The One Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week - Midweek Report
by Paul Allen 8 Aug 2019 08:02 PDT
3-11 August 2019
Following on from the weekend's sailing and partying, the schedule offers a lay morning on Monday before the legendary round the lake race if the wind allows (which it didn't).
Sponsored by Ginger Boats, the Dragonforce 65 radio sailing race was run expertly by Angus from the end of the jetty. Commencing with a handful of junior races before the adults took over and it all got a bit serious. Charlie Exley won the junior race counting a very consistent 2,2,1. Jen Hand showed the boys her transom with a handful of bullets to win the adult race.
After lunch a simple W shape course was sailed in the bay, offering champagne sailing in the sun. All the usual suspects were on their game. Mark Somerville and Joe Roberts won the fast handicap in their RS400, as did Eleanor Craig in the Lasers and Tim Hand in the competitive Solo fleet. Mike Moore and Kayla Sheard won the FF15s and Robin and Erin Dawson made easy work of the RS200s. The Wayfarer of Nigel and Belinda O'Donnell finished first in the Medium Handicap whilst Enterprise experts Mark Ninnim and Emma Smith kept ahead of newbies (to the Ents) Ed and Diane Thomas. David and Lynn Lawson continued their dominance in the GP14s whilst the fresh breeze suited the RS Vision of slow handicap. In the Mirror, Topper, Tera fleet, Sandy Simpson kept ahead of Jude and Grace Allen to claim first place.
The club house was full on Monday evening, with quizzes keeping the competitive spirit alive. As ever it was a close run result going to a tie break on the colour of the VC's underwear! The fully deserving winners were 'The Independent Wine Merchant of the Year' aka Carruthers and Kent.
Tuesday morning's Dubwath Cup was sailed in lighter than forecast winds, although some strong gusts passed through causing a capsize or two, while the shadow of Sale Fell occasionally challenged the fleet as they rounded mark 9. The Nairn Pursuit had varying conditions during the prolonged 40 min start sequence including torrential rain, high gusts, and then lighter winds for the final few starts. This gave the early starters, mainly Mirrors, an advantage which they used to within three minutes of the finish when the GP fleet, led by Andy Smith/Phil Hodgkins, were closing in. Inexplicably the lead Mirror seemed to believe they had finished and overstood the final mark before the finish signal. Realising their error they headed back to next mark, taking 4th position, though it seemed likely that the GPs may well have passed them in the final minutes in any case.
The sun was back out on Wednesday for the 3 race Nat West Cup. The westerly wind was punchy with many capsizes in all fleets. Mark Somerville and Joe Roberts smashed the fast handicap, winning all there races in their RS400.
Graham and Sebastian Vials claimed two bullets in the Mirrors/Toppers/Terras to win overall. In the slow handicap, Oscar Shilling revelled in the fresh conditions, also winning with two first places, no small feat given the majority of the fleet are adults. After a shaky first race, Tim had found his speed and won the last two races to claim first overall in the Solo fleet. Greg Thomas and Alastair Rimmer won the GP14s counting a 2nd and a 3rd. In the Enterprise fleet Mike Maddocks and Carys Done finished first overall with two first places, as did Matthew Lutwyche in the Medium handicap sailing a Blaze. Eleanor Craig made easy work of the 22 boat laser fleet with three bullets. Phil and Naomi Smith won the RS200s whilst Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood won the FF15s, both counting two first places and sitting out the last race!
Thursday brings sunshine and the Martini Challenge Trophy 2019. At lunchtime a junior expedition is on the cards, sailing to Scarness Bay for lunch.