This years 'Weekender' event was tweeked so as to run as two separate race events.
The club was pleased to welcome five guests from Largs MBC, Scotland to join us on the Saturday with their Sixes and get a feel for sailing on a larger piece of water than their home lake. They enjoyed themselves so much they decided to stay for the Sunday as well! A report by John Sharman with photos from John, Mike Ewart, Ian Hawtin, Shaun Holbeche, and Peter Chester. On Saturday we hosted 13 6m yachts from Scotland, Devon, Two Islands and Fleetwood . That day started with no wind and rain but a northerly wind built and went west-ish, so we could use 3/4 of the lake. At midday the wind went back north and we zig zagged to get a course. After lunch the sun started to break through everyone divested themselves of waterproofs and eventually fleeces as full sunshine lit up the lake and the breeze started to go west again. 16 races were completed and some visitors went off to sample the delights of Blackpool. Shaun Holbeche took 1st place, Derek Priestley 2nd, with John Sharman 3rd. The second day of the 6m open weekend started with one extra boat as Garry Benson was able to attend. However, he had issues setting up his boat and missed some early races. The day saw more breeze than Saturday but mainly from the NE. (We call this locally as ‘over the pumping station corner’). A biased leg start was set to accommodate this, and it worked quite well until the predicted swing through north towards the west commenced and lunch was taken. After lunch the wind was north-westerly and a course similar to yesterday was set. The breeze filled a little later and became a true westerly for the last races. This caused issues for some boats and retirements commenced due to breakages. The last 2 races where close to top end of the rigs in use and where quite exciting. Shaun Holbeche won the day with Derek Priestley taking 2nd, John Sharman 3rd and Mike Ewart one point behind in 4th. Everyone enjoyed the weekend and we look forward to hosting the forthcoming National Championship. This is on the 3rd and 4th of June with the clubhouse open on Friday afternoon to commence registration and measurement. |