SLAM Flying Fifteen Northerns at Royal Windermere Yacht Club

Twenty-three boats from fifteen clubs as far afield as Bewl Valley and Loch Lomond came together at Royal Windermere YC for the SLAM Northern Championships over the weekend of 5 – 6 May, making a total of thirty boats competing.

On Saturday the fleet sailed in the north basin in what was forecast to be north east 6 – 10mph of wind. The first race was won by Steve Goacher and Phil Evans after a good start in very difficult conditions. The wind came and went from a variety of directions, and every leg of the course turned in to a beat at some stage during the race. Second was Phil Snewin and Ros Coleman, also from the home club, and Simon Longstaff and Jon Denwood from Bassenthwaite managed third, their best result of the series. The second race followed a similar pattern, Goacher and Evans winning again. Graham Campbell and Graeme Galbraith from Cardwell Bay SC came through to take second place, George Purves and Ian Shearer from East Lothian YC third.

After a change of wind to southerly, followed by a rapid course change, it finally settled easterly. Following another rapid course change, the third race started after a general recall. This time Goacher and Evans made a bad start, and managed to pull back to fourth place. The race was won by Snewin and Coleman, with Justin and Thomas Waples third.

Sunday dawned sunny with a gentle southerly breeze. The fleet were sent into the south basin, where the Race Officer set a windward-leeward course while the wind remained reasonably true. Peter and Sue Bannister from Hayling Island pulled up the fleet to win the first race, followed by team Waples with their best result of the series. Nigel and Gavin Tullett from Windermere were third, also their best result.

The lunchtime calm fortunately coincided with a lunch break on the water. The wind finally settled back into the south west, and after a minor course change the fleet got off to a second start following a general recall. Simon Robinson and Dave Vasey from Derwent Reservoir SC built up a large lead which was eventually eroded by Snewin and Coleman, who managed their second win. Robinson and Vasey came second and Goacher and Evans pulled up in to third place. The wind by this time was patchy, coming and going in places, making the racing something of a lottery.

The event was won by Steve Goacher and Phil Evans with two firsts, a third and fourth to count. Second was Phil Snewin and Ros Coleman, also with two firsts. Nigel and Gavin Tullett were third with a second and three fifth places to count, making the result a clean sweep for the home club. Justin and Thomas Waples came fourth, and Graham Campbell and Graeme Galbraith fifth.

There were five silver and classic boats competing, the winner being Jordan Aspin and Jason Benn from Sir John Fisher Sailing Centre in Barrow-in-Furness.

All credit is due to Race Officer Steve Bewsher and his team who managed the scheduled five races in very difficult conditions. The event was generously sponsored by local clothing business SLAM. Everyone enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and excellent meal at the club on the Saturday evening, and after the racing on Sunday the event finished in glorious sunshine.

Overall Results: