158 boats for the first weekend at The One Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week
by Paul Allen 6 Aug 2019 22:24 NZST
3-4 August 2019
After months of preparation The One Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week commenced with sunshine as the big team of helpers welcomed this year's visitors who were eager to set up camp from the moment the gate opened.
The bar and campsite was was buzzing with new and old friends meeting and catching up. This years reward for the club with the most boats goes to Swarkstone with 14 entries. Light winds, Sunshine and showers greeted 158 competitors across 12 fleets. After a small postponement only one race was sailed on Saturday with variable winds and selective rain showers which soaked some whilst others looked on in laughter.
The Commodore's Reception welcomed members and visitors with free drinks sponsored by the Lakes Distillery. Sunday offered champagne sailing conditions with a medium south-easterly breeze blowing the length of the lake. Race officer Andy Smith set a 1 mile windward leg which helped stretch off the cramps from the day before and refresh a few soar heads from those who enjoyed the Lakes Distillery's Worlds Best Vodka.
The fast handicap was dominated by RS400s, with Chis Pickles and Mark Lunn finishing first counting 4 points. Mark Somerville and Joe Roberts and Steve and Sarah Cockerill finished second and third, separated by a single point. Simon Longstaff and John Denwood won the FF15 fleet also on 4 points. Mike Moore and Kayla Sheard finished second ahead of Ian Campbell and Lezli-Ann Pearson in third.
Phil and Naomi Smith counted three bullets to win the competitive RS200 fleet which is this year seeing bumper numbers. In a similar fashion, Ed Thomas' Phantom finished ahead of the Swarkestone Wayfarers counting three point from three races. 2019 champion Eleanor Craig won the 23 strong Laser fleet.
Locals Mark Ninnim and Emma Smith won all three races in the Enterprise fleet as did David and Lynn Lawson in the GP14s. John Reekie and Luke Shaw had a 4 race ding dong in the Solos, with Reekie winning on countback. Emma Robertson sailing a Byte C2 also won on countback, from Adam Billany in a 2.4mtr.
This year's Graduate Northern Championship was sailed on the first weekend. Andy and Sue Flitcroft won on countback from Bob and Maggie Murrell, both on 5 points. In the competitive Mirrors/Toppers/Tera fleet Graham and Sebastian Vials won three races to win the first weekend trophy for the secong year in a row.
At the prize giving Commodore Naomi Smith thanked the Lakes Distillery for generous sponsorship and prizes which included the Worlds Best Vodka 2019.
Full results can be found here.