Mirror Northern Travellers at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

Mirror Northern Travellers at Bassenthwaite © Ian Hall

A fleet of twelve Mirrors arrived on the morning of 9 June for the two day open meeting, combined with the Topper, and the NWJTT.

With light winds forecast from the east, there was a bit of hope that a sea breeze from the south west was starting to bed in. Despite the forecast, there was a good northerly which gradually swung to the west. Racing was soon underway, but the wind swung further to the SW on the 2nd lap resulting in boats having to tack into the first wing mark, so the race was shortened.

The course had to be reset for the following two races as the winds swung to and fro but the beats were maintained, even though sailors had some major shifts to contend with. The Smith family single-handedly led the charge at the start of the 2nd race resulting in three general recalls! The introduction of Black Flag for the 3rd race had the desired effect. Throughout the afternoon there was only one capsize, but Andy and Lily Smith fro m Bassenthwaite were caught out by one shift and went for a quick swim! Overnight leaders were Phil and Oliver Smith from Bassenthwaite.

On Sunday it was mid-day before the breeze had filled the bay, and racing got underway. Again, there were two winds vying to take control, and, as on Saturday, it was the westerly that eventually won, but it was a gradual process as the races went on, and resulted in the beat swinging more to the wing mark in a couple of races.

With time being of the essence following the later than planned start, the black flag was introduced, preventing further general recalls. Phil and Oliver Smith won all three races to cement their win, followed by Andy and Lily Smith in second and Rob and Elizabeth Cook (Bassenthwaite and Northampton) in third.

Overall Results: