insurance4dinghies Bassweek Regatta at Bassenthwaite SC - Days 8 & 9
by Mik Chappell 12 Aug 2012 21:19 BST
4-12 August 2012
It was again fine and mainly sunny for the final series at insurance4dinghies Bassweek Regatta, the Cutty Sark Challenge Trophy sponsored by Lloyd Motor Group. A number of competitors who were unable to come mid-week turned up to boost the entries replacing some boats which had left for other meetings, particularly the GP14's, several of which had left for their Worlds. There were over one hundred starters and the Flying Fifteens ended up as virtually the largest class with no less than sixteen entries.
At last the wind had kicked in, a medium strength south easterly which meant it was blowing straight down the lake. In Race one the OD used its full length for the first time in the Regatta with the majority of fleets beating three miles or so, although the slower ones were turned at the halfway marks. Although three races were scheduled for the Saturday, the wind direction was too good to miss out on and all were, again, sent down the Lake on the next two occasions.
Sunday's final race was more of the same although the wind was somewhat stronger and gustier in certain patches. Whether this is what prompted a fair number of competitors to stay ashore, whether it was the previous night's social events, or whether it was the need to pack boat and kit away for an early departure was not clear. It's likely to have been all three in some cases!
The finale had a twist in it and the previously decorated flagpole halyard a knot! This meant the shortened course flag went (part way) up just in time to finish the first Fast Handicap boat. But, the following Fifteens didn't see it blowing directly away from the Lake. They claimed not to hear the finishing hooter either so did another superfluous lap! It was deemed by some to be a "lap of honour" but one helm, who had made up a couple of places on it, was not amused when he, and the others, failed to get a finish the next time around. It's rumoured that he was told he needed the exercise!
Full results can be found at www.bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk. A summary of the lead positions is shown below.
The Cutty Sark Challenge Trophy: (sponsored by Lloyd Motor Group)
Fast Handicap
1. Phillipa Benson / Caitlin Ross, 29er (Solway)
2. Paul & Jude Allen, RS400 (Leigh & Lowton)
Flying Fifteen
1 Steve Goacher / Phil Evans (Royal Windermere)
2 Simon Longstaff / Jonathan Denwood (Bassenthwaite)
RS200
1. Phil & Naomi Smith (Bassenthwaite)
2. Dave & Jackie Gebhard (Derwent Reservoir)
Laser
1. Barney Broach (Port Dinorwic)
2. Tom Keegan (Leigh & Lowton)
Medium Handicap
1. Tom & Robert Stewart, National 12 (Northampton)
2. Mark Somerville, RS Vareo (Bassenthwaite)
Enterprise
1. Mark Ninnim / Thea Armstrong (Bassenthwaite)
2. Scott Bilham / Jack Cammann (Ely)
GP14
1. Mike Fairlamb / Joe Roberts (Bassenthwaite)
2. Val & Ken Bell (Bassenthwaite)
Slow Handicap
1. Mark & Sam Platt, Graduate (Bolton)
2. Chris Parker / Katie Ross, Graduate (Solway)
Mirror
1. John Telford (Bassenthwaite)
2. Dave & Ed Coady (Derwent Reservoir)
Topper
1. Oliver Blackburn (Pennine)
2. Michael Platt (Bolton)