Championship draws to a close

Having passed the autumnal equinox, and with the wind swinging to the north east, the air temperature had continued to drop, so when the sun that broke through it was welcome comfort.

There were 24 boats across three fleets competing in the final weekend series to conclude this year’s club championship. There was a light F1-2 with some mega shifts to contend with.

In the F15s Simon/Jon won both races, though in race 2 they had to work their way past Ian/Lezliann, who finished with two 2nds.

In the GPs Dave/Lynn continued with their winning form, with Alan/Sue and Val/Ken each securing a 2nd and a 3rd.

Joe wasn’t certain that being a boat length OCS at the committee boat end of the start line had been noticed until the X flag was raised, and horn sounded! Banter/Rory in a RS200 had a good lead in the first handicap race, but the fading wind on their last lap probably lost them several places. Mike/Jack in a Graduate took two wins, with Neil in a Solo, and Banter, each having a 2nd position.

Sunday was forecast to be significantly stronger, but mirror like conditions mid morning were ominous. However, we had it on good authority that there was a strong wind on the coast, and it duly made its way inland in time for racing, and it gradually increased throughout the day giving rise to some good planing conditions in the gusts.

Two races were held before the lunch break, with similar results to Saturday in the F15s and GPs, earning Simon/Jon and Dave/Lynn unassailable leads, the series’ trophies, and the opportunity to get into dry gear! After lunch, the remaining GPs raced, and AJ/Sue took a commanding lead which was almost lost to Val/Ken on the final beat. However, the overall positions after race 4 could not be changed.

The stronger winds suited Matt/Oliver in their Laser 2000, winning all three races, and the series trophy. Chris/Evie in a RS200 got a well earned 2nd and two 3rds, finishing 3rd overall behind Mike/Jack counting a 2nd and 4th.

In the slow handicap fleet, Phil/Lucy in a Mirror won the first race, and were leading the second one until their tiller broke. Alex/Sakia, also in a Mirror, won the series, with Archie in a Tera 2nd.

GNAC 2022

17 September, 2022

This year�s Great North Asymmetric Challenge boasted a fleet of more than 70 boats. The day started in bright sunshine with a wind swinging between NNW and WNW causing the OD some frustrations when setting the line.

The wind wasn�t expected to be very strong but when the gusts came through there was good planing conditions, and a few capsizes!

The wind continued to freshen throughout the afternoon.

The fast handicap fleet were, generally, a bit too eager at the starts resulting in a few UFDs. However, by race 4 it was time to bring out the black flag. Everyone was much more cautious thereafter!

After four races, sailors were ready to enjoy fish and chips before dancing the night away to live music.

The sun was hidden behind the clouds on Sunday, and the wind was generally lighter, but the large swings in direction continued!

Keen to keep the racing programme moving, the OD reintroduced the black flag after the first general recall.

The wind shifts proved challenging and there were many position changes as a result

Unfortunately the wind died at the end of race 8 so the race was abandoned.

Final results NB Separate RS400 and RS200 results are shown on same page as overall results

GNAC Winners Sam Waller and Martin Penty from Beaver

2nd overall Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman from Bass

Tinker Weekend

11 September, 2022

The Tinker Class are visiting Bass again and are being blessed with champagne sailing conditions- a southerly F3-4

Club racing is a handicap for all classes for the Tinker Trophy, with a good mix of 11 boats while some sailors are taking part in the Great North run.

There may have been low numbers sailing but there seemed to be plenty of occurrences that sailors may rather forget!

AJ sailed the wrong course
Ian trawled his kite (twice), and Lezliann was close to falling off the bow
Ken celebrated another birthday
Evie�s cap blew off just before the finish, but dad Chris was determined to finish before going back to retrieve it! (Fortunately he won the race on handicap with a minute to spare)

Chris/Evie led the fleet across the finish line in both of Sunday’s races, securing a 1st and 3rd. The lighter conditions after lunch suited the GPs, with Val/Ken 1st and AJ/Sue 2nd, a position that, in conjunction with his Saturday results, earned him the Tinker Trophy, with Ian/Lezliann 2nd.

Sad News

8 September, 2022

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time

God save King Charles III

Sunday Racing

5 September, 2022

Racing No Comments

On Sunday we had Hugh & Tog (Solos) and Paul (Radial) on the water. With a southerly, OD Alastair (with enough of Claire�s cake aboard to sink a committee boat!) set a course from B to 7 then going 5-0-B. Wind was SW so Sale Fell area was averted but Tog strayed into that area and just made it to the start! After a couple of laps the wind died again and Tog nearly lost his lead sailing in reverse for a while.

Race 2 was a pennant and was held back to back on a course which avoided Sale Fell. The battle between the Solos was intense and approaching the final wing mark it could have gone either way. But a better rounding allowed Hugh to gain five lengths and take the win.

Meanwhile Paul was in all sorts of trouble his boom having parted company with the mast and it looked as if he would end up going down the Derwent before a temporary fix allowed him to broad reach back to the line and get a finish.

DW etc latest results

RNLI Pennant results

August Bank Holiday

27 August, 2022

Championship Racing No Comments

The final bank holiday of the year started with some extended camping nights and kids splash and fun on Friday.

Main racing started on Saturday afternoon with a couple of races in a long series. Though there lots of sunshine, there was little wind throughout the morning, and a light sea breeze appeared in time for racing. Over the four fleets, there was a great turnout with more than 30 boats racing. Unusually in club racing, there was a general recall for thr handicap fleet, so they were pushed to the back of the start sequence.

In the GPs, Val/Ken held off Dave/Lynn for the first lap, but it was downhill from there, with Dave/Lynn winning both races. Ian/Lezli-Ann won both F15 races, and Alex/Saskia both slow handicap races. Consequently all the winners lead their series overall.

In the fast handicap, Rob Cook in his Phantom was beaten by Robbie D in a Solo in the 1st race, but he won the 2nd race with Scumper 2nd, and presently leads the series.

DW etc latest results

Sunday’s forecast was for light winds, and it struggled to offer that. Despite another sunny morning, even a sea breeze was elusive so racing was cancelled for the day.

Next best option – rounders!

Monday was more overcast, but with a similar forecast of a light breeze from the ESE. However, the wind filled in from the S, so racing was able to get underway just after the scheduled time with a beat up to 7.

Towards the end of the race the wind eased, and swung around Skiddaw to the ESE, casting a shadow over the course, and elongating the finish for many!

Fearful that the wind would fade totally if there was a break for lunch, a hint of a breeze coming down the lake again was sufficient for the OD to start a second and final race. Indeed, the wind filled in for the best racing conditions of the day, with dead runs and, some good planing reaches.

Final results (when available)

Sunday Surprise

14 August, 2022

After a busy Saturday hosting the triathlon, sailing was scheduled to return to normal, but the fantastic weather/heatwave is often accompanied by high pressure and little wind, so a matching forecast was no surprise.

However a few sailors had spotted wind on the webcam and turned up keen to race. The rostered OD perhaps hadn�t looked at the webcam�

At the risk of it being a short term katabatic wind that would disappear, a stand in OD was quickly found, and racing was soon underway.

Before the end of the race a 2nd stand in OD was in place, and the wind had started to ease. Keen to attempt the 2nd race before the wind disappeared, and so that Neil would be home for the football, it was held immediately but on a short course. The wind filled in briefly after the start but soon faded so one 15 minute lap proved to be appropriate timing!

Dawson Trophy etc latest results

Banana Stakes results

Lessons from the day if using an SUP

motor boats make waves
if not confident on a SUP be prepared to kneel/sit if there are unexpected waves
use a waterproof pouch for non waterproof valuables
have a change of clothing available

Weekend Roundup

22 July, 2022

Championship Racing No Comments

��Twas the weekend before Bass Week. The heatwave is but a memory, and the schools have finished for Summer. The clouds have moved in, and there are plenty of white horses on the lake due to a southerly F3-4.

In the first race of the weekend series, there were nine starters split across the handicap and GP fleets. Though Ian in his Solo decided one lap was enough, the others all finished without capsizing. Banter/Oscar in a RS200 lost their lead to Joe when they rounded the final mark of the first lap the wrong way, and had to unwind their mistake.

Banter was a little early on the start of race 2, squeezed off the port end of the line, and had to gybe round, capsizing in the process!

In the GPs Dave/Lynn won both races, with Val/Ken 2nd, while it was Alex/Saskia in a Mirror that won both races from Zefer in a Laser on handicap (just 13 secs apart in race 1).

The blustery forecast of F4 gusting 6 for Sunday didn�t look too daunting from the shore, so the main three contenders in the handicap fleet opted to race! Despite the wind freshening, all three stayed out and completed the course. Banter/Oscar and Joe both capsized during the race, and Alex/Saskia capsized on their way back to shore.

With no appetite for more racing, the series was complete. Alex/Saskia won with three bullets, Joe 2nd overall, and Banter/Oscar 3rd

NWJTT and RS Tera Northerns 2022

16 July, 2022

Opens Racing No Comments

There was blue skies and a light westerly wind for an excellent turnout of 68 boats on the first day of the NW Junior Traveller Trophy and RS Tera northern area championship.

Three races were sailed back to back, with only two boats OCS. The wind varied in strength as it came through in waves during the afternoon, with some boats managing to enjoy brief planing conditions.

Jacob Bennett in a Laser from Glossop led overall overnight with two wins, with Alex Horsman from Glossop 2nd. Max Rawlinson from Roa Island was lying 3rd overall and lead Tera.

Sunday started with grey skies following overnight rain, and a wind that wouldn’t settle for the scheduled 1030 start. However, it came in from the south as forecast, and racing was underway shortly after 1100.

Both fleets had clean starts and some good racing in F1-2 winds. However, as the wind veered slightly towards the end of the race, Sale Fell cast a shadow over the windward mark slowing boats on their final lap.

The wind continued to veer, finally coming from the north, a full 180degrees from the original, and forecast, direction!

The fleets went ashore for an early lunch and waited for the wind to fill in again.

A sea breeze resolved things and the final race started about 1430 with a good F2-3 enabling some planing, and causing a few capsizes. Champagne sailing conditions to finish an excellent weekend’s racing!

Despite the slow final lap in race 4 affecting their finishing position, overnight leaders Jacob and Alex were able to discard the result and finished the weekend overall as 1st and 2nd respectively, with Arthur Baker from Derwent Reservoir in his Optimist 3rd.

The Tera Sport Northerns was won by Thomas Whitehead from Filey, with brother Daniel 2nd. The Tera Pro Northerns was won by Matthew Somerville from Bassenthwaite, with Max Rawlinson from Roa Island 2nd