Sunday was race day and, as has been the case a few times this year, it started with virtually no wind. However, by 10.00 it had picked up a bit and with the briefing set for 10.30 things were looking promising. There was also a hint of sunshine!! Come 10.30 and the wind was still very light but, ever hopeful, a course was set. This was to go south down the lake to the 6 knot buoy about 1 mile from Lakeside, back up through the start line and then north to the sampling station buoy about 1.5 miles north before re-crossing the start line to finish.
Eight boats signed up for the race with the rest of the group opting for an island-hopping cruise to Bowness. There was a slight breeze at 11.00 and the race started with a heat over the line. DaveS was off to a good start closely followed by DaveP and Jeff. There was only one multihull in the race, Steve, and this was seen to be doing strange things well behind the start line even after most of the race fleet had crossed it. It later transpired that Steve had collided with Jan and, it being his fault, he had done a 720-degree turn as a self-imposed penalty. Very noble!!
Just after the start the wind died again and it looked as if the policy of terminating the race after the first 'loop' if the leaders were not through in less than an hour would have to be implemented. However, DaveP led the race through after 54 minutes so it was all go for the next loop to the north. DaveS was 48 secs off the lead and Jeff was 80 secs behind him. Jan brought up the rear with Steve beginning to make up for lost ground.
It was basically a run to the northern mark and DaveP increased his lead on DaveS, rounding the mark well in front. The wind appeared to be behaving itself at last but, of course, it was only fooling us and turned flukey again on the final leg back to Lakeside. DaveP made a tactical error which allowed DaveS to edge ahead at the line and also Jeff almost pipped him for second place. Steve made a storming finish to just beat Jan who had caught up a lot of time on the last leg. After such a long race it was remarkable how little time separated first and last. Just to prove how fickle the wind could be, the boats were on a dead run as they crossed the finish line. An hour earlier they had crossed it in the opposite direction also on a run!
There was no enthusiasm for a second race and as the sun came out a leisurely lunch was taken followed by yet another trip to Fellfoot for afternoon tea. A perfect end to the weekend. Our thanks to Steve and DaveS for organising another great meet at this excellent venue.
Island Hopping On Windermere (WalterG)
Sunday morning broke calmly and quietly; a soft grey cloud covered the tranquil scene. There was no wind! I rather like a good race in windy conditions; it tests your mettle, boat and rigging. But in calm conditions, with butterflies passing you, it hardly seems that RACE is the right word. Rigor mortis would be more applicable.
Let the wind take you whither it will and paddle whither it won't!
Windermere is a lovely lake and I fancied visiting some of the little islands. Four others decided to do the same. The group was made up of myself in a double outrigger ketch rig, JohnS in his rustic single outrigger, Nigel in his single outrigger kayak, DaveT in the monohull ketch rig with the golden sails, and new member Andy in his Balloc-rigged Klepper Long Haul.
After the racers set off south, the cruising group set off north. The sailing was slow and pleasant
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