The ONE Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week - Days 1 & 2
by Mik Chappell 4 Aug 2015 06:51 BST
1-9 August 2015
This year, Bassenthwaite SC's Annual Regatta from 1st to 9th August is being sponsored by the recently opened Lakes Distillery whose product brand name is ONE. Hence the change of title from its historical Bassweek.
The first weekend's four race series was held in sunny conditions but with a blustery Force 4 to 5 wind blowing over and around the south westerly fells. Over one hundred and thirty boats took to the water in eleven fleets including additional ones for the Graduates who were holding their Northern championships, and for the Mirrors as these early races constituted a round in their Northern Travellers series.
Saturday's races were held at the northern end of the Lake within sight of the clubhouse. There were a significant number of capsizes with several boats being blown onto the lee shore and finding it difficult to get off again. There was the inevitable collision but most were able to continue racing.
One interesting incident at a port hand windward mark to be rounded on starboard saw three Fifteens coming up to lap the lead Mirror who knew he had mark room. Two were already on starboard but the third on port tacked inside them only to be confronted by a red sail close ahead! It was tight, but they managed to round four abreast.
On Sunday the wind was roughly the same strength but had gone south and was blowing directly down the Lake. This was the Race Officer's opportunity to send the fleets to the southerly end. They went part way down in the morning race and, all but the slowest fleets, the whole distance after the lunch break. This resulted in a three mile beat followed by a straight run back to the principal sailing area at the Northern end.
Some rather exhausted helms and crews returned to the Clubhouse for the prizegiving with the numerous awards being presented by Paul Currie, the MD of Lakes Distillery.
Results can be found here.