Easter Saturday, sunshine, and the first day of club racing provided a perfect combination to get more than 20 boats racing.

The morning started with 21 boats out for a junior cadet training session in some light winds.

The wind remained light for the afternoon racing, and it was variable in strength, and shifty to boot, so racing was confined to the NW corner of the lake to try and stay in the wind.

The first start was busy and had two boats OCS. The shifty winds proved to be challenging, and towards the end of the second race, the wind faded to mirror like conditions bringing back memories of years gone by. Although the easing wind benefitted the juniors as they were first to be finished when the course was shortened, Scumper had a large enough lead in his RS100 to take his second win of the day, and win the series overall.

The main thing is that we�re back on the water. Good times!

Overall results for Starter�s Prize

Sunday was somewhat different – overcast, colder, plenty of wind which was forecast to increase, and a smaller selection of more hardy sailors!

With conditions liable to be less inviting, two races were sailed back to back, with the third race to be sailed after a lunch break for those that were up for it. Racing was close, and somewhat dependent on mistakes/capsizes, of which there were several, in the gusty and shifting conditions. In the GPs, Dave/Lynn and John/Jack each had a win, as did Scumper and Robbie D in the Handicap fleet.

When the lunch break started, sailors opted to pack up their boats rather than snack in the warmth of their cars before having to venture back out again.

Latest results Blencathra Trophy etc

Monday’s forecast was less favourable but the Bassenthwaite micro-climate offered clear blue skies, with a bitterly cold wind, but sailable conditions. However, with only one GP and and RS400 prepared to sail, racing was cancelled for the day.

If the Government’s roadmap continues as planned, you could be back on the water by the end of the month, although racing is not scheduled to start until Easter Saturday 3 April. The sailing programme is available on this website, and everyone allocated with OD, or rescue, duties should have received notifications within the last few days. If your allocated duty needs to be changed due to other commitments, please use the links on DutyMan to arrange a swap.

After so many weeks of lockdown, it’s time to stop procrastinating and get your boat prepared for the season.

Don’t forget to log each and every visit using the menu link above.

Happy sailing!

Very best wishes for 2021, and hopefully a return to a full and enjoyable racing season

The 69th Annual General Meeting was held online on Sunday 6th December 2020

Naomi opened the meeting by thanking everyone that had helped during her time as Commodore, and especially those that had helped manage the club during this exceptionally challenging season.

The following members were elected on to Council.

Commodore – Jon Denwood
Secretary – Pauline Nicholson
Treasurer – Mike Cave
Sailing Secretary – Phil Smith
Rear Commodore – Naomi Smith
Asst Sailing Secretary – Alastair Duncan
Boats & Buoys – Alex Leonard
Grounds & Jetties – Mark Somerville
Membership – Joe Roberts
PRO – Paul Allen
Training – Anthony Woodyer
Safety – Robin Dawson
Social – Joanna Van Lachterop

Fleet Captains
Flying 15 – Simon Longstaff�
GP14 – Mike Fairlamb
Mirror – Mik Chappell
Handicap – Izzy Hunter
Laser – Paul Gannon

The following roles are vacant and all expressions of interest would be greatly appreciated, just get in touch with Jon

• Vice Commodore
• Bar
• Galley
• House

It was agreed that subscriptions for current members would renew at 2020 rates, with a small increase for new members after 1st April.

To encourage junior racing, the sailing instructions will be amended such that, when all boats are in a single race, juniors/cadets may be shortened, and get results, without shortening the whole race.

A password protected members’ website will be introduced for member specific information.

A vote of thanks was given to Naomi for all her efforts during what has proved to be an exceptionally challenging season.

After a wet and windy morning, the forecast was for the wind to ease, and it did! (Not that AJ believed it would). Eight boats took to the water.

Dave/Lynn got the best flying start and were first to the windward mark. Scumper caught them up on the next reach, and pulled away. There were some planing reaches early on, but the wind continued to ease throughout the afternoon, perhaps reflecting the changing fortunes in the results, where Scumper had a clear win in the first race but dropping to 5th in the second one. However, Dave was more consistent taking 2nd and 1st places respectively.�

Saturday series latest results�

On Sunday the forecast was for gusty conditions, and more sailors appeared to be taking heed as AJ was the first and only boat to be rigged until, that is, Barbara appeared and he eagerly offered to help her rig her boat. His explanation as to why he offered to help Barbara but not Neil G was, embarrassingly, overheard by Barbara while she was in the toilet…

As the fleet of three headed out, the wind picked up. Barbara was caught out by a gust, and capsized, then struggled to right it. AJ/Sue and Neil G did start, but Neil came back to check on Barbara, then retired. The OD was in a benevolent mood (or did he want to get home for lunch?), and shortened the race for AJ at the end of the first lap. Although Andy T turned up for a sail, no one else was up for another race, which brought the series to an end with Val/Ken the victors, and AJ/Sue a close 2nd

Autumn Sunday series final results

 

Not only are we at the end of British Summer Time, so clocks will go back by one hour on Sunday morning, but, with the current high winds, there is plenty of rain around, and it is forecast to continue well into next week with the likelihood that the lake will flood.

Please consider whether your boat will be safe on the foreshore, and avoid any last minute rescuing in the forthcoming dark evenings.

A cold ENE breeze blew throughout Saturday afternoon, accompanied by occasional lulls, and numerous swings in direction.

Shifts just before the start led to a starboard biased line (or was it just poorly set?!) and a premature starter who duly returned. Scumper in his RS100 led both races, while Joan/Jack in a GP showed the way for a while.

The bulk of the fleet of 18 boats were reasonably well bunched, and places were prone to change frequently.

Nigel caused havoc just before the start of the second race when he came into a group of starboard boats whilst on port. Bumps were heard, and turns were soon completed…

Autumn Saturday series Latest results

Sunday started with a reasonable SE breeze much to the surprise of many. However the onset of rain in Keswick seemed to kill the wind as the rain moved closer to the northern racing bay. Fortunately it was just a temporary lull, and the wind came back stronger than before.

Val/Ken were on a roll and pulling away from the fleet. Neil Garrison was on such a good lift he missed the gate but eventually looked behind, saw what was happening, and returned to go through it.

Several helms opted out of the second race, probably so they could warm up. Those that remained had some close racing. Neil Garrison was on better form, and spent most of the race fighting AJ/Sue for lead boat, while Val�s first beat had them down the pan, she nibbled away to take the lead by the end of the second main beat, but racing remained close down to the leeward mark where AJ was on her tail (and she wasn�t certain how NeilG would get in the way. Anyway she kept her nerve and held the lead up the final short beat to the finish.

Autumn Sunday series latest results

Saturday�s clouds were slowly cast aside as the afternoon progressed, and there was numerous spells when the sun broke through to give some warmth in the F2-3 wind. The conditions were perfect to attract out some of the cadets that been practicing in the morning.

There was a great fleet of 21 boats competing for the Autumn Saturday series.

There was plenty of shifts to keep sailors on their toes, some of which caused resulted in various capsizes, but there was excellent planing conditions from time to time as well.

For a while, Val/Ken gave Dave/Lynn a run for their money, but a gust just after gybing their kite caught Val out slightly , while Dave took the advantage and passed them. Although Scumper led throughout during both races, his lead wasn�t sufficient to beat Dave who took two wins, with Scumper 2nd, and Joe 3rd.

Autumn Saturday series latest results

A sunny, clear Saturday evening continued through into Sunday morning but there was no wind. The various zephyrs that appeared soon disappeared again. It seemed there were two competing winds. Just after noon, the forecast NW breeze took control so everyone took to the water for a start just before 1pm.

The wind kept swinging between W and NW, causing some light areas on the leg from 1 to 0. AJ lost a lot of ground when he couldn�t lay 0, then had to tack in very light airs to round it. Dave/Lynn broke away to take a strong lead and win the first race.

A sea breeze bedded in by the end of the first race so the line was repositioned, then the race started.

Mike Fairlamb seemed to be banging a corner on the first beat, then he looked round to see the rest of the fleet heading in another direction, and realised he was on the wrong course!

Though the wind eased slightly, it held through to the end of the race. Again, Dave led the way, adding another win. It was the Solos that were runners up in both races, with Neil and Rory each taking a 2nd position, and Val getting a 3rd. Neil didn’t sail the final race (as he left to celebrate his mum’s birthday!), but he still leads the series.

Autumn Sunday series latest results