Bassenthwaite Open & Northern Travellers 3

Nine Mirrors were part of the twenty-nine boats across three fleets that descended on Bassenthwaite Lake for a one day open meeting. The forecast was set for a strong breeze and some thunder and lightening.

However, the weather proved to be a very mixed bag ranging from bright and sunny to dull and drizzle/rain. The wind was very erratic and every time the Principal Race Officer set a line, the wind swung drastically. After about half an hour of delays, the line was set, the wind again swung, but the OD opted to get racing underway despite the challenge of a running start in light airs. The wind continued to swing and many boats had to beat on each leg of the triangular course!

After the first race there was a lunch break and the wind came in with fits and starts. It seemed that an earlier SE breeze was settling in, and race 2 got underway. It wasn't long before the wind swung again with Sale Fell partially shadowing the course, and turning the beat into a fetch.

After yet another wind swing to the west, the last race race wasn't looking promising when the wind faded for the Laser start, but it did freshen, settle in direction and resulted in the best sailing conditions of the event.

Although Henry and Jamie Rastrick from Ripon had a poor first race, they pulled it together and improved over the following races finishing with a net 3 pts, the same as David and Edward Coady from Derwent Reservoir. The tie was split in the Rastrick's favour on the last race.

Special mention has to go to two young mirror crews Erin Dawson aged 9 and Lily Smith aged 4 from Bassenthwaite who not only entered their first open meetings, but persevered despite the horrible weather.

Overall Results: