Flying 15 Northern Championship 2024 at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club

Northern Area Champions, Charles and Charlie Apthorp - Flying 15 Northern Championship at Bass © William Carruthers

Race 1 winners, Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett - Flying 15 Northern Championship at Bass © William Carruthers

Race 2 winners, Andy Tunnicliffe and Ian Hopwood - Flying 15 Northern Championship at Bass © William Carruthers

An excellent turnout of 50 boats for the Flying 15 Northern Championship, after high winds over the last couple of days, were greeted with plenty of sunshine and a mirror like lake, with a forecast of F1 from the east.

At 11am the AP was raised as there was little chance of the racing starting at the scheduled start time of 12 Noon. By 11.30, there was signs of the wind filling in from the southern end of the lake, and the OD, sailing secretary John Reekie, went out to investigate. 10 mins later he returned and advised the AP would be removed at 12 Noon with a view to starting at 12.45pm.

In order to find steadier winds, the OD had to head as far south as Bowness bay, some 2 miles away from the club launch area! Although the wind was F4-5, it was from the SSW, nothing like the forecast, and the OD was concerned that it would not last too long, especially as there was a risk of the sea breeze having a dramatic effect on sailing conditions.

Having the course so far down the lake caused issues for the race management team because the lake is so much deeper, and extended warps for start marks, as well as course buoys. The depth and swell required two anchors to enable the committee boat to stay on station!

Despite the advice for sailors to get launched, it was after 1pm before everyone was in the starting area, and racing could get under way.

The fleet was given the chance of a soft, unrestricted, P flag start, only for it to be thrown away by the need for a general recall. The next start used the U flag for which four boats were disqualified due to being OCS, including several Bass boats, and race leader Andy Tunicliffe/Ian Hopwood, so no favouritism there!

The windward/leeward course did not offer any planing conditions, but the wind held, and resulted in various crash tacks/collisions.

The U flag did not curb sailors' enthusiasm on the start line so, after another general recall, the black flag was used for subsequent races.

Unexpectedly, the F4 last for the first two races, then eased slightly for the next race, after which various sailors convinced themselves that was the end, but the OD wanted to make best use of the available wind as Sunday's forecast was not at all promising. A fourth race was started in F2 but, after rounding the windward mark, there was clear risk of it fading if the race was prolonged, so it was shortened at the end of the first lap.

On Sunday there was a delay until the wind filled in, after which the OD invited the fleet on to the water, aiming for a 11.10am start. A course was set up, then moved, and moved again as the wind veered towards the east. It later backed towards the forecast northerly direction, but apart from the gusts it rarely reached 5mph so by 12.30pm the fleet headed ashore as the wind faded.

At 1pm, the wind had filled in from the NE, but with little prospect of the minimum desired wind bedding in, racing was postponed for the day.

The prize-giving followed with thanks to all by Commodores Ian and Andrea Preston.

Charles Apthorp previously won the Northerns all the way back in 1998 with his brother David, and now today with his son Charlie.

More photos at bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk/f15-northerns-2024

Overall Results:

Commodore Ian Preston with Jonathan Bullen - Flying 15 Northern Championship at Bass - photo © William Carruthers

Race 3 winners, Charles and Charlie Apthorp - Flying 15 Northern Championship at Bass - photo © William Carruthers