The final fling has been flung, and the final day is upon us. Would the weather be kind and allow the winds to ease to let us have the one more race? Time would reveal all very soon.

Through the wind was freshening again, when the OD set the start line, the base wind strength was no more than Saturday afternoon, though there were strong gusts passing through which seemed to last longer and longer.

Various fleets had believed the forecast and packed away their boats, so the number of boats sailing was well down, but those that did race had to work had to cope with the gusts and backers on the beat, and enjoyed some more spectacularly breathtaking reaches.

In the Enterprises, Mark Ninnim did his best to lead Roystan Taggart astray by rounding the wrong mark, though if Roystan had kept his head (and not tried to knock crew Steve’s off on the first tack!) he could have taken advantage of the situation to win the series.

At the final prize giving of the week, Commodore Mark Somerville thanked all involved in the preparation, running and participation during the week for making such a great event worthwhile. His wife Kirstie presented the prizes, and Nigel O’Donnell thanked the club on behalf of the visitors for all the efforts in delivering the regatta.

Similarly John Spittle has created a gallery site where you can purchase his photos: http://johnspittle.smugmug.com/

Is this the calm before the storm? A day of sunshine with winds building as the day goes on, and the risk of rain moving in. Perhaps a some awnings and tents will be taken down early?

Certainly had the sunny day, and the wind built up as time went on. The early southerly gave the OD a false sense of security and veered more to the SW soon after the start of the first race resulting in some calmer spots on the course. By the 2nd race the wind had steadied to the SW and strengthened leading to various capsizes and spectacular reaches. The cloud moved in by the 3rd race, blown in by the increasing force 4 winds which caused more capsizes, broaching F15s, and boats flattened while beating!

The forecast for Sunday isn’t good so various awnings have been taken down in the better weather, but this is Bass, anything could happen….

More good weather was lined up for the day’s racing, though the morning started with mirror like conditions the wind filled in for the morning race and was accompanied by a load of sunshine. Once racing was underway, OD Nick broke out the drinks and pork pies for the committee boat!

Not only did the Flying 15 fleet have some protest provoking incidents, there was a dead heat between locals Neil Currie and Simon Longstaff.

The afternoon race was for Ladies, Juniors and Seniors which was won by Mike Fairlamb and Eric Smith in the Senior category.

Bass Has Talent will be the warmup entertainment before some live music.

The strong winds and rain have passed through but there’s still enough to exercise those muscles a bit more…

The rain held off for another day, and the winds kept sailors happy. Perhaps they were glad not to be going around the lake for the fourth day in a row?

On shore the RNLI were plying their wares as the afternoon pursuit race was in aid of the RNLI. Thomas Donald in a RS Tera led the pursuit from the start of the 100 minute race, only losing out in the final throes finishing a commendable 15th overall. The winner was Steve and Sarah Cockerill in a 2000 with Ben Pickering in a Blaze 2nd.

After racing we enjoyed the sight of Swallow and Amazon battling it out in a mini race between the Lawson brothers and crewed by two sailing doubles from the new film! Swallow took the honours on this occasion…

What do the weather gods have in store for us today? The forecast isn’t good…

With the wind from the SW, Sale Fell was having its inimitable effect on the racing area in the northern bay so the OD opted to use the southern part of the lake which appeared to have a more consistent direction, and stronger winds. Although those two aspects were true, after the race started at Scarness, the fleets endured varied conditions as there were lulls, then gusts, some of which were major shifts capsizing boats in backwards. Fortunately there were only brief spells of drizzle in the morning, but the conditions were forecast to change in the afternoon.

Indeed the forecast was right. The wind picked up, and the horribly wet drizzle moved in, putting a number of sailors off venturing out. Those that did go out did well to stay upright, but there were many strong gusts that flattened even the better sailors. All that endured and survived various gusts off wind enjoyed some fantastically fast and spectacular spinnaker legs.

The second prizegiving was held which was followed by some live music and then someone spotted a Pokemon….

With a bit of luck, we will be getting more of the same today – dry and sunny spells with good sailing winds, but how long can it last?

With a Southerly wind direction the OD was able to send the fleets around the lake again, and that was just for the morning race! The strength was stronger and more consistent than Monday, but still needed the right skills to find the right route, as proved by Graham Kirkpatrick and Alan Smith in a F15 when they led the fleet home!

The Southerly continued for the afternoon pursuit race, so the Teras, which were first to start, led the fleet up to mark 10, back down to mark 2, and were 10 mins from the finish when they were passed by two Bass GPs. It was to be Mike Fairlamb and Eric Smith (Alan’s brother) that won and will be picking up the Trophy.

All was not over, as an evening race tempted out 23 boats for the final race of the day. Though a few showers were seen to pass over Skiddaw, fortunately, the course itself was only briefly affected by some drizzle. On handicap there was a tie between Ben Hill in a Graduate and Dave & Jackie Gebherd in a F15.

On shore, a cocktail party will help the ‘Bride to be’ celebrate her forthcoming wedding!

Today’s racing is scheduled for the afternoon to give newcomers a chance to set up their boats. At least it will give the wind a chance to freshen. Will the OD opt for to send the fleet around the lake? Time will tell…

As race time approached the wind started to fill in from the NW and ran down the lake, so the OD opted for the most straightforward of courses 1-12-S-0. Very easy to remember, but the downside being it’s a long way between the marks.Though the faster fleets started in a good breeze, the wind started to waiver soon after, slowing down the boats in the northern bay, but it filled in again, so all seemed good. The lead fast handicap boat reappeared at Scarness in just after an hour’s racing, but other boats were to suffer in light/calm patches further down the lake. Indeed, Neil Currie in a Flying was home and ashore before the next F15 was even in sight at Scarness!

Some slower boats took almost twice as long as the leaders, and were worried about missing their booking at The Pheasant!

The sunny weather continued throughout the afternoon, and there was a delightful appearance of some iridescent cloud

Some live music tonight to entertain the sailors.

Hopefully a bit more wind tomorrow, but it comes with the risk of rain!

Another glorious morning, started with a mirror-like lake, but the forecast is for more great sailing winds. Just hope the risk of rain holds off!

The rain did hold off, the sun shone, and the wind picked up as the day went on. A few boats were pushing the start line and recalled, and a short first beat into a lee shore led to some congestion at the first mark, but racing was good and competitive, with some thrilling gusts to keep sailors on their toes.

Paul and Jude Allen, leaders in the fast handicap fleet, opted for a lunchtime siesta that overran a lttle such that they woke to see their competition preparing to start. All they could do was hope that vice commodore Robin Dawson was back on form to win the race and prevent main opposition, Wayne and Deb Fletcher, from snatching the trophy from them. It was not to be…

The first prize giving of the week rewarded the best of the 150 competitors with The ONE Gin (to adults) as the series was generously sponsored by The Lakes Distillery.

The evening entertainment was the annual quiz night and the winners were a team with ‘more members than the average Carlisle United crowd’!

Today’s the day the regatta starts, with the Jennings Challenge weekend series, sponsored by our main sponsors The Lakes Distillery. If the forecast holds, it could be a blowy start to the event, but it is Bassenthwaite, so almost anything could happen!

A light morning shower was blown away as the wind filled in resulting in some good winds, although shifty, for the afternoon racing. There was a good turnout of 140 boats for the first day, various capsizes, bumps, and gear failures, but hey that’s sailing!

Commodore’s reception will oil the wheels before the first disco of the week.

Though damp overnight, the gates opened for Bass Week 2016 and the sun and warmth flooded in. Through the day sailors from across the country battled through traffic jams, and road closures, all for the love of Bass Week, setting up their tents, caravans, awnings, motorhomes and boats!

After a busy day like like all that was left was to dine, either in the clubhouse with the caterers, or get out BBQs, and then watch the beautiful scenery and changing colours of Skiddaw as the sun went down.

What more could anyone want?

Don’t forget meals are available next Friday evening – eat in and takeaway 

Book here

Themed T-shirts and hoodies are now available to pre-order at discounted rates until 23 July.

Order here

If you want some further information of the regatta, it is now available to view and download here