Mirror Inland, Youth & Junior, and Singlehanded Championship at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

There was an entry of twenty boats of which seventeen took to the water. The less-than-expected numbers are likely to have been due to the forecast of extremely light winds over the two days. Five crews had travelled from other northern clubs.

Yes, there was a short postponement prior to the first race but the breeze built allowing three good races to be completed by late afternoon. Taking account of the forecast for the following day the race officer decided to extend the first day's racing by adding a fourth start. This made sense but a number of helms felt their young crews had endured enough exercise for one day and didn't take the start.

In Race 1 a number of crews were eager to get started and ended up OCS and only one boat returned. The win went to Luke & Tristan Shaw for Budworth. The next race was taken by Phil & Oliver Smith from Bass. Following a break to enjoy the galley's offerings and the sunshine Races three & four were held. Both were won by Andy & Lily Smith (bass) giving them an overnight lead of 1 point over the Shaws.

Sunday also started with a postponement as the wind freshened then disappeared several times. But it eventually settled and racing resumed. It was Phil & Oliver Smith who took the win with Phil's wife and the club's Commodore snatching second on the line from the Shaws.

It was all to play for in the final race despite Andy & Lily Smith having a poor result in the previous one. Phil & Oliver Smith took the lead at the windward mark and held it to the finish securing them the Inland Championship Trophy. This was fitting as Phil was Mirror National Champion in 1999 with his brother Tim, who was also amongst the entrants on this occasion.

Luke & Tristan Shaw were deserved runners up in the Championship and, as such, Luke thanked the Organising Club for their efforts at the end of the prize-giving. Naomi Smith took the awards for the first Single Hander and the first Female Helm, Ed Coady & Sebastian Shilling from Derwent Reservoir SC were the first Junior crew and Charlie Exley & Josh Hunter from Bass were first in the Youth category.

Inland Champions Phil & Oliver Smith - Mirror Inland, Youth & Junior, and Singlehanded Championship at Bassenthwaite - photo © William Carruthers

Overall Results:

Mirror Inland, Youth & Junior, and Singlehanded Championship at Bassenthwaite - photo © William Carruthers