The One Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week - Thursday & Friday report
by Paul Allen 11 Aug 2019 15:26 AEST
3-11 August 2019
With lighter winds forecast on Thursday, sailors were pleased to be resting their muscles somewhat. Fortunately the rain showers stayed away, and the sun broke through for a glorious afternoon.
With the RNLI pursuit being held this afternoon, the local branch of the RNLI held a table top sale in support of their charity. The change in conditions offered some the opportunity to swap boats and crews for the Martini Challenge Trophy sponsored by Grapevine Wine Service. Generally there was a light breeze all day, with various lulls, and some big swings in direction. Across the 12 fleets the usual suspects were in the mix along side some new additions including Chris and Laura Pickles who won the RS200s and Caroline Exley and Josh Hunter who won the Fast Handicap. Full results can be found here www.bassweek.org.uk/19mct.
For lunch 20 children sailed across to Scarness Bay for a picnic on the idyllic shoreline. For some this was their first adventure helming and great to see some new faces in the fleet of Optimists, RS Teras and Mirrors.
The changeable conditions continued through the prolonged start for the RNLI pursuit, perhaps to the benefit of the early starters. After the allotted 100 mins a Wanderer sailed by David Moore and Nathan Holt had a clear lead from two Mirrors, sailed by Graham and Sebastian Vials and Luke and Tristan Shaw. Nathan celebrated finished first in the 80 boat fleet by jumping overboard!
The sunny weather was great for the children's party games, which was followed by an evening of Bass has got talent as demonstrated by the stars of our GP fleet!
Friday commenced with tales of storms up and down the country. A wet and windy night for campers was forecast to ease in time for racing to get under way as scheduled. The rain faded to a drizzle by the time racing started, and the clouds finally cleared to offer sunshine filled skies! Was this really the same day?
As for the sailing, the OD checked the ESE wind was true up the lake, and opted to send the faster fleets all the way to 12 and back again, with the slower fleets staying in the northern bay. Just as the fast handicap fleet started the wind veered to the SW, but it was expected the wind would remain true down the lake as the wind curved around Sale Fell. The start line was quickly repositioned for the slower fleets and their beat altered to suit the new direction, then their race started, and had almost finished before the faster fleets reappeared!
The OD took to the water to shorten five fleets which were surprisingly well bunched, and frustratingly for the finish team, 15 boats, aided with a tail wind, finished within one minute of each other! Too many changes in places and stories to tell here but one worth mentioning is Steve and Sarah Cockerill finished 30 minutes ahead of the next RS400 in a 2hr race!
The afternoon race for U18s, ladies, and over 60s started off in the dry weather, but soon the rain returned with the odd thunderstorm thrown into the mix. Eleanor Craig sailing a laser finished first lady and 1st overall in the 50 boat fleet. First senior was John Hansworth also sailing a laser. First juniors were James Vyse and Delith Hopkins sailing an Icon.
For further information, videos and photographs visit www.bassweek.org.uk