insurance4dinghies Bassenthwaite Regatta Week 2014
by Robin Dawson 13 Aug 2014 08:56 BST
2-10 August 2014
Over 170 boats enjoy Bass Week 2014 © Ian Hughes
Excellent weather over the majority of the week 2nd August - 10th August, exciting competition out on the water and fantastic breeze made Bass Week 2014 a superb regatta. Over 170 boats enjoyed the 18 races across the week.
Bass Week traditionally held during the first week in August, is regarded not just as a competitive event, but also a major social gathering. On the four-mile long lake, which is ideal for long leg races, Bass Week always provides spectacular sights of the fleets in sail. Bassenthwaite is the only true lake in the Lake District – the others are either meres or waters – and there is no public right of navigation. Other than rescue craft, there are no motor boats permitted.
Bass Week always brings dozens of enthusiasts to camp on the north western shores at Dubwath, but out on the water, where the Lake District ospreys fish for dinner, the atmosphere is peacefully competitive. The talk in the clubhouse is all about RS400s, 200's, Lasers, Mirrors, Enterprises, Flying Fifteens and the Phantom's handicap!
Throughout the week Paul & Jude Allen from Leigh and Lowton in their RS400 cleaned up in the fast handicap fleet around the cans, only being outdone on the 8 mile windward leeward courses by the 29er team of Phillipa Benson and Caitlin Ross. Local pairing Andy and Lily Smith led the way in Tuesday's Nairn Pursuit event in a Mirror.
The re-emergence of a strong Flying fifteen fleet was great to see and provided numerous winners during the week including Neil Currie, John Hardisty and Neil Platt.
Phil & Naomi Smith's domination of the 200 fleet was only intermittently stopped by Robin Dawson and Izzie Hunter. Whilst Tom Stewart from Pinnell and Bax proved the team to beat in his National 12 in the medium handicap fleet, only letting the other competitors have a chance when he packed up to go to the Merlin Rocket national championships.
The stronger breeze arrived over the final weekend and it was a good job the Trident dinghy team were on hand with spare burgees and halyards! The last weekend also saw Bassenthwaite host the Enterprise NW Area Championships. After very close racing Sam Woods and Mille Pryke from Glossop came out winners with Alan Roberts and Rhea Burton in second.
You can find out more about Bassenthwaite Sailing Club at our website, www.bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk
You can also come and follow us and like us on our Facebook group and on twitter @BassSailingClub.
Next year's Bass Week will be held 1st August 2015 - 9th August 2015 - don't miss out!