward leeward course ended up without a beat. Interestingly at 2, several boats tacked with the gennakers flying!
Over lunch the rain bedded in and the wind faded. No more racing for today!
Flags or Signals?
Light winds and sunshine was forecast – didn’t really get much of either! The sun did come out from time to time, and there was a pleasant light breeze before the start, but an over eager handicap fleet (or was it the commodore?!) led to a general recall for which two sound signals were heard but no sign of the flag! Just as well everyone knows what was meant. However, the delay caused by the restart resulted in the slight breeze that was there faded. Shunty and Ruth were first to the windward mark, followed by Neil and Judith and both boats continued to open up their lead for the rest of the race while William and Elaine fought with Robbie D in his laser for best of the zephyrs that trickled across the lake from time to time
Surprisingly the fleet headed out for the second race, but, as it turned out, the wind filled in, was light but did hold. The short, simple triangle of a course worked well and safeguarded against the wind dying again