Topper North West Championship & Laser Open at Bassenthwaite

Topper North West Championship at Bassenthwaite © Simon Longstaff

Topper North West Championship at Bassenthwaite © Simon Longstaff

Laser Open at Bassenthwaite © Simon Longstaff

There was a busy programme of racing at Bass SC at the weekend. The Club was hosting the Topper North West Area Championships over both days and an Open meeting for Lasers on Saturday. This in addition to the normal weekend Club racing. There were 20 Toppers entered and 21 Lasers

Saturday's wind was extremely light and patchy and the first start was delayed until it filled in, at least a little. The OD planned to sail the scheduled three races back to back but when the wind faded at the end of race 2 everyone adjourned to the Clubhouse for an extended meal break. The Race Officer then saw the chance of a final race and both fleets started in drifting conditions. But then the wind filled enough to allow reasonable racing.

In the Topper fleet there were a number of protests for pumping and one in the first race, against Joe Baker from Windermere School, was upheld. Although he won the next two races it was the West Lancs YC boats of Samuel Cooper and Molly Nixon which held the overnight lead.

The Laser fleet was dominated by entries from the home Club and, despite gear failure in the first race, David Lawson took the trophy. Fellow Bass member Tony King was second beating Killington SC's Toby Hubbard on count back.

Sunday dawned overcast with a cold and brisk North East breeze and it remained that way although conditions were somewhat calmer in the afternoon. Joe Baker continued where he had left off the previous day and won two further races to finish on 6 points while the third Sunday race win went to Samuel Cooper who finished on 8 points. These two helms extended their gap to Molly Nixon who finished third overall with George Graham of Burwain SC in fourth.

Topper NW Area Championship Results:

Laser Open Results: