Ethan Dawson has been selected to represent the West Zone at the Eric Twiname Championships held at Rutland 11/12 May 2013, a mere 21 years after his dad Robin, Commodore Andy and Vice Commodore Mark were selected for the same event!
Well done Ethan
Bass Week
The Bass Week brochure has been printed and should arrive on past entrants doorsteps in the next few days.
Take advantage of the substantial discounts by entering before the first deadline of 15 June. This year you can save on postage by entering online and paying by bank transfer or PayPal. Please note that it will take a few days to verify bank transfers.
We look forward to meeting, greeting, beating (hopefully!) and entertaining you all again.
Fleet Challenge A
Saturday brought some blue skies and warmer sailing weather at last. With it there was a strong breeze, and heavy swell, coming down the lake. From time to time some heavy squalls challenged sailors and led to numerous capsizes.
The Fleet Challenge is a weekend series of six races calculated on a personal handicap basis.
Alan/Sue soon decided that the GP was the wrong boat for the conditions and soon retired. Steve/Ruth led the fleet in the first two races, but suffered a capsize from one of the sharp squalls, and opted to tack round at in the gusts at some of the gybe marks.
Scumper was frustrated at the lack of spinnaker legs in the first race, but suffered various capsizes flying his gennaker in the next race.
Zefer was trying his hand in the RS100 again, but capsizes got the better of him and he retired. Instructors Nigel/Mike suffered a similar fate – perhaps they were practising their capsize technique (not that Herb would have done it that way!).
Ian/Lezli-Ann were lead F15 for a while in the first race, but Mike/Kayla were able to handle the gusts better and break back through offwind. Mike ducked out of the 2nd race, as he had to repair a universal joint on his tiller.
Numbers sailing reduced as the races went on, such that the single handers opted not to race the 3rd race after the tea break leaving the F15s to master the conditions, not that they tried to fly spinnakers as the offwind legs were spectacular enough without them.
Ian/Lezli-Ann finished the day with three well earned 1sts, putting them in a very strong position for the trophy. Mike/Kayla are 2nd, and Steve/Ruth 3rd.
Sunday’s forecast proved to be accurate. With stronger winds and rain, the OD was quick to abandon racing for the day.
Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit
In the social diary we have an ‘interesting talk’ following the bring and eat on Saturday 4th May, however, the person Claire, our social secretary, was hoping to do this can no longer make it.
If you have something you want to talk about which will interest people, or if you know someone who could do it, please get in touch with Claire,
Springlike!
The day started overcast with a light breeze from the East. By the time racing was underway the breeze was fading, so much so that the phantom wood choppers turned round, went ashore, and chopped some more wood!
Those that kept racing endured the mirror like conditions and managed to complete one lap before heading ashore for lunch.
The big question was whether the wind would fill in before racing was abandoned for the day… After racing was abandoned, not unexpectedly, various zephyrs did pass through, but they soon disappeared proving the right decision was made.
Saturday Sailing
Despite a forecast of light winds, the sun shone, and there was a steadyish breeze to get the fleet of 15 boats around the course.
There was a good mix of boats in the handicap fleet. Unusually Scumper was first to the start with a couple of minutes to spare. Steve-Ruth misinterpreted the signals, and were testing the start when they realised what they thought was the 3 min signal was their start! Peter B got there some minutes after the GP start…
Despite his poor start, Steve was soon in the lead, and with the wind easing on the final lap (after he had finished), his lead was strengthened further, winning him the race ahead of Scumper. Steve won the 2nd race also, this time from Tog who had had another good race staying ahead of Scumper.
In the F15s, Ian/Lezli-Ann realised they hadn’t rigged the spinnaker properly, and were late for the start after mooring to a mark to resolve the problem. They did manage to pass Graham/Glynis who were nattering so much at one stage they missed passing through YZ! However, it was Mike/Kayla that won the first race.
In the 2nd race, Simon/Jon were back on form and pulled out a good lead from Ian, with Mike coming 3rd.
David/Lynn beat Mike/Nigel in both races.
Ben’s Guide to the Rules
Last night’s guide to the rules talk with panel Q&A session was especially well attended last night after Commodore Andy Smith, with a bit of help from Mike Moore (RYA NW area chairman) was able to coerce Olympic Champion Ben Ainslie to make a return visit to the club (His last visit was when Bassenthwaite hosted the Optimist Nationals!).
Despite best efforts, Mike was unable to ask any questions that Ben couldn’t answer with confidence (and accuracy we assume!).
In the Bass tradition, Ben stayed back for a few drinks with the lads. Tog was in his element!
Camping does not seem to be his favourite pastime, but when needs must… So Ben will be around for the rest of the morning.
Easter Saturday
A freezing night left ice on the lake on Saturday morning, but the sun shone, so there was no need for any ice breakers before the influx of visitors attending our open day! Many visitors had the opportunity to go for a sail and experience a taste of our sport.
Commodore Andy Smith wanted racing to get underway on time. Although Herb was ready, the Bates wasn’t. No start marks, so had to pick them up only to find they had no flags! With everything ready for the on time start, there were still a few stragglers on the shore…
Steve/Ruth were ready though and they got off to a flying start – had they written the course down correctly though? Well they did go on to win the race, and the Starter’s Prize.
There were several light spots in the wind strength, but it was an easy start for the first race.
With a break for a warming cup of tea, sailors ventured out just before the sun dipped below the skyline, and they were appreciative of their extra layers and warming head gear. The wind eased as the race continued. Steve/Ruth again won the handicap race, with Mike/Kayla winning in the F15s.
Another cold night is in store for the campers, but they won’t have to endure the cold for quite so long as the clocks go forward by one hour tonight – don’t forget otherwise you’ll be an hour late for tomorrow morning’s race!
It’s started already!
The stormy conditions that is!
For those that were getting a head start for the new season and taken their boats to the club, some boat covers are off and are not tied down.
Owners of boats may need to go down and check their boats, especially with the forecast of more strong winds for the weekend.
Of course, you could get prepared and go sailing!
It all starts Sunday.
Are you ready?
You may have noticed that the sailing programme has been uploaded to DutyMan, and those with allocated duties will have received notification. This all leads to the start of the 2013 sailing season which is so nearly upon us.
There is a rigging and tuning day on Sat 23 March, and the first race on Sun 24 March. Handbooks will be winging there way to your doorsteps in the next few days.
Time to dust down the boat cover, take the boat out of storage, and get it ready for another season.
See you there!