The temperature has jumped overnight, the wind direction is perfect for sailing around the lake, but the high pressure is likely to limit the wind strength.

However, the wind direction held, and the wind strengthened sufficiently for a course around the lake for all but the two slower fleets. The race was for the Martini Challenge Trophy sponsored by Leyland Leisure Sales.

The afternoon race was the RNLI pursuit sponsored by Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges. It was a unique occasion in that all boats were in the same leg of the course at the same time! Well that’s what happens when the wind eases on a 2 mile beat.

The pursuit finished on the 4th leg, 2nd beat of the course, and was won by Mike Fairlamb and Jack Hardie from Bass in a Graduate, with several other boats close on their tail.

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A three race series sponsored by Ginger Boats with an early start and low winds proved challenging for the OD (and series sponsor). As the day went on the wind bedded in, though there were still plenty of shifts to gain or lose places!

The fast handicap fleet were prone to pushing the start and had two general recalls.

A late afternoon flypast from a chinook left some sailors feeling the power of its downdraught. We can’t be certain whether a subsdequent capsize was due to the downdraught or a lack of concentration due to the flypast!

The second prize giving of the week was held early evening, followed by live music till late.

The light northerly breeze was relatively steady until some of fleets had set off, and then it started to swing… Also, there were some inexplicable light patches (even though it is Bass!), but the shifts meant there were opportunities for big gains while competing for the Dubwath Cup, sponsored by Carruthers and Kent Wines.

The afternoon breeze bedded in from the west for the Nairn Pursuit sponsored by Heavenly Fish and Chips. The winds held, there were more exciting reaches and planing conditions, and some very busy mark rounding! However, the sun was in regular attendance, and everyone enjoyed their day’s racing.

Graham Vials and daughter led the pursuit finishing their 90 minute race with a very convincing 210 second lead!

Champagne style conditions were the order of the day with a westerly F3 base wind.

In the morning there was a three race mini series for novice sailors that sailed a windward leeward course in 15 min races. The wind gusts strengthened for the final race resulting in a handful of capsizes. The racing was sponsored by Luchini’s Ice Cream.

After lunch the full fleet racing for the Luffing Cup sponsored by Shake, Waffle and Roll, continued in similar conditions, so sailors were able to enjoy some good planing for the first time during the regatta. No black clouds to disrupt the wind patterns today, but there were plenty sunny intervals!

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No sign of the storms at Bassenthwaite. Sunday started with mirror like conditions, so racing was delayed by 45 minutes allowing the wind to fill in from the west.

Despite the wind bedding in, shortly after the first start it eased considerably for 5-10 minutes before returning.

The wind for the afternoon race seemed to be bolstered by a sea breeze until a black cloud moved in, and reaches turned into beats, then it continued to veer until the initial beats were runs, and the wind finally faded prolonging the race for half the fleet.

Fortunately the black cloud didn’t dump any rain…

The first prize giving of the week for the weekend series followed.

A visit from the fish and chip, and waffle, vans, should re-energise the sailors in time for the hotly contested quiz evening!

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Another Bass Week is ready and raring to go. The camp site is buzzing and everyone is gathering again like long lost friends, together with visits by some wind and rain (unfortunately)!

However, the forecast wind and rain were keeping a low profile, for the first race (at least) which was completed without incident, though a windshift made the beats somewhat one sided.

With so many boats on the water, it is not surprising there was a bump or two, hopefully nothing serious though!

The wind was steadier in direction for the second race, the rain held off, and the sun started to break through the clouds, for a good conclusion to the day’s racing sponsored by CraftInsure

The evening entertainment will commence with the Commodore’s reception, followed by a disco till late.

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For those that have the energy, and planning ahead for next year, make sure you note that Bass Week will run from 5th to 13th Aug 2023 (as late as it gets!)

After big celebrations for the final beach party, there was a reduced turnout of just over 50 boats for the final race of the series and bringing the regatta to a close.

Commodore Jon Denwood opened the final prize giving by thanking all that had helped, both front and back of house, to prepare and deliver an excellent event.

After presenting the prizes for the weekend series, there were some special trophies presented to club sailors for their performance over the whole week.

• The Dave Ovington Trophy for best fast handicap – Mark Somerville and Joe Roberts
• Miners Trophy for best Flying 15 – Mike Moore
• HiJinx Trophy for best helm under 19 – Matthew Somerville
• Endeavour Trophy for best junior – Oliver Smith

At the end of the prize giving Nigel O’Donnell kindly gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the competitors.

A chilly but sunny day, with another WNW breeze was similar to Thursday’s conditions thought slightly lighter F2. The forecast showers, fortunately, missed the club.

The afternoon race was for juniors and seniors (how do they find the energy?), but, for a change, it wasn’t particularly wild!

After racing, the third prize giving took place before some competitors left to go home to recuperate.

The high winds of the previous couple of days had passed through, finally! For a change it was from WNW rather than the usual SW which enabled the courses to have a couple of extra long beats.

Again there was some great planing conditions, and numerous capsizes.

The clouds cleared, sun shone, wind freshened, and backed slightly, for the afternoon RNLI pursuit. The Mirrors held their lead until the final beat when Rob and Gemma Burridge in a Laser 2000 broke through to win overall.

Here’s a selection of photos of the week

Another blustery day for the one day, three race, series.

The largest fleet was the Mirror/Topper/Teras, and they pushed forward on the start resulting in a general recall.

There was some good reaches, and spectacular planing. The rescue crews were kept busy with the numerous capsizes.

The base with no strength eased as the afternoon went in, but there were still powerful gusts for more spectacular reaches.

The 2nd prize giving of the week was held after racing, and a restocked fish and chip van was on hand to reenergise many exhausted sailors, before dancing to live music.