It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the peaceful passing of Keith Longstaff earlier today.
Keith has been a long standing member of the club. Having started sailing in GPs he moved on to race with Herb Telford in Flying 15s – what a partnership that was!
Our thoughts are with Simon, Sue, Kim and their families at this sad time.
Keith’s funeral will be held at 11am Saturday 7th May at Crosscanonby church
Saturday started with sunshine and an unexpected SE breeze for the two race Celebrity Glass Pursuit series. Over 30 boats started the first race over a 46 minute start sequence, with the Reekie’s sandwiching the fleet (James in an Optimist being in the first start and John in a 49er in the last start), during which the wind eased, then picked up at John’s start.
The conditions helped James in his Optimist maintain the lead to the start of what turned out to be the final beat when he was caught by Naomi in a Mirror. However, the wind faded and it ended up that the whole fleet, bar two, were on the same leg when the shorten course signal was sounded (perfect handicapping?). Matty in his Tera mastered the light winds only to be pipped to the finishing line by a matter of seconds by Rob in a Phantom, with Naomi 3rd.
The challenging final beat put many off sailing another race, but seven showed interest, so the OD set another start line only for the wind to fill in from the NE, so the line was moved, course set, and racing got underway before the wind swung again! Fortunately, the wind held for the full race which Chris/Evie led throughout, though on handicap it was won by Dave/Lynn in their GP, followed by Mike/Jack in a Graduate.
Overall, Dave/Lynn beat Chris/Evie by one point, with Mike/Jack 3rd
Final results Celebrity Glass Pursuit
Clear skies and a mild southerly greeted sailors on Sunday morning for the start of the first championship weekend series of the season.
Some sailors were just starting their racing season and found the position of some hard to grasp!…
Throughout the course of the day there were numerous hard beats to mark 7 where the wind strength, and swell, increased as it funnelled through the narrows, several capsizes, a couple of boats OCS, some great reaches, and some close racing to boot. After three hard races many sailors knew they would be sleeping well that night!
Over the 40 boats racing the overnight leaders were Neil/Rory in the F15s, Rob in a Phantom in the Handicap fleet, Dave/Lynn in the GPS, and Phil/Oliver in a Mirror in the Slow Handicap fleet
By Monday morning, the clouds had moved in, the winds eased, and swung to the west.
As the morning race progressed the wind came back in, but without the swell of Sunday afternoon. There were some good spinnaker reaches, a few capsizes (and that was just Shunty!), and some shifty conditions on the beats to contend with, as well as a lap more than many appreciated, or were used to!
One final race after lunch was held in slightly lighter, but sunnier conditions, and topped off a great weekend.
Overall the winners were Neil/Rory with the Easterly Trophy in the F15s, Joe with the Easter Trophy in the Handicap fleet, Dave /Lynn with the Bass Tankard in the GPs, and Phil/Oliver MT Image Trophy in the slow handicap fleet.
A good NW breeze greeted sailors for the start of the MJM series, with a few white horses to boot.
Although there were no capsizes, of the 14 starters in the MJM series, the wind proved too much for a couple of the younger helms who retired after the first beat. The wind eased throughout the afternoon, and as it swung it helped some boats gain positions. A failed kicking strap led to AJ/Sue retiring in the last race.
The first race was won by John/Jack in their GP, followed by Phil/Lucy in a Mirror. Joe won the next race in his Laser, with John in a Solo 2nd. Joe leads overall, with Mike/Jack in a Graduate 2nd.
Clear blue skies and a SE breeze on Sunday morning seemed to echo the results of a katabatic wind but, fortunately, the wind neither faded, nor swung significantly, throughout the day for the select group of seven boats that raced.
John/Jack mistimed their start, and tacked round, allowing the other two GPs to get away. It was the second lap before John passed AJ/Sue who failed to cover John’s route up the right hand side of the beat!
In the Handicap fleet, Mike/Jack sailed well in their Graduate to get two 1sts, and take the lead in the series, while Neil C, and AJ each secured a 2nd. Neil G had to retire after his clew outhaul unhooked itself!
Saturday had plenty of sunshine, but the wind was bitter when a cloud passed through.
There had been little wind during the morning training, but it filled in a little from the SE before the afternoon race, though most sailors were caught out when the OD set a course and started the sequence despite a wind shadow in the start area. The wind had backed substantially to the east when it filled in shortly after the boat that had launched early started the race.
Gayle’s first start in her Solo didn’t go to plan – capsizing on the start line (and wishing she had repaired her drysuit a bit earlier!).
The line was moved for the next race as the wind had backed further to the NE. The start line was busier this time, and there were two boats OCS, though only one returned to restart.
Heading to mark 3 in a NE wind is typically challenging, and today was no different, especially as on the second lap the wind eased for 10 mins, so, with the wind filling from the right hand side, there were places to be gained.
After two races, AJ/Sue lead the GP fleet from James/Jenny, with Nigel/Glenys 3rd
In the handicap fleet the new partnership of Mike and Jack in a Graduate secured a 1st and 4th, placing them 2nd behind Robbie D in a Solo who had a 2nd and 1st.
Matty won in his Tera from brother Cameron in the first race to lead the series.
On Sunday the sun was being much more evasive, and despite the wind swinging regularly (as ever),� brought the best wind of the season needing sailors to hike out, though there were no capsizes.
The morning race was the start of another long series, and after lunch there was a pennant race in aid of The Eric Twiname Trust in which female crews’ results count towards Sandra’s Salver.
Angus/Mike had a good first beat in their F15, but could not maintain their lead over Neil/Rory also in a F15, while AJ/Sue proved that spinnakers aren’t very effective in the water, and had some chasing to do to get past Nigel/Glenys. However, it was Matt/Oliver in their Laser 2000 that mastered the conditions to win the pennant, with Joe in his Laser 2nd.
Saskia leads the series for Sandra’s Salver, with Sue 2nd
Eric Twiname Trust pennant results
Many congratulations go to Ant and Penny Woodyer who have just celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss!
A sunny morning had numerous boats ready and raring to get the season underway, though AJ seemed to want even more time to tinker with his newly acquired GP! A lack of wind meant they had to wait until almost 2pm before there was sufficient breeze to tempt the OD on to the water.
10 boats took to the water for the Starter’s Prize and had a clean start though Chris/Chloe were initally early having misinterpreted the starting sequence.
The wind came through in waves throughout the first race, so there were a couple of lulls, but the boats kept moving. Banter/Rory in their RS400 led the fleet, but it was Matt/Oliver in their RS200 that won on handicap from Chris/Chloe in their Graduate, and Chris/Evey in their RS400.
With the wind backing to the west, the start line was moved for the next race. There may have only been six starters, but it was very busy at the starboard end of the line, and Rory had no intention of letting Tog squeeze in who had to tack round before starting. The wind was more consistent in strength, though there were swings, one of which caught out Banter on the first beat enabling Chris/Chloe to be first to the windward mark.
On handicap Chris/Chloe won, followed by Neil and Rory in Solos.
Overall, Chris/Chloe won the Starter’s Prize, withRory 2nd, and Neil 3rd.
With the new sailing season starting tomorrow, there will be a rigging day this afternoon to dust off the cobwebs and prep your boat rather than leave it the run out to the startline to find out what you have forgotten!
Also, if you don’t want to be late for the first race, remember to adjust your clocks forward by one hour for the start of British Summer Time.
Ok, so our sailing season is still around the corner, but the Bass Week team have worked out it�s about 150 days till The Craftinsure Bass Week gets into full swing, and have opened entries on Webcollect.
Don�t miss your chance to book your entry, especially caravan space which are being snapped up as quickly as ever!
Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy New Year topped up with fair winds for another fantastic sailing season!
The 70th AGM was held in the clubhouse on Sunday 5 December.
Commodore Jon Denwood thanked all who had contributed to what has been a busy, and successful season.
Key points
| Category | Before 31st March | From 1st April |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | £194 | £213 |
| Senior | £136 | £150 |
| Young Adult | £136 | £150 |
| Affiliated | £97 | £107 |
| Family | £97 | £107 |
| Junior | £60 | £66 |
| Camping | £65 | £65 |
We are sad to have learnt of the recent death of former member John Wills who lived in nearby Bassenthwaite.
John was GP club champion a mere 55 years ago, took on the roles of sailing secretary and auditor, and went on to be Commodore from 1973-74
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.