One of the more unusual, but one of the best enjoyed, events of the northern sailing calendar is the annual Flying Fifteen team racing weekend generously sponsored by Harper and Hebson of Carlisle.

Teams of three boats combine all their scores in four races to find the winning team so allowing for a bit of tactics as well as serious sailing in this fun event.

A fleet of boats from around the country enjoyed some excellent courses set by Andy Smith and Herb Telford and, together with mainly warm southerly winds varying from a force 1 to a stiff force 5, gave every dog the chance to have its day.

Mastering all of these conditions, Neil Platt (Liverpool) forsook his GP 14 and very creditably won three of the four races sailing a new boat with a scratch crew, Bass S.C. member Andrew Nuttall {Whitehaven), who hadn�t sailed competitively for a few years whilst away at university.

Race two was won by Tyneside�s John Hardisty, chased by Cockermouth�s Neil Currie who has just returned to sailing after a year�s lay-off with back problems. Neil was sailing Paul Wright’s boat with Paul. Just how versatile the Flying fifteen is, was demonstrated with a wide range of helms and crews. It was great to see the wily old pensioner from Loch Earn, Ian Cameron, still up there with the top boats after a long beat up Bass in a force 5 making it look all so easy. At the other end of the age spectrum young Elizabeth Donkin, who has barely reached her teens, crewed for Graham Donkin in her second open meting. Well done Elizabeth!

Socially the event was also a big hit with a meal in the clubhouse on Saturday evening. Free lunches and teas were also provided on Sunday � thanks to Linda Beattie and her band of helpers.

So, if you sail a Flying Fifteen, make a note in your diary for next year. Get yourself to Bassenthwaite where there is free camping, caravanning and lots of socials to have an excellent weekend in the Lake District at this annual event with a great prize list on offer.

NB The wind change in the first race was NOT the reason why Neil Currie finished with only one boat behind him in the first race – he just sailed ****!

�(Full prizelist)

For the last championship series of the season, the flying fifteen and laser fleet champions had already been decided, but the following places up were for grabs

2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th in the Flying 15s
2nd and 3rd in the Lasers
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th in the GP14s

The unsettled forecast proved correct and Saturday produced some steady southerly winds, dampened by a few showers. However, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the fleets. The adrenalin was also high due to some crews who had not realised that the start time was earlier then usual.

In the flying fifteen fleet, Scott Beattie (Beverly) had already won the championship, so let his crew, John Somerville (Carlisle) take the helm. William Curruthers (Carlisle) was second in the championship and could only be beaten if Mike and Christina Moore (Preston) took five first places this weekend. Unfortunately, Mike and Christina were among the latecomers and never caught the rest of the fleet in the first race. John had an excellent start and was almost first round the windward mark. However, John�s wife Wendy, sailing with Elaine Fairlamb (Deanscales) was also battling for first place at the mark. John decided he wanted his tea and Wendy led the race. Wanting to prove how good a helm he is, John never gave up and pulled back the place to win the race. In the second race, Mike and Christina led from the start, but again John pulled through to win.

In the GP14 fleet, Dave and Lynne Lawson (Kendal) needed two first places to take the title. They have been sailing superbly since the middle of the season when they joined the fleet. Mike Fairlamb (Deanscales) and Mike Cowan (Maryport) had led the championship almost from the start of the season needed one more first place to win the championship. Further down the field, only two points separated Julian and Jane Cruickshank (Bolton), Ginge and Jose Hodgkins (Brigham) and Hugh Godfrey with Rhonwen Bryce (Whitehaven). This is the closest end to the GP14 championship for a few years. In almost predictable form, Dave and Lynne led from the start in both races to take the places they needed to win the championship. Lynne has done exceptionally well considering this is her first season in a boat. Mike and Mike took a second and third place, alternating with Julian and Jane. In the strong winds, Richard and Philip Hodgkins did very well to finish the first race without capsizing and finish with a very respectable championship position.

The gales forecast on Sunday did not materialise and the officer of the day, Hugh Godfrey, did very well to avoid most of the showers during the races. The first race saw John and Scott win the fifteen series. Behind them, William sailing with Rhonwen had been in second place, but the last leg proved their downfall when several places changed and Ian Campbell (Papcastle) with Tony Fisher (Carlisle) were second over the line. John also won the fourth race, but in the final race, Ian led from the start to avoid John getting a clean sweep.

In the GP14 fleet, Dave and Lynne again proved that they are worthy champioins, although they were pursued closely for most of the last race. Mike and Mike, Julian and Jane, Tim Knowles with Philip Hodgkins (both Brigham) and Ginge and Jose were all battling closely for the other places. There was considerable tactical play with everyone trying to steal everyone else�s wind. Mike and Mike took the three second places. The last two races, although not significant for the series and club championship, did decide the handicap championship. Julian and Jane, and Ginge and Jose had identical points for the fifteen races to count. Each took a first place on handicap, so discards were taken into account and Ginge and Jose were winners.

Light winds on Saturday lead to the postponement of a race and meant an early start on Sunday for three closely fought races held in a good breeze which helped blow away cobwebs after the effects of the night before!

PN    Boat  Helm          FleetClub             1   2   3   4 Pts
 1   13671  N THOMPSON    G    CHASE            1   4   7   1   6
 2   13686  C JEFFS       G    TRIMPLEY         4   1   2   3   6
 3   13676  J JONES       G    SSSC             5   2   1   4   7
 4   12876  I PLATT       G    BOLTON           3   5   3   2   8
 5   13681  M SENIOR      G    BOLTON          26   3   8   5  16
 6   13609  N EAVES       G    BARTLEY         10   7  15   7  24
 7   13176  D LAWSON      G    BASS             2  11  12  13  25
 8   13218  M BRENNAN     G    HLSC             7   9  20  11  27
 9   12655  S GRAHAM      G    BURWAIN          6  19  18   8  32
10   13650  A ROSE        S    RWYC            14   6  13  15  33
11   13482  J TELFORD     G    BASS           RTD  21   4  14  39
12   13687  J SINCLAIR    G    WEST LANCS      16  14  28   9  39
13   13680  N BROOK       G    HOLLINGWORTH    19  13   9  26  41
14   13225  J DIXON       S    WEST KIRBY      13  10  19  18  41
15   13463  A GILKINSON   G    CASTLE SEMPLE   11  22  11  24  44
16   13678  B KENYON      G    BUDWORTH        21  25   5  22  48
17   13484  T TAYLOR      G    SOUTH STAFFS    29  15  24  10  49
18   13371  J RILEY       S    BASS            17  18  14  29  49
19   13374  P GARDNER     G    COMBS           18 DSQ   6  27  51
20   13406  G DEIGHAN     G    BOLTON          20 DSQ  25   6  51
21   13693  P OWEN        S    SOUTH STAFFS     8  23  34  21  52
22    8162  C AUBREY      G    BOLTON          27  17  17  19  53
23   13254  A GREENHALGH  S    BASS            12  16  27  28  55
24   13561  C KNOTT       S    HOLLINGWORTH    31  28  16  12  56
25   13327  M FAIRLAMB    S    BASS            24  12  33  20  56
26   13603  A DAVEY       S    BURWAIN         15  26  32  16  57
27   13515  T HARPER      G    WEST LANCS      34  27  10  25  62
28   13164  L OWEN        S    WINSFORD FLASH  36  24  23  17  64
29   13215  G KNOX        S    HOLLINGWORTH    25  34  21  23  69
30   13683  D MIDDLETON   B    BLACKPOOL & FL  38  20  22  31  73
31   13444  J SHARMAN     S    BURWAIN         22  29  29  30  80
32   13322  S TAYLOR      S    RWYC             9  38  39  40  86
33   13630  B MOSEDALE    B    WEST KIRBY      30  30  30  32  90
34   13115  J WADDINGTON  B    BOLTON          32  35  31  33  96
35   13453  P DUTTON      B    WEST KIRBY      42  31  35  36 102
36   13701  N HARRISON    B    HORBURY         28  42  42  35 105
37   13113  J CRUICKSHAN  B    BASS            33  40  37  38 108
38    6425  R MARSDEN     B    B&FYC           46 DSQ  26  37 109
39   13633  N PLATT       G    BOLTON / WEST  DSQ   8 DNS DNS 110
40   12682  E SMITH       B    BASS            41  33  36  43 110
41   13142  A HODGKINS    B    BASS            37  39  40  34 110
42   13338  A MONK        B    GLOSSOP         48  32  38  42 112
43   13340  M MITCHELL    B    WINSFORD FLASH  39  37  43  39 115
44   13075  R DIN         B    HOLLINGWORTH    35  41  41  41 117
45   13467  T KNOWLES     S    BASS            23 DNS DNS DNS 125
46   11772  D HOOK        B    WEST LANCS      40  36 DNS DNS 127
47   13013  N LEWIS       B    BASS            47  43  45  44 132
48   12220  R BALDWIN     B    WINSFORD FLASH  43  44  47  45 132
49    6642  J SHARP       B    BASS            44  45  46  47 135
50   10822  R COY         B    BASS            45 DNS  44  46 135

                              Points for RTD = 51  49  48  48
                              Points for DSQ = 51  49  48  48
                              Points for DNS = 51

 3 races to count

At last weekend’s Annandale open meeting, which included the GP14 Scottish Area Championship, it was a case of Bass came, Bass sailed and Bass conquered!

This year’s GP14 Scottish Area champions are Bass members David and Lynne Lawson, with John Telford and Andy Smith coming second. All in all a very close event that Mike Fairlamb and and Mike Cowan also had a chance of second place if only they had been behind the line at the start of the last race!

In the laser fleet Mark Somerville took pole position with Matthew Fairlamb 2nd and Ian Macpherson 3rd.

Congratulations and well done everyone.

Concerns over fuel supplies reduced the numbers of entrants from 29 to 11 for the final open meeting of the Tinker Travellers circuit.

Light winds freshened over the weekend to a force 4 by Sunday afternoon. But spirits did not seem to be dampened by Sunday’s passing showers.

Standing in on behalf of the Commodore, Herb Telford (Official starter for the weekend) aided by Carol Thomas presented the weekends prizes. Final results

1st – David Warren
2nd – Stuart Warden
3rd – Bill James

After some close racing, the wine challenge was won by David and Lynne Lawson from Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan.

Yes, although Autumn arrived on Friday, those sailors not venturing to various open meetings enjoyed clear blue skies and warm, strong winds.

In the Flying 15s, William Carruthers and Alan Smith took the lead in the first race and held off Ian Campbell and Tony Fisher, even on numerous magnificent reaches and spinnaker legs. In the second race Ian lead from the start but on the second beat William’s boom outhaul broke and made various precarious attempts to effect a tempoary repair. In so doing Ian broke away and Paul Burnell, with Margaret Trotter, got through to second place. However, Willam managed to get back into second place but was unable to break Ian’s commanding lead.

Ginge and Jose Hodgkins seemed to wear out their opposition! – In the 1st race Wendy Lewis retired, while in the 2nd race John Sharp took a cautious route, but stayed upright and finished 2nd.

These races brought another long series to a close. Overall results;

FF MORGAN TROPHY 
PN Boat Helm          1   2   3   4   5   6  Pts 
1  3268 W CARRUTHERS DNS DNS  1   1   1   2   3 
2  3560 I CAMPBELL   DNS DNS DNS DNS  2   1   9 
3  3503 D LANCASTER  DNS DNS  2   2  DNS DNS 10 
4  3273 P BURNELL    DNS DNS DNS DNS  3   3  12 
5  3473 M MOORE      DNS DNS DNS DNS DNS OD  15 
     Points for RTD = 0   0   3   3   4   4 
     Points for DSQ = 0   0   3   3   4   4 
     Points for DNS = 6 
3 races to count

GP SPRING CUP 
PN  Boat  Helm        1   2   3   4   5   6 Pts 
 1  13176 D LAWSON    1   1   1   1  DNS DNS  4 
 2  13142 A HODGKINS  4   3   5   5   1   1   9 
 3  13013 N LEWIS     6   4   6   6  DNS DNS 22 
 4   6642 J SHARP     9   5  DNS DNS DNS  2  34 
 5  13482 J TELFORD  DNS DNS  2   2  DNS DNS 40 
 6  12329 H GODFREY   3   2  DNS DNS DNS DNS 41 
 7  69916 P SMITH    DNS DNS  4   3  DNS DNS 43 
 7  13327 MiFAIRLAMB DNS DNS  3   4  DNS DNS 43 
 9  13371 J RILEY     2  RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS 48 
10   3473 M MOORE     5   7  DNS DNS DNS DNS 48 
11 988683 J ROBERTS   8   6  DNS DNS DNS DNS 50 
12  13118 M TROTTER   7   8  DNS DNS DNS DNS 51 
13 113013 W LEWIS    DNS DNS DNS DNS RTD DNS 57 
13  13467 T KNOWLES  DNS OD  DNS DNS DNS DNS 57 
15  13161 TBA        DNS DNS DNS  7  DNS DNS 61 
15   9876 R HODGKINS DNS DNS  7  DNS DNS DNS 61 
17  11679 R HODGKINS DNS DNS DNS  8  DNS DNS 62 
Points for RTD = 10 10 8 9 3 3 
Points for DSQ = 10 10 8 9 3 3 
Points for DNS = 18 
4 races to count

Although no-one seems to know the real reason behind the name for this series (suggestions to the mailbox please) it has proved to be an important turning point for the various club championships.

FLYING FIFTEEN AT CUP

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4   5 Pts
 1    3673  S BEATTIE       1   1   1   1   1   3
 2    3560  I CAMPBELL      3   2   2   5   4   7
 3    3268  W CARRUTHERS  DNS DNS   3   2   2   7
 4    3332  W SOMERVILLE    2   4   4   6   5  10
 5    3473  M MOORE         4   3   5   4   3  10
 6    3293  I PRESTON     DNS DNS DNS   3   6  18
 7     231  M PARRY        OD DNS DNS DNS DNS  21
 8    2504  K THOMAS      DNS DNS DNS   7   7  23

          Points for RTD =  5   5   6   8   8
          Points for DSQ =  5   5   6   8   8
          Points for DNS =  9

 3 races to count

The 5 firsts achieved by Scott Beattie and John Somerville were sufficient to secure the Flying 15 Club Championship with nine races to go!

GP AT CUP

PN    Boat  Helm            1   2   3   4   5 Pts
 1   13176  D LAWSON        1   1   1   1   1   3
 2   13327  MiFAIRLAMB      3   2   3   5   2   7
 3   13113  J CRUICKSHAN    6   5   2   4   3   9
 4   13254  A GREENHALGH    4   3   5   2 DNS   9
 5   13467  T KNOWLES     DNS DNS RTD   3   4  16
 6    6642  J SHARP         9   7   6   8   5  18
 7   13482  J TELFORD       2   4 DNS DNS DNS  24
 8   13142  A HODGKINS      8 RTD DNS   6 DNS  24
 9   12682  E SMITH         7   6 DNS DNS DNS  31
10   12329  H GODFREY       5 RTD DNS DNS DNS  33
11   13201  R COY         DNS DNS DNS   9   6  33
12  169106  A SMITH       DNS DNS   4 DNS DNS  40
13  143093  P LAWSON      DNS DNS DNS DNS   7  43
14   13259  W ROBERTS     DNS DNS DNS   7 DNS  43
14   13118  M TROTTER     DNS DNS   7 DNS DNS  43
16  212324  S SPENCE      DNS   8 DNS DNS DNS  44
17   11679  R HODGKINS    RTD DNS DNS DNS DNS  47

          Points for RTD = 11  10   9  10   8
          Points for DSQ = 11  10   9  10   8
          Points for DNS = 18

 3 races to count

Consistent sailing by David and Lynne Lawson took them to first position in the GP14 Club Championship. As Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan are only a point behind, the remaining races will be closely fought (if David Lawson lets anyone get near him!)

The Ross Wear Helmsman Trophy was the target for the GP fleet. A series of four races with no discard, starts being staggered according to personal handicap.

Richard Hodgkins crewed by Mike Cowan, upset his parents on Saturday by beating them! He obviously remained a threat as his handicap was such that he had to pursue his parents around the course on Sunday morning. Failing winds was not Ginge and Jose’s excuse as Richard caught them up and made them do a 720 for not giving sufficient water at a mark! No chips for Rich (as Herb put it).

The staggered start times, as usual, caused a certain element of debate as to the level of equity of the system. Three main competitors (John Sharp, Ginge and Richard Hodgkins) had equal chance of taking the Trophy. The winds eased and changed direction just after the start and made a mockery of the staggered starts, however, the changeable winds resulted in numerous position changes throughout the race.

Another win by Eric and Alan Smith did not affect the overall results as they had only sailed two races. A second place taken by Ginge and Jose was sufficient to secure their first Trophy in their short sailing career but, of course, this meant that they had taken the glory from youngest son Richard. They realise they won’t be able to keep that state of affairs up for long. John Sharp finished third and took third overall.

The flying fifteens only sailed two races, but the changing of places in the last race kept blood pressures running high. In the end, Steve Hannah and Dave Lancaster won the series with two firsts; Bill Wheeler and Pete Nuttall were second.

The Bank Holiday weekend was described by one member as fantastic, with lots of competition. Weatherwise, the weekend started misty and breezy on the Saturday, when there were two closely competed races with bottles of wine for prizes� – The Wine Challenge – with resultts being adjusted according to personal handicap.�� The winners were David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal), followed by Tim Knowles and Philip Hodgkins (Brigham), Wyn and Sally Roberts (Clapham) and Ginge and Jose Hodgkins (also Brigham) who won their very first prize! (Jose said she’d save the bottle, but there was no mention of what she intended to do with its contents!!)

On Saturday a barbeque and social evening was held, enjoyed by all.��� Sunday saw a very light wind, a shower or two, and the first three races in a five-race series for each class of boat, the series being one of fifteen counting towards the Club Championship.

On Bank Holiday Monday the last two of the five-race series were held, with nearly twenty boats on the water enjoying the sunshine and light winds. The final placings and winners were:
The Flying Free trophy for Flying Fifteens – William Carruthers (Carlisle) and Alan Smith (Harrington).
The August trophy for Lasers – Andrew Smith (Harrington).
The Aitken Cup for GP 14s – David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal).
The Mirror Mug for Mirrors – Tim Smith (Harrington) and Jack Denwood (Carlisle).

For practice, three Toppers took part in the morning race – they enjoyed it, although Jack Denwood managed to capsize as he passed the finishing line.

All in all a very enjoyable weekend, and the weather was kind, in the daylight hours anyway!

The weather was absolutely glorious throughout the weekend. There was some wind for the sailors and lots of sun for the shore crews to enjoy. Saturday racing saw the climax to a long series of races. The flying Fifteens were out in force with seven boats competiting for the Dawson Trophy. The first race saw some excitement on the start line. Mike Moore pushed Ian Campbell over the start line and also went over himself, which then meant they both had to come back over the start line as everyone else sailed ahead to the first mark. The race was eventually won by David Lancaster (Cockermouth) and Steve Hannah (Great Boughton), with W. Carruthers (Carlisle) and Ian Smith (Harrington) second. Despite the start Ian Campbell (Cockermouth) and Tony Fisher (Carlisle) came in third. The second race saw a change in fortunes with Mike Moore and Jennifer Moore (Wesham) coming first, D Lancaster and Steve Hannah second and William Carruthers and Ian Smith third. This meant the overall results for the series were first Mike Moore, second Ian Campbell and a close third for David Lancaster. The GP14 fleet had six boats competing in the final leg of the Autumn Cup. Both races were eventually dominated by David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal), but Mike Fairlamb (Deanscales) and Mike Cowan (Maryport) were fighting all the way and came second. The GP 14 field included two young sailors, Wendy Lewis (Braithwaite) sailing with her dad Nigel and Richard Hodgkins (Brigham) sailing with Rhowen Bryce (Whitehaven). Both had very good races and were very close on the finish line finishing within a few yards of each other, Wendy Lewis just managing to stay ahead of Richard Hodgkins. The final result for the Autumn Cup was Mike Fairlamb and Mike Cowan first, Ginge and Jose Hodgkins second and Tim Knowles and Philip Hodgkins (Brigham) third.

Sunday was a very warm day and it was appropriate that we should be competing for the Wine Challenge. The sun and wind ensured a great turnout with 21 boats racing for the wine. Wendy Somerville(Carlisle) and Elaine Fairlamb (Deanscales) were the worthy winners with David and Lyn Lawson (Kendal) second. William Carruthers (Carlisle) and Ian Smith (Harrington) were third.

On Thursday night the crews and ladies race was held. A strong fleet took to the water in calm conditions. This was the night the crews helmed and the helms crewed � leading to some fun on the water, �starboard� was called many times as the �learner� helms sailed a great course. The winner of the ladies race was Wendy Lewis (Braithwaite) and the crew�s race was won by Philip Hodgkins (Brigham). Well done to both of these 14 year olds.