This time we had wind! A constant force 4 Easterly. Alex set a course from 0 of B-1-0 which was deliberately short so he put up 6 laps. What he didn�t reckon on was the speed of the Musto Skiff and lap times of 5 mins! Luckily Val and Izzie were on the Bates to ensure lap recording was accurate.
When we had disentangled the port end mark we had a clean start for the somewhat depleted fleet. AJ and Sue had a good starboard end start and were second to John�s Skiff around B but Sue didn�t fly the kite on the next beam reach and Jim�s Supernova and Tony�s Solo got through, positions on the water which they held to the end.
Considering the wind strength, competitors handled the conditions well although Steve Peck / Simon Smith in the L2000 couldn�t stow the kite at 0 and continued half way to 9 before tacking for the line on lap 2.
Safety crews, of which there were several, were having an easy night until John Roberts� Pico capsized just before the final mark. He righted it but turtled again just after crossing the line!
Peter and Karen had elected not to sail so that the meal was done to a tee when crews came ashore. Results were rapidly published but your scribe had some reservations about them so see the amended ones as checked by the Sailing Secretary.
We have just learned of the sudden and unexpected death, albeit after a long fight with cancer, of former member Bob Pitt who was a keen and active member in the 1980s, sailing in the GP fleet with his wife Helen, and they regularly toured on the GP circuit.
Pete and Toni Nuttall recall sailing in the channel on a Moody 36 with Bob and Helen when the engine failed. Pete was suitably impressed by Bob’s skills at sailing the boat safely back into Gosport harbour. Fortunately there are many fond memories we all have.
Our thoughts and best wishes go to Helen and family.
On Saturday 7 May Bassenthwaite hosted a round of the RYA North West Junior Travellers Trophy.�Among the 14 sailors there were visitors from as far afield as Leigh & Lowton.�The day was much warmer than recently with sun and a nice North Easterly�F3. There were plenty of shifts and gusts to challenge the competitors, some capsizes, and much good sailing for many.
Harvey Leigh from Leigh & Lowton with Drew Gibbons were first Juniors, giving an impressive display of asymmetric sailing by winning two races in their RS Feva, and even finished 4th in the first race, despite a lengthy capsize. Special prizes were awarded to Pier Pello, Gee Moss & Walter Keegan from Sedbergh School in a 2000, for last finisher who completed all three races. Josh Hunter from Bassenthwaite was awarded the Endeavour prize for cheerfully singing his way around the course despite numerous capsizes. 1st under 14 sailor and 3rd overall was Theo Stewart in his RS Tera Sport. Top Bassenthwaite performers were Hazel Newport (Cockermouth) 2nd in the Junior Fleet in her Laser 4.7, and Ethan Dawson, 1st in the youth fleet in his laser radial.
The wind was extremely light last Thursday and it was no different for this second round. There were 13 starters and an X-shaped course 0-9-B-A. The starboard pin was alongside the Bates and Mike & Eric�s GP were luffed into the Bates. They completed a penalty turn and this dropped them back a little.
It was John�s Skiff which was first round the windward mark with Jim fairly close astern in his Supernova followed by Mike & Eric. Hazel in her Radial was trying different tactics to the rest of the fleet and it was paying off with her moving ahead of Richard in his Solo and the newly launched GP of Katherine & Glenys.
AJ & Sue retired the GP and Steve Peck and Simon Smith the L2000.
After B, it had become a run to A but John took the asymmetric course to keep the Skiff�s kite filled and lost ground to the pursuing boats which had taken a direct course. Further down the field Josh kept the Safety Crew active by capsizing his Tera but think he just fancied a swim and some capsize practice!
Then it was in to the restaurant where Neil had prepared a choice of menus and large helpings for all.
Results showed that Mike & Eric had won on FH from Jim. Richard followed in third. Tony collected a 3 for his OD role and leads both series. PH produced a tie for the win between Hazel and Richard with Kath & Glenys taking third.
On Saturday 7th May, the club will host one of the RYA NWJTT series events. There will be no club racing on Saturday. Please let Lucy Thomas or�Mike Hunter know if you are available to help in the galley or�on rescue.
There’s a busy weekend ahead as, in addition to club racing, we are holding the RS Tera Northerns and a Catapult open.
Busy is an understatement – a fleet of 35 Teras sailed two races,�then club racing took place including a fleet of 10 Catapults, followed by another two races for the Teras. Six hours on the water for the committee boat crew – no mean feat, especially for Herb (though Tog needed a comfort break)!
Although there were shifts (as ever), and Mike/Kayla would say some major shifts that enabled Ian/Lezli-Ann to move from last to 1st in a single leg (while Angus slipped from 1st �to last),fortunately, and amazingly, the general direction remained steady enough to maintain the same start line and beat all afternoon.
There were eight clean starts in the Teras (can’t say the same for the club boats), and some occasional capsizes, but there was some good racing on a dry, but cool afternoon.
Ripon sailors are topping the results overnight with Oliver Kent leading the Tera Pro fleet and Ellie Clark leading the Tera Sport fleet. [Clark and Kent – Superman effect?!]
Two more races were scheduled for Sunday, but gusting winds continued throughout the morning, even after a two hour postponement, so racing was cancelled and Saturday’s results became the final outturn.
After a lay day on Sunday due to strong winds, Monday’s forecast was not promising. However, despite a wet and windy start to the day, the wind eased, the rain stopped, and the sun forced its way through the clouds, so enthusiasm was higher, and racing got underway.
Five Catapults took to the water, and Gareth Ede led the way to win the final race of their open with three straight wins.
Small�fleets of handicap and GPs raced for the�May Holiday and Lyne Tankard trophies. There were a few capsizes, and Mike Fairlamb retired through gear failure in his Streaker, but they were glad to be back on the water, albeit in shifty and blustery conditions.
Although conditions were still sailable, there was no drive to return to the water after lunch, so the series were concluded with just one race to count, and the honours going to Scumper/Joe in the handicap fleet and Dave/Lynn in the GPs.
The chances for racing looked slim with heavy snow falling and even settling on roads leading to the Club. But it stopped before the start time.
Seven boats took to the water – and then the wind dropped! What little there was appeared to be coming from the East and Joan in the Bates set a course from upwind of 0 towards 3 with 1 and 0 following. But a 100 degree shift meant the last minute inclusion of 1 as the windward mark.
So it was a short and starboard biased line. Those at the port end lost out, particularly Mike & Eric when the GP became lodged in a particularly stubborn hole. John�s Skiff was first around the mark and also around A but then it came to a complete stop and was passed by Pete�s Laser.
By this time Owen O�Donnell from South Windermere had retired his Tera with the hope of more wind for the Northerns. Joan had decided that one lap would give a long enough race bearing in mind the conditions.
At 1 Tony�s Solo and Neil�s Radial were also in the mix but, with the wind filling from NE, Tony and John pulled out 20 seconds from Pete with the former taking line honours. Mike & Eric had got through Hazel�s Radial by the time they reached 0 but she was not to be denied and re-passed them on the way up to the line to finish two seconds ahead.
Then it was time for a roast meal cooked by Alan and Sue who had decided a warm oven was preferable to a cold lake!
Results showed Tony had taken the FH win from Pete with these positions being reversed on PH.
Good winds were forecast, good competition, good food, and lots of special birthday celebrations to enjoy!
Despite the good forecast, the winds at lake level were variable to say the least, challenging OD Andy Smith to find a mean direction to set the windward/leeward course to avoid a reach/reach situation. Taking note of the winds driving the nearby wind turbines, it seemed that WNW was a good bet for the first beat so racing was underway at the scheduled time. Of the fleet of 29 boats, there were a couple of boats over the line but they dutifully returned. The beat was maintained, despite some major shifts, but regulars Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman from Delph �in a RS400 soon took a commanding lead. Sailors did sit out at times but gusts were not really enabling planing conditions. Paul Allen from Leigh & Lowton, with Phil Hodgkins from Bass crewing, and in a RS400 as well, made up ground to finish 2nd just 2 secs behind Chris.
The wind eased soon after the start of race 2, and there was a completely different set of race leaders, with�Robin Dawson and Phil Davenport leading the fleet through to the finish, though on handicap three RS200s, led by Bass’ Phil and Naomi Smith would beat Robin on handicap.
The wind backed more to the west for race 3, with occasional stronger gusts, and Chris Pickles was again at the fore, with Phil Smith 2nd and Robin Dawson 3rd.
Race 4 started in a good breeze which shifted and faded, together with the OD’s spirits, soon after the the first beat. New wind patterns appeared from the north, but they resulted in an unfortunate reach/reach course. The RS400s mastered the conditions again, led by Chris Pickles with Commodore Mark Somerville and Joe Roberts 2nd.
With four races complete it was time to break for the evening and celebrate a couple of special Bass birthdays – Robin Dawson and Phil Hodgkins.�Can they still stand the pace and be ready to race agin in the morning? Time will tell!
Overnight leader was Chris Pickles with Phil Smith 2nd.
Sunday started with sleety showers and�no wind, but at least the forecast was suggesting there would be some wind in the afternoon, so sailors had an early lunch, then some wind filled in, although it was as variable as it has been for the last couple of weeks. The fleet split up the first beat of race 5, and those that went right lost out massively. Phil and Naomi were first to round the windward mark with Dave Exley and Paul Heath in a RS400 on their tail. Dave pulled out a good lead but was passed by Hamish Gledhill on the final run, though on handicap Phil claimed another win.
Was the wind going to steady for race 6? Well it seemed to be filling in, and racing was started in a promising breeze which promptly shifted and faded by the time the first boat reached the windward mark. The same phases of wind and shifts continued through the race which was won by Chris, with Hamish 2nd.
After a late start and no sign of a steady wind following through, the OD cancelled the two remaining races, leaving Chris and Matt winners, with Phil and Naomi runners up.
Winners Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman with Commodore’s wife Kirstie Somerville
The �1 Bring and Buy Sale, as advertised in the club handbook has now been changed to an ‘unlimited sale’. Following the article in Foxy Tales, written by Tim Chittendon, about Cumbria’s new Life Boat we want to raise as much money as possible towards the appeal.
Please turn out your cupboards for any unused, unloved or surplus items to donate to the sale. Kitchenallia; home made chutney and jams; plants and plant pots; toiletries; books, CD’s, toys, DVD’s and bric-a-brac ; handbags, scarves & jewellery; etc. etc. NO electrical goods and NO shoes and clothing other than sailing related items.
All unsold items, not reclaimed at the end of the sale, will be distributed amongst the local charity shops.
We also plan to hold a raffle for a food hamper. There will be a collection point over the bank holiday weekend for any donations towards the hamper ( hampers ? !)
Please come along and support this worthy cause. Clear out your clutter, have some fun and raise lots of money.
Stephen, this is your opportunity to find new homes for all of the unwanted, unused Disney presents that I have given you over the years!!
A cold day due to the northerly breeze but the various spells of sunshine made everyone feel so much more comfortable. Across the lake there were various snow showers from time to time. Mike came prepared for the cold weather though, he was in his wolly jumper, despite wearing it inside out and back to front!
The weekend’s racing is a fleet handicap series of five races for the MJM Trophy and Asymmetric Cup. Back from his travels, Zefer was back crewing with Scumper and somewhat tickled to discover a broom head tangled in the running gear for the wing wangs – not surprising they hadn’t been working very well last week!
The wind proved to be variable in both strength and direction, resulting in very biased start lines for each race. The first race was a struggle for boats to cross the line on starboard, and the second race had a couple of boats over, though�Mike/Eric failed to return.
The occasional holes in the wind were frustrating and challenging, and places were readily gained or lost.
Banter rides side saddle
Sunday started off sunny, which again made the cold wind more comfortable. The wind was just about as shifty as Saturday so beats came and went, and, unusually, one reach turned into a beat briefly!
The asymmetric fleet were caught out by one shift which caused another biased start line, and resulted in three of the four starters to be over the line. They all returned eventually!
The wind freshened as the day went on, resulting in various capsizes, and�a blown out F15 spinnaker (not a good start to the racing season for John and Tim).�With three races scheduled, numbers dwindled as time passed, and various crews were pleased to hear the final finishing signal.
We have just learned of the sudden and unexpected death, albeit after a long fight with cancer, of former member Bob Pitt who was a keen and active member in the 1980s, sailing in the GP fleet with his wife Helen, and they regularly toured on the GP circuit.
