Bassenthwaite Sailing Club Regatta Week Overall
by AJ Hodgkins 14 Aug 2000 23:20 BST
Bassenthwaite Regatta Week continued on Monday 7th August with the traditional around the lake race for the Luffing cup. This was a popular race with both Bassenthwaite sailors and visitors with 74 boats taking to the water. The winds were very fickle and as the front of the fleet were making their way back up the lake the slower boats were having fun sailing from ‘hole’ to ‘hole’. It was a very successful day for local sailors with Mike and Chris Moore ( Bass –Wesham) winning in the Flying 15 class and Andy Smith (Harrington) winning the Laser class. Robin Dawson (Harrington) and Philip Hodgkins (Brigham) won the GP14 class (beating Philip’s mum and dad in their newer boat!).
Other results were - National 12s - Sue Jones and Nicola Mitchell (Nottingham), Enterprise – Alan Baker and Gill Kincaid (Tynemouth), Fast Handicap- Steve Hunt and Andrew Wilcox (Leigh and Lowton), Slow Handicap – Allan Raistre (Pennine). The day was rounded off with a wonderful Ceilidh in the evening. 8Th August - Tuesday morning bought glorious sunshine but a distinct lack of wind during the morning, however the wind just managed to fill in for the afternoons racing to get underway. The Dubworth Cup attracted 60 boats, the visiting sailors faired much better today winning all the classes except the GP14 class, which was won by the brother and sister team of John and Lesley-Ann Telford ( Whitehaven).
The Flying Fifteen Dubworth cup was won by John Hardist and Roger Errington (Derwent Reservoir): Laser Dubworth Cup - Rob Hooker (Derwent Reservoir): National 12 Dubworth Cup- Chris and Henry Mark (Ripon Sailing club): Enterprise Dubworth Cup – Alan Baker and Gill Kincaid (Tynemouth): Fast Handicap-Stephen Hunt and Andrew Wilcox (Leigh and Lowton), Slow Handicap – Allan Raistre (Pennine). The evening entertainment proved very successful with a great Barbecue and Karaoke, which lasted well into the night. Wednesday 9th saw the grey skies returning and some gusty conditions on the lake. The Nat West Cup got underway as the lake was beginning to get choppy and several boats capsized during the race. By the time the second race of the day got underway the wind was even stronger and many boats capsized at least once during the race – the record was 18 capsizes by one boat. Several boats had to be left out in the lake while the efficient rescue crews returned their crews safely to the shore.
Results were Flying Fifteens – John Hardist and Roger Errington (Derwent reservoir): Lasers – Sam Jones (Scaling Dam): National 12 – Chris and Henry Mark (Ripon): Enterprise- Alan Baker and Gill Kincaid (Tynemouth): GP14’s Andrew and Mark Greenhaugh (Bassenthwaite); Fast Handicap - Stephen Hunt and Andrew Wilcox (Leigh and Lowton), Slow Handicap – Allan Raistre (Pennine).
The final race of the day was the Nairn Pursuit race postponed from the previous day. This race sees the slowest boats starting the race first and then at varying intervals the faster boats start, racing to catch up and overtake to win. Again the wind was very strong and by the end only 20 boats finished the race. The overall winner was Steve Hunt and Andrew Wilcox from Leigh and Lowton sailing club in their RS 400, the first Bassenthwaite boat to finish was Mike Moore and Alan Smith (Bass-Harrington) in a flying fifteen, closely followed by John Telford and Andy Burgess (Bass-Harrington). The evening entertainment was a disco for those who still had the energy after a hard day’s sailing. Thursday 10th arrived to more grey skies but a pleasant breeze saw more exciting racing.
The Martini Challenge Trophy was sailed in the morning with a very large fleet of over 80 boats taking to the water. A notable change of class was the commodore Miles Middleton who swapped his Flying Fifteen for a Mirror and was rewarded with his first ever trophy. Results were Flying Fifteens – Mike and Sharon Hart (Port Dinorwic), Lasers – Andy Smith (Bass – Harrington), National 12 – Chris and Henry Mark ( Ripon),Enterprises- Mark Ninnim and Julian record ( Derwent Reservoir), GP14 John Telford and Andy Burgess (Bass – Whitehaven), Fast Handicap - Steve Hunt and Andrew Wilcox (Leigh and Lowton) in a RS 400, Slow Handicap – Simon Davis (Wembley) in a RS 200.
The afternoon pursuit race was for the Lifeboat Silver Salver, sponsored by Jenning Brewery. Nearly 60 boats headed for the start and this very competitive race was eventually won by Mike and Sharon Hart (Port Dinorwic) in a Flying Fifteen, closely followed by John Telford and Andy Burgess (Bass – Whitehaven). Friday 11th August saw the sun come out between the clouds, with the winds very light just as the junior sailors had ordered for their race in the afternoon. The morning race was the John Peel Tankard with 75 boats competiting in the various classes with close racing all the way to the finish line. Local sailors did very well to finish first in 3 of the classes.
The results were as follows: Flying fifteens William Carruthers(Bass -Carlisle) and Alan Smith (Bass - Harrington), Lasers – Andy Smith (Bass – Harrington), National 12’s - Chris and Henry Mark (Ripon), Enterprises – Neal Piper and Sarah Green (Tynemouth), GP14’s Robin Dawson (Bass – Harrington) and Philip Hodgkins ( Bass –Brigham), Fast Handicap – Mark Dingsdale(Leigh and Lowton) in an RS400, Slow Handicap – Derek Moss (Ripon) in a Streaker and the mirrors – Barbara Darling and Stephen Wood (Tynemouth). The afternoon racing was given over to the juniors, ladies and over 60’s. Novices and experienced helms took to the water as the winds filled in a little. A few boats retired and a few capsized but everyone who took part had a wonderful time and for some it was their first experience of racing. The Ladies and overall winner was Wendy Somerville (Bass-Carlisle) and Elaine Fairlamb( Bass – Deanscales). The winner of the over 60’s race was Derek Moss in a streaker and the junior race was won by N. Davis on a laser. A mini race was also held for the juniors who had enjoyed sailing training during the week. As the weekend approached the sailors and their support crews (wives and children) enjoyed the Hypnotist and a well earned rest.
Saturday again was grey but the sailing was excellent yet again. Three races were held for the Cutty Sark Challenge Trophy and the odd bottle of whisky. Results Flying Fifteens – Terry Crumpton and John Mathie (Derwent Reservoir) 2nd Scott Beatie and John Somerville (Bass – Carlisle), Laser’s – Mark Somerville (Bass – Carlisle), National 12’s - Neil McInnes (Yeadon ), Enterprise’s – Neal Piper and Sarah Green (Tynemouth), GP14’s – David and Lynn Lawson ( Bass – Kendal) with Andy Smith and Andy Burgress 2nd in a very close field. Fast Handicap- Steve Hunt and Andrew Wilcox (Leigh and Lowton) in a RS 400, Slow Handicap – Simon Davis (Wembley) in a RS 200. Saturday night saw the final fling disco with everyone enjoying the last night of a fantastic week of sailing and entertainment. Sunday was the final day of the regatta and a very special race was held this year. The Stephen Nicholson Race was held to celebrate the life of Stephen and to remember his happy visits to Bassenthwaite before he sadly died. Over £500 was raised for the Asthma Research Unit and a painting was presented to his parents. The pursuit race gave everyone another opportunity to sail around the lake and by the end of the race the field was very close.
The winner of the specially designed trophy was Steve Hunt and Andrew Wilcox in an RS400. The sun came out as everyone packed up to go home and said their farewells for another year. Bassenthwaite Regatta 2000 was a wonderful success and thanks must go to everyone who worked so hard to make it go so smoothly, from the race office helpers and Herb Telford (Whitehaven) who fired the cannon to get all the sailors over the start line (and to call us back when we tried to get away early) to all who helped cleaning and tidying the club and its grounds, not forgetting Colmore Catering who kept all the competitors and supporters sustained throughout the week. As the Commodore, Miles Middleton, wished everyone a safe journey home everyone agreed it had been a fantastic week, now all we need is a week to recover!
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