Published by the Open Canoe Sailing Group

Ullswater - Waiting For The Weather (GavinM)

The OCSG meet at Ullswater has acquired the reputation of being one of the highlights of the OCSG calendar. The constants of some of the finest Lakeland scenery, a very hospitable sailing club in a beautiful location, a superb Saturday night meal and high OCSG attendance make for a great weekend. And so it proved again on the 11th and 12th of July. The only uncertain factor being the weather.

On Friday evening, forecasts of rain and strong winds from Saturday lunchtime created an uninviting prospect for the next day. However, as is often the case, the weather front had different ideas about the timing of its arrival and the first drops of rain didn't make an appearance until dusk. So Saturday remained fine and sunny with light to moderate winds complete with gusts, holes and 180 degree shifts as the breeze eddied around the hills in true Ullswater fashion.

21 sailing canoes gathered on the beach north of the main club slipway. Some pottered, some set off for Glenridding, at the far south end of Ullswater and two OCSG members, WalterG and AndyD, took to the water for the first time in their newly

The lake from the camp(ervan) site above the sailing club.

purchased Shearwaters. Walter having recently bought JimB's Shearwater and Andy, a new Solway Dory Shearwater, ordered at the Beale Park Thames Boat Show. Sadly, ill health has meant that Jim has had to retire from sailing - selling both his boats. It may well be that his Osprey catamaran is still for sale. So if anyone is looking for a fast cruising and racing boat at the bargain price of £500 you may want to give Jim a call.

The OCSG meet coincided with an International Sailing Canoe meet at Ullswater Yacht Club. So, some of us spent some time watching these 10 metre mainsail area, race-bred second cousins of our sailing canoes, on the water. The International Sailing Canoe website history section provides a good account of the development of the International Sailing Canoe, starting from cruising sailing canoes such as the MacGregor.

The meal, on Saturday evening, exceeded everyone's high expectations. So thanks again to the ladies at Ullswater Yacht Club who cooked and cheerfully served up such a fine meal and also to AnnM and JohnE for organising the individual menu choices for each OCSG member. Impromptu musical performances on the veranda followed the meal with Walter's lively rendition of some Ukulele classics followed by a Cajun sounding (at least to the author's untrained ear) AndyD on Melodeon and ClaireD on flute with the company moving indoors as the first drops of rain fell. Andy and Claire are new OCSG members, from Sussex - so welcome and we hope to see you again at another meet soon.

Sunday dawned grey and overcast with frequent showers. However, undeterred, the first of two races started at around 11.00. The plan was for one or two laps depending on how long the first lap lasted - if less than one hour there would be a second lap. The lead was hotly contested throughout the two laps of the course, which took the contestants across the lake and up towards Pooley Bridge before returning along the eastern shore. Ann and KeithM and also Katherine and GavinM elected to sail 'two up' with 5 metre (53.8 sq ft) Bermudans. Note: the OCSG racing rules allow canoes racing double-handed to have an extra 14 sq ft of sail area (so up to 58 sq ft instead of 44). The first downwind leg, towards Pooley Bridge, was particularly competitive, with the lead changing at least five times. At various points, in the first lap, KeithM, DaveS, RodL, GavinM, DaveM and SteveR were in the lead. Coming up to the line after 58 minutes, DaveS attempted to secure victory by slowing down to pass the line after 1 hour had elapsed (meaning there would only be one lap). However, his attempt at gamesmanship failed as he was in danger of being overtaken by KeithM so was forced to cross the line after 58 minutes and 50 seconds and then, shortly afterwards, was overtaken by Keith. After an equally hard fought second lap, DaveS regained the lead and was first over the line followed by SteveR and then Keith and Ann.

It is interesting to note, at the front of the fleet, the 5 metre Bermudans, double-handed, were such an even match for the 44 sq ft standard OCSG racing sails. The author thinks sailing double-handed with his high aspect 58 sq ft Bermudan might give him an extra edge - so is very tempted to try this in a race soon.

The second race was a 'reverse order race' with first race non-contestants going off first followed by the contestants of the first race starting in reverse order of their first race positions, at one-minute intervals. An exciting race ensued with some of the leaders of the first race fighting to gain on the rest of the fleet. However, Claire and AndyD, sailing double-handed with a 44 sq ft sail, emerged as the clear winners. This must be an OCSG record - two new members finishing first in the first race they completed! Congratulations Andy and Claire.

Finally, thanks again to Ullswater Sailing Club for hosting a very

Waiting for the off in the reverse order race.

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