Great North Asymmetric Challenge at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

Great North Asymmetric Challenge © William Carruthers

Twenty-seven crews from seven northern clubs put entries in for this year's GNAC. Those who had travelled were committed to sail but, despite the sunshine, there was a bitterly cold south easterly wind gusting force 6 on Saturday so several of the local crews opted not to go out.

Some provided additional bodies for the rescue craft which were in regular demand standing by while capsized dinghies were righted and, in some cases, providing actual assistance to boats and crews.

With four windward leeward races sailed back to back it was cold enough for those who didn't capsize and, for those who did, heading back to a warm clubhouse was a favoured option. By the final race on Saturday just fourteen boats were still racing.

Conditions suited the RS400s which took the top two positions overnight, led by Richard Catchpole and Gary Coop from Leigh and Lowton.

On Sunday, the wind had eased marginally and there were fewer capsizes but there were still exhilarating conditions, and the downwind legs in particular caused entertaining watching from the warmth of the clubhouse. The gusts on the beat proved tricky as they were often headers!

By popular agreement there was a change to the four race schedule with a lunch break splitting the action.

All in all the racing was very close with positions often changing lap by lap, and there were five different race winners. There was an incredibly close three way contest for the lead and, after taking two discards into account, there was just a single point separating the first three positions, all RS400s, with overnight leaders Catchpole and Coop taking the honours, with Hamish Gledhill 2nd, and Chris Pickles 3rd. In 4th position came the Feva well sailed by Alistair and Evie Coates from Leigh and Lowton and the leading RS200 of Phil and Naomi Smith from Bass.

Overall Results: