100 days to CraftInsure Bass Week
by Bass Press 25 Apr 2022 14:56 BST
30 July - 7 August 2022
Optimists at Bass Week © Pete Mackin
In roughly three month's time the gates will open to Craftinsure Bass Week 2022, where new and old friends meet, BBQ, possibly drink, definitely sail and almost certainly party.
Craftinsure, Bass Week 2022's title sponsor will be on site running an insurance clinic for competitors. We caught up with Rod, Craftinsure's Underwriting Manager to ask why he was keen to once again be part of the North's best family regatta week. 'Craftinsure is delighted to be sponsoring Bass Week again this year which has to be one of the best annual events on the UK sailing calendar. As a truly inclusive sailing week, with a mix of boat classes and families from all over the country having a great time in a stunning location what could be better!'.
It's interesting that Rod picked up on Bass Week being an inclusive event. The relative safety of Bassenthwaite Lake offers ideal conditions to get all the family sailing. The Mirror, Topper and RS Tera fleet is often buzzing with younger helms having fun on the water and thinking about their sailing in a more competitive environment. Whilst Bass Week is a family event, it's main focus is a regatta week and this year's sailing schedule includes a mini-series for novice teams on Monday morning, where we hope younger helms and parent and children teams will join in what should be a fun series.
We caught up with Bassenthwaite Sailing Clubs very own Hannah Preston, who won the Youth Endeavour award at Bass Week 2021. We asked Hannah (who often sings her way around the race course) how it felt to be awarded the Endeavour award, "winning the endeavour award means that I showed resilience when a race wasn't going my way (or if the wind was not ideal) by just having a go and carrying on. I sailed most of the races of the week so I think it award was for not giving up and enjoying the sailing, even if I was nowhere near the front, because I think sailing should be fun and not necessarily for winning all the time. My advice for anyone wanting to win this award would be to go out on the water even if it doesn't look nice, have the determination to sail every race, and have fun in the races. It doesn't matter what result you get but if you sail and come last place you are still beating the people on land. Consistency will help you become better in the long run and enjoying the sport, rather than stressing about races, will help build your love for sailing."
As well as fleet and handicap racing, there are several 'special' trophies to be won at Bass Week. One of those is the Dave Ovington Memorial Trophy, awarded to the best fast handicap boat over the 9 days of racing. Dave and his family were regular visitors to Bass Week and many winners of the 'Ovi trophy' have reflected on their racing in a book which accompanies the trophy, honouring Dave's contribution to sailing. Our final 'catch up' is with Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman, claiming their first Ovi Trophy in 2021. We asked Chris and Matt what that felt like to win the Ovi trophy, "Being the winners of the Dave Ovington Memorial Trophy at Bass Week 2021 came as a bit of a surprise to me and Matt. The trophy is awarded to the fast handicap boat with the best results over the week- an accumulation of pursuits, long distance, handicaps - the usual Bass Week mix up. We've been lucky enough to win a few trophies over the years but never one that comes with a journal for previous winners to reflect on their own Bass weeks and wins. We feel really fortunate to be able to have added our contribution. I was asked for tips for challengers to the trophy - I would suggest be prepared for sailing in a whole host of wind speeds and directions, try not to get too distracted by the beautiful scenery, the sound of the ice cream vans arrival and most of all have fun!"
Craftinsure Bass Week 2022 is guaranteed to be another smash hit with all the usual socials, discos, pizza and fish and chip vans and hopefully some SE wind and lots of sun. Entries are flooding in, with almost 100 boats entered so far. The buzzing Mirror/Topper/RSTera fleet are leading the way with 20 boats entered and more expected. Be sure to enter before June 4th when the fee's increase.