Results / GUL Grand Prix Bassenthwaite SC - 24/09/2011

Saturday morning dawned grey; there was mist but very little in the way of ‘mellow fruitfulness’. Eventually the rain cleared but the forecast breeze failed to materialise.

The 8 race series got underway at 13:00 in a modest F2 Westerly, with competitors grateful for the watery sunshine. The high quality RS200 fleet enjoyed close racing, with positions constantly changing, as any mistakes were ruthlessly punished. Chris Pickles and Laura Westell showed good early form, winning from Mike Saul and Meg fletcher.

The Vareo fleet boasted 3 sailors who were in the top 10 at the recent Vareo nationals, but Mark Somerville established the dominant form that was to see him win this event without dropping a point. Mike Cowan was second and Andrew Cutting third.

The wind picked up for the second race with some good planing gusts appearing at intervals. In the RS200s positions were reversed, with Mike Saul winning from Chris Pickles with Phil and Naomi Smith, from the home club, in third.

After lunch conditions were very pleasant with the sun strengthening and the gusts being a little more frequent. Races 3 and 4 were sailed back to back. In the fourth race Mike Saul and Meg Fletcher again took line honours, this time from Robin and Ethan Dawson who had their best race of the weekend, with Chris Pickles back in fourth. However, in the fourth race Chris was back in front, from Neil Barrett and Sophie Jones, with Mike Saul only managing fifth.

In the Vareo fleet Mark Somerville continued to dominate, but first Andrew Cutting and then Phil Davenport managed to relegate Mike Cowan to third.

Overnight in the RS200s Chris Pickles and Mike Saul were on equal points and almost everyone in the fleet had a result they would prefer to forget.

In the Vareos Mark Somerville had already established a commanding lead.

On Sunday morning the wind had picked up, as it was forecast to do, and the Race Officer took the fleet a mile up the lake where the breeze was more stable. Two great races were sailed back to back in warm sunshine and a good planing breeze. Conditions reminded some competitors of Lake Garda, surrounded as they were by mountains. Chris Pickles won both races in the RS200s, putting himself into the driving seat, with Mike Saul picking up a second and a third. In the Vareos Mark Somerville had another two bullets to wrap up the series with Mike Cowan clinching the runners up spot with a second and the third.

After lunch the wind continued to strengthen, and by the time the fleet went afloat conditions had become testing, with plenty of capsizes providing rescue crews with some exercise.

Only three Vareos ventured out, but before reaching the start they decided that with nothing to play for, it wasn’t worth risking breakages and returned home.

In the RS200s Robin and Ethan Dawson decided that they didn’t have the weight or strength for the conditions and remained ashore. Chris Pickles and Laura Westell continued to impress with two more wins, despite a capsize downwind in Race 8. They ended the event comfortable winners, with Mike Saul and Meg Fletcher in second.