This weekend 17 boats competed in the first fleet challenge series of the year. Weather conditions were similar on both days, with a westerly F1-2 that freshened as the afternoon went on. Some of the gusts enabled great planing conditions, and resulted in a few capsizes.

On handicap, the conditions proved more suitable for the single handers with wins by Rory in his K1, Dave in a ILCA 6, and Olivia in a ILCA 4, while Neil in a ILCA 6 secured three 2nds.

Overall, Dave won with two wins and a 2nd, ahead of Neil, and AJ/Sue in their GP, who retired from the final race, 3rd.

Final results

As the schools broke up for half term, so did the weather! Rain came in overnight, and the wind built too, though the temperature remained relatively mild. The SW wind made use of Sale Fell to disturb some of the racing area.

Saturday racing was a two race series for the Mark Ninnim Memorial trophy with all classes racing together, so it was a busy start line with 27 boats. A rain shower before racing eased the wind strength for a while, but once underway it increased throughout the afternoon to F4 gusting 5. Although there were a few capsizes in the first race, the increasing wind, and gusts, led to some spectacular reaches, and many more capsizes!

Dave/Caroline in their RS400 won the first race, with Andy/Isabelle in their Mirror 2nd, and Dave in a Laser 3rd. However, rounding the leeward mark the wrong way was Dave/Caroline’s downfall in the next race, and combined with the number of boats falling foul of the increasing gusts, the F15s of Robbie D/Toggle and Rob/TBA were 1st and 2nd respectively in race 2 to finish 2nd and 3rd overall behind winners Andy/Isabelle who took 4th in the 2nd race.

Mark Ninnim Memorial final results

Sunday’s forecast baseline F4 gusting F5-6 at times proved accurate, so it was only some of the hardy asymmetric fleet, and a couple of Teras that considered the 29er a little too risky, that ventured out.

There was plenty of capsizes but hats off to those that stayed upright – Oscar in a Tera, Ian in an OK, and Neil/Archie in RS200. Only three boats took part in the 2nd race, and they all gave up by the 3rd race of the day! Overnight leaders in the asymmetric fleet are Neil/Archie, with Banter/John 2nd, while Oscar leads the slow handicap fleet.

On Monday the wind had eased slightly, and there was a few more racing. Biggest challenge for Pix was – sun cream or rain hat!

With Reekie nursing his sores, Banter reverted to the RS200 with Oscar, and they had some great racing with Pix/Evie, only spoilt by various capsizes – not that they were the only ones to be caught out by some of the slam dunk gusts. Two races back to back enabled an early finish, and avoided the forecast persistent rain showers.

Overall Neil/Archie took the honours in the asymmetric fleet, with Pix/Evie 2nd, and Alex/Ben in their RS400 3rd.

Olivia in ILCA 4 sailed well and won the first race in the handicap fleet but was unable to recover from a capsize before the next start. Dave in ILCA 6 won the next race, and the series.

In the slow handicap fleet, Bean/Oliver had two wins, but James in a Tera sailed well and won the series with three 2nds.

Final results

With a better wind in the Scarness narrows, various sailors were keen to make use of it on Saturday in the Asymmetric Cup/MJM series. With clear blue skies, and 20C temperature, the champagne conditions brought out 23 boats.

Though the wind freshened as the course was being determined, it would not last, and faded to a drift by the end of the first race.

James/Jenny were on the port end at the start of the first race, tacked on to port, crossed the fleet and never looked back, securing 1st place ahead of Oliver in his Tera. Ian in his Solo was 3rd.

While waiting for some tail enders to finish, many of the fleet started to head ashore, then the wind filled in sufficiently for most to return to the start area. With the wind remaining fickle a short windward/leeward course was set for the MJM fleet, and a longer one for the asymmetrics.

The wind was light at the start, and the asymmetrics got away cleanly, but with the wind filling in 30 seconds before the MJM start the fleet powered up and all bar four boats were OCS, none of which reacted to the single recall signal!

The wind faded again so one lap was sufficient to bring the race to an early conclusion. By the time the final two Teras finished, the wind had swung through 180 degrees and filled in, the final beat became a run, and William pipped Andrew to the line, winning the race!

In the asymmetrics John/Banter in RS400 won both races ahead of Oscar/James in a 29er, and lead the series.

AJ/Sue lead the MJM series, with Val/Ken 2nd.

Latest results

Sunday started with more champagne sailing conditions, with the wind blowing from a southerly direction, though the wind strength turned out to be somewhat fickle again. The numbers sailing were reduced, with only two fleets racing.

Over the lunch break the wind seemed to bed in somewhat, and there was an interest in racing around the lake for the afternoon race. With concerns as to whether the wind would hold, and with Andrew racing his Tera in the main handicap fleet, the course was cautiously set to mark 10. This proved somewhat fortuitous, especially as the wind eased after the leaders had passed through Scarness, though it did strengthen again a short while later. When the leaders were back in the bay, the wind started to swing around to the NW, slowing progress, and turning the final reach into a beat for some!

In the GPs, Val/Ken lead the series having won both races, while Julian/Jane and AJ/Sue each had a 2nd and a 3rd.

Leader of the handicap series Banter/John in their RS400 won the morning race but had to make do with a 3rd after lunch when James/Oscar in their 29er stepped up a gear on the downwind leg to finish 1 min ahead on handicap. However, new member Artur in an Aero sailed brilliantly to beat both asymmetrics by over 2 mins on handicap.

Latest results

The sailors of the inaugural night jar of the season were greeted with a light SE which started to die as the sailors were rigging up. This was followed by a SW over the club which held a steady 5-8 knots over the evening. 

The race team of James Reekie and Ant set a simple triangle and proceedings got underway. The RS400 of John and Phil stretched into the distance to a dominant win possibly due to the conditions. Last year’s crown holders were second. Rory and Andrew had a good race in the feva after some brotherly jostling with Oscar during which some suspect rules may have been broken but the post race debrief could not apportion blame accurately.

Barbara set up a dinner for the competitors which was well received. 

To allow some dinner numbers to be planned and ease its organisation the following WhatsApp group has been created. Participating sailors wanting food are requested to join the above group by pressing the link.

Latest results