Windermere Winter Series incorporating the IRC Inland Championships

A blustery day during the Windermere Winter Series © David Watkins

Lessons in drifting during the Windermere Winter Series © Graham Blackwell

The Windermere Winter Series takes place on every other Sunday from November to March, and is run by the WCA. It attracts a mix of sports boats, IRC racing yachts and cruisers, welcoming a mix of abilities – from relative newcomers to class national champions.

There are two fleets – IRC and PY – giving close and competitive racing for all types of boat, based on two back-to-back 100 min races around Windward-Leeward or Olympic courses. The 2014/2015 Winter Series saw a real mix of weather conditions – at times an exercise in drifting, other days testing crews to the limit with high winds, snow and wintry squalls.

The IRC racing is highly competitive, with the top 5 often only separated by a few seconds, and officially recognised as the Inland IRC Championships. The PY fleet is equally tightly contested – but is also designed to be fun, inclusive and to encourage people into competitive racing.

This year the overall winner of the IRC fleet was Steve Goacher (Eric the Boat, Hunter Sonata), closely followed by Stuart Fitton (Scenario Encore, IOR ¾ Tonner) and Gerry Firth (Off Limits, Beneteau 25 OD). Whilst the IRC fleet includes any boat with a recognised IRC rating, the IRC Inland Championship can only be won by yachts with a current valid IRC certificate. The IRC Championship was won by Eric the Boat, followed by Scenario Encore, and with Jaw Breaker, a J70 skippered by David Atkinson, in third.

IRC winners, Eric the Boat in the Windermere Winter Series - photo © David Watkins

The PY fleet was won in style by Stuart Spence in Carna, a Beneteau First 21.7, followed Keith Jones in Alchemey, a Hunter Formula 1 and Dan Seed in SHED, a Topper Breeze 6.0.

PY fleet winners, Carna in the Windermere Winter Series - photo © David Watkins

Asked what motivates him to get up early on cold Sunday mornings during the winter months to compete, Stuart Spence replied: "It's great to get out and sail and keep your hand in over the winter months. I sail with my wife, Deb, and good friend John. Whilst it can be very competitive there is always a good atmosphere and still time for a joke on the water, as well as off. To race in a good winter breeze with a snow-peaked mountain backdrop and then meet up with friends in the bar afterwards takes a lot of beating! (OK, so it's not always sunny but when you look back, it's quite surprising how few of the races are really wet). We sail a First 21.7 in the PY handicap fleet but with more than half a dozen other 21's we get some near to one-design racing in as well which adds to the entertainment."

Windermere is a unique venue. We do see sudden shifts and squalls – all adding to the mix and fun of racing on the lake. Being only 15mins from the M6, Windermere is easy to get to, and sees competitors from as far as the Clyde and the Midlands taking the trouble to get up early every other Sunday and travel to the Lake District. The venue is very scenic – when the racing is over it is good to simply relax, sit back and enjoy fantastic scenery – before heading off the bar to swap stories.

Please visit the WCA website for more information and how to enter the 2015/16 winter series.

Overall Results:

IRC

PY