Sam Hall at West Lancs YC receiving the Overall North West Junior Travellers series trophy.
Also won a £50 voucher and a bag full of goodies.
(A couple of more years and he be filling that trophy with ale perhaps!)
Sam Hall at West Lancs YC receiving the Overall North West Junior Travellers series trophy.
Also won a £50 voucher and a bag full of goodies.
(A couple of more years and he be filling that trophy with ale perhaps!)
Saturday’s horrendous forecast was right! Wind and rain was probably the cause of a lack of interest and competitors. OD Toggle was ready and raring to go (home), but that was it. Shortly after the due start time he raised N over A and that was it, racing cancelled for the day
Sunday could be a better day – we hope! Can you spot the difference?


The wind and rain passed through overnight, with sunshine, but no wind, the view of the lake was as good as it gets
The wind was due to fill in from the north, but whether it would come in time the sailors just had to wait and see
Surprisingly, they didn’t have to wait long. The wind filled in from the north as forecast, although a swinging wind meant the windward leeward course was a bit of a fetch for one of the laps. Shunty and Ruth headed for 3 instead of 2 on the first beat putting them back into 4th place, but worked their way back through the fleet to finish 2nd behind Robbie D and Toggle who were making a guest appearance in Roy’s RS400
Mike Moore and Kayla sailed into a big lead ahead of Alan Nicholson and Sam Hall
The wind was due to freshen, but there was the expectation that racing would be over by the time it did. The wind did hold but not particularly strengthen. There were some significant shifts to contend with, together with holes that swallowed up parts of the fleets.
Julian Cruickshank in a GP worked his way through one of the holes so well that he got to the front of the fleet and beat Mike Moore on the water! Also, the Mirrors both did well with Mik Chappell securing 2nd and Alan Waugh a formidable 3rd.
The last race in both series was the qualifying race for both Robbie D in the Asymmetric fleet and Mike Moore in the MJM series. Mike’s wallowing in the hole cost him the opportunity of winning the series which went to Sam Hall. Robbie D had a poor first beat but worked his way back to 2nd overall to snatch the series from Joan and Jack Hardie
Next week the Flying 15 team racing is being held alongside club racing for the October Series
The wind freshened as the afternoon went on to give a pleasant sail, though the curve on the wind always seem to benefit those to windward.
In the mirrors there was a dead heat in the first race and some very close racing in the second, though Toddy lost his nerve on the final beat to the finish and Mik sneaked through.
Val and Ken Bell continued their winning streak to take two firsts from Mike and Elaine Fairlamb, and Dave and Sarah Nicholson – all a bit of a family affair?!
In the Handicap fleet William with Neil Garrison crewing put up a valiant fight until the final reach when Scumper and Robbie D broke through for their second win of the day. When the results were calculated, Scumper had beaten Mike by just 3 secs pushing William into 3rd place
The forecast wasn’t for much wind and it was right – the lake looked glorious. Shame it was mirror like. Perhaps the slight breeze at the southern end would work its way into the northern bay. Then again…..The wind came, and went, and came back in again from about the forecast westerly direction and racing got underway about 1pm after some glorious sunshine. As the race went on the wind strengthened slightly such that the afternoon was strong enough to sit out and plane at times. There was even the odd capsize – Robbie D capsized when he got his life jacket caught on the boom!
The GPs result was determined on the last race – a win by Mike Fairlamb and Tim Knowles gave him first overall ahead of Val and Ken Bell
Scumper’s two firsts from Saturday, plus a third for being OD kept him at the top of the handicap series from William and Cristina
All in all a pleasant weekend’s sailing
Two boats went to the RS Inlands at Rutland – Andy and Emma Smith’s best result was 5th coming 24th overall, Phil and Naomi had a 9th and finished 51st overall in a fleet of 78
Rory Yardley finished 7th in the RS Vareos while Toggle finished 11th overall in a fleet of 17 boats

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.
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
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
| 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
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
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