Solo Open at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

Bassenthwaite Solo Open © William Carruthers

John Reekie wins the Bassenthwaite Solo Open © William Carruthers

John Reekie is presented with his prize by and Commodore Robin Dawson at the Bassenthwaite Solo Open © William Carruthers

Three visitors joined eight Bassenthwaite boats on Sunday to benefit from wall to wall sunshine with a light, but freshening, wind from the south-west, though there were some regular major shifts from the north-west. The shifts did cause some calm patches but the fleet of eleven boats kept moving. Dealing with the shifts and calm patches was key to the leaders.

The race officer cleverly scheduled the first two races back to back so we were all ashore in time to watch England's first half demolition of Panama.

John Reekie of Bassenthwaite seemed to successfully hitch a lift up the A66 to take the honours in the first race from Richard Critchley also of Bassenthwaite. In the next race Joe Quick from Coniston mastered the shifts to take 1st place with John 2nd, so that there was all to race for in the final race.

After lunch and the football there was an expectation that the sea breeze would bed in, but the northwest gusts continued to kick in on the northern side of the course and they wer e Rory Yardley of Bassenthwaite's downfall as, having led throughout the race he was caught between the two winds with just two legs to go. John used a gust to take the lead and blanket Rory who subsequently lost one more place. John Reekies's win earned him first overall, with Richard Critchley second and Joe Quick third.

Overall Results: