Flying Fifteen and GP14 Open at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club sponsored by Impact Marine

Bass Flying Fifteen and GP14 Open © William Carruthers

Bass Flying Fifteen and GP14 Open © William Carruthers

As those south of the shandy line baked in 30+ temperatures, 20 FF15s and 8 GP14s headed north to more modest temperatures and levels of cloud cover, for the Bassenthwaite Sailing Club 2022 FF15 and GP14 open meeting, generously sponsored by Impact Marine.

Given other events happening at the same time, the bumper fleet of 30 boats in total, enjoyed fine westerly and north westerly winds. As the nation cooled off on Saturday, the cold winds from the west built throughout the day, offering exciting off wind legs and the occasional capsize or broach for those caught off guard.

The FF15 fleet was made up of thirteen Bass entries, an excitable contingent from Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club (excellent news for bar takings), John McPeake and from Bryan Willis all the way from County Antrim Yacht Club in Northern Ireland and multiple world champion Steve Goacher and Tim Harper from Royal Windermere YC.

Start lines were busy with 20 boats vying for position although only one general recall was required. Race officer Hugh Godfrey and starter William Carruthers set fine courses, using all the available water with a variety of windward leeward and reaching legs. Three back to back races kept everyone focused, with fatigue starting to show towards the end of race three as tired arms struggled on the three sail reaches. At the end of day one it was Steve Goacher and Tim Harper who revelled in the fresh conditions, counting three 1st places. Close behind in a borrowed boat from the 90s was Mark Somerville and Robin Dawson counting two 2nd places and a 9th. In 3rd Mike Preston and Karl Sloane sailed consistently counting a two 3rds and a 4th overnight.

After that the fleet were close with 4th to 8th all within a point of each other. Sunday commenced with less breeze and a 10:30am start. After several general recalls and the sight of the black flag, Mike Preston and Karl Sloan were fast of the line and in the sometimes light and variable winds managed to keep ahead of Steve Goacher and Tim Harper to the finish.

The breeze built throughout the day and in the last race swung to the north enabling the race team to set a long leg to buoy six. Mike and Karl started cleanly and once again battled with Steve and Tim util the inevitable happened and they counted a well earned 2nd. Overall it was an easy win for Steve Goacher and Tim Harper from Royal Windermere YC, counting fours 1sts and finishing on four points. Mike Preston and Karl Sloane from Blackpool and Fleetwood YC finished a clear 2nd on nine points. In 3rd and first Bass boat was Neil Currie and Rory Yardley, sailing consistently and counting three 3rd places.

The eight GP14 entries included four Bass boats and visitors from Castle Semple SC in Scotland and multiclass superstar Matt Mee and Chris Robinson from Burghfield/ Blackpool and Fleetwood YC. Starting three minutes behind the FF15s, the GPs enjoyed more space on the start lines with no general recalls. Saturday was a testing day for some of the fleet, which included less experienced teams sailing their first open meeting.

Bass Flying Fifteen and GP14 Open - photo © William Carruthers

At the front of the fleet Matt Mee and Chris Robinson revelled in the planning conditions, claiming three easy wins. Similarly Dave Lawson and Joe Roberts from Bass sailed well to claim three 2nd places with sometimes a large gap back to 3rd. The lighter conditions on Sunday offered new opportunities throughout the fleet.

In the final race the fleet was much closer with lots of places changing at the front. Popular Bass members Val and Ken Bell lead for a short while, but it was Dave Lawson and Joe Roberts who managed to break the winning streak finished 1st, just seconds ahead of Matt Mee and Chris Robinson. Overall Matt and Chris claimed the overall win, counting four 1st places. Dave and Joe were first Bass boat and 2nd overall finishing on seven points. Counting a string of 3rd place finishes and in 3rd overall was Val and Ken Bell also from Bass.

At the prize-giving visitors thanked Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and the generous prizes sponsored by Impact Marine. Next up is the North West Junior Traveller open meeting on 16/17 July. Details can be found at webcollect.org.uk/bass-sc

Overall Results: