The final Fleet Challenge of 2014 commenced on Saturday with a light but sailable Northerly wind, 12 boats took part in the first race a decision was made to run it as a mass start with results calculated on personal handicap, despite been advertised as a pursuit series.

Robin Dawson and daughter Amber led the fleet in a RS 200 from start to finish. Mike Moore and Kayla Sheard in a Flying Fifteen recovered from a poor beat to mark 2 to overtake Tim Knowles and Martin Statter also in a Flying Fifteen to finish second.

When results we calculated the Wayfarer of Chris Lloyd and David Ferguson took overall honours followed by David Haselden in his Solo and Jonathan Anson in a Laser.

The 2nd race saw a wind shift just after the start which meant the first beat became a fetch for many. Mike and Kayla lead the fleet with Tim and Martin 2nd. After the results were calculated Chris and David were again victorious to lead the series overnight. Mike & Kayla finished 2nd and Jonathan had another 3rd to lie 2nd overall. Mik Chappell in his Mirror is lying 3rd overall despite hitting the last mark and having to do a penalty turn.

Sunday started as another glorious morning, though wind was light, and somewhat variable. The tell tale Bothel turbines were suggesting a northerly direction, but the signs and direction at lake level were not following suit. It was to be day when whatever OD Mike wanted and expected would be thwarted by the wind.

Due to the light airs, Mike was in a benevolent mood and delayed the first race start by a whole 7 mins, not that it was enough time for all to get to the line. Kayla was racing her Laser, and out in plenty of time, but got caught in a hole and ended up taking 3 mins to cross the start! The wind was very variable throughout, and some boats had to beat, for a short while at least, on the first two legs. On a personal handicap basis, Ian Hall was 1st 2mins ahead of Joan/Jack in their GP.

Again the wind teased Mike by coming from the West while he set the course for the 2nd race, only to generally settle from the North. Sazzle struggled to get her head round the course, reading 0B5 y/z as 05B x/y! The shifting wind suited her ‘course’ better than Mike’s! Kayla surprised herself, and the leaders, by twice getting into the lead for a while. Such a fine performance gave Kayla a deserved 1st place just 15 secs ahead of AJ/Sue

For the 3rd and final race of the day, Mike relied on the wind holding from the North. Although the fleet had to beat at the top of the windward leg, gusts from the West meant there was even more fetching to contend with. AJ/Sue won on handicap 45 secs ahead of Harry in a Laser Radial.

In the final out turn it was Mik in his Mirror that won overall, 3pts ahead of Hazel/Izzie in a RS Feva

Final results

Izzie and Harry arriving for a voyage on training ship James Cook.

Proud mum received some communication ‘having great time, don’t text me!…’

Day 2

Harry and Izzie are now in Campletown having left Whitehaven last night. This is not the first such trip as a group of young people from the club went to Scotland in the distant past (in the 1980s?) to sail a boat called Taikoo. Could have been some of the member’s children who are now elevated to be members who are now parents of young people.

You can access to voyage on http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/ enter James Cook Sailing Vessel.
More from http://www.sailjamescook.com/about/james-cook/follow-james-cook

OYT North have planned to have a boat jumble stall at Whitehaven Marina on Saturday the 30th August where there will be people more than willing to talk about the alternative sailing for younger people. We are also looking for sailing equipment donations to sell for funds to support local young people on future voyages. Nothing is too small if we can make a few shillings.
Contact Andy Sugden [email protected] or even bring it along on the day. Sure there must be some of those children’s lifejackets in the garage or even a few dozen screws or shackles that others may be able to use.

Better still if you are in a corporate position we are always looking for sponsors for what has been a proven 50 year track record in sail training and has had a place in Cumbria for some time. James Cook attended the Official Whitehaven Sea Lock Opening Ceremony when local young people from our schools and companies sailed it to the event. It has even sailed around the world with young people on board.

James Cook will then be back in Whitehaven Harbour on the 30 August if want to have a look as it prepares for the turn around when she heads for the North East Coast via the Caledonian Canal. On board will be another connection from the club.

Anyone wishing to know more can catch me at the club or make contact direct.

It has been regrettably the best kept secret in sailing.

Regards

Andy Sugden – the one with the bump on the head at Bass Week and now to be seen wearing a bump cap!

After the visitors left on Sunday, there was a great atmosphere for the rounders match and people of all ages and from clubs up and down the country had a great time with refreshments being served it was a great way to end the day.

Bank holiday Monday was a poor forecast of high, gusty winds, with showers mixed in and despite the sun shining, the southerly wind and waves resulted in minimal interest in racing, but four Lasers, and a couple of F15s led the way by preparing to go out, and several others followed.

Just before the start the wind swung through 60deg to the East just in time to ensure the windward /leeward course wasn’t two reaches! While Toggle led the Asymmetric fleet, Dave/Lynn in their GP led the MJM fleet, including the F15s for almost half the race! The wind shifts were substantial, and the gusts significant, giving opportunities to gain substantial ground, but causing a few capsizes too.

The afternoon pennant race only had two takers, both F15s. AJ took the left side of the beat and was trouncing Mike/Sally until he rounded the windward mark the wrong way (perhaps he’d taken too much notice of Greg Wells in the F15 Northerns…). Once in the lead, Mike wasn’t going to give it up, and he opened up the gap to win the Eric Twiname Trust pennant.

Skiddaw Cup latest results
Dodd Trophy latest results
MJM/Asymmetric Cup latest results
Eric Twiname Trust pennant

We are hosting this prestigious event on Saturday and Sunday of the August weekend. It was great to have a total of 35 entries.

With a forecast of next to no wind on Sunday, the OD forewarned sailors that he would try to get four races in on Saturday. A slight delay before the first race, but it got underway in a nice breeze and promptly faded for 5 mins! As ever, the cream rise to the top with Steve Goacher taking the lead and winning the first race.

All were a bit too eager for the second race so there was a general recall. After a second general recall, the black flag came into force, and everyone behaved well getting the race underway in strengthening, but still shifting, winds. Another win for Goacher.

However he didn’t have all his own way in race 3, being 10th to windward mark, working through to 5th off wind, and clinching water,and 1st position at the leeward mark before the final leg of the shortened course.

Goacher took the lead in the fourth race from the windward mark and continued to pull away. With potentially one final race on Sunday Goacher had already won the championship.

As for everyone else, there was mixed fortunes with many ups and downs, various bumps and near misses, several threats of protests, and many weary sailors after a challenging days sailing.

They were all ready for the Waples wine tasting together with a slither of cheese, and it turned out to be a boisterous, fun evening.

Sunday was a beautiful day with a poor wind forecast. After a postponement, despite major wind swings the OD was able to get a final race underway. The wind continued to swing, and eased from time to time, but it was another race for Goacher to demonstrate his ability to work through to the front of the fleet and secure his fifth win of the championship – a clean sweep!

Final results
Waples wine results

With the darker nights creeping in, a reminder that the Night Jar start times have moved forward to 7pm. This isn’t so that AJ can finish earlier and prepare the evening meal as, this week, Neil will be cooking a curry to warm you all up.

Well done and congratulations to Bass members that attended the GP Worlds in Strangford Lough

14th � Dave/Lynn Lawson
16th � Adam Parry/Phil Hodgkins
36th � Paul Bowmer/Mike Fairlamb
51st � John Riley/Nigel Lewis
67th � Val/Ken Bell