Coniston SC 2006

Leigh & Lowton Juniors went travelling -
Who Checked the Forecast at Coniston

Junior sailors from around the North West made their way north to Coniston Hall where the advanced party had booked a (very nearly private) group area amidst trees. By 9 o’clock 18 units had pitched for a balmy summer evening a few yards from Coniston sailing club and renewed their acquaintances with the local dining haunts.

Dawn broke with a few stories of flat airbeds and loud snoring as fellow contestants (the ones with internet access to Weather forecasts & rain radar sites) drove up the M6 to join everyone for bacon butties and rigging to be part of the Coniston Water Festival.
Quote of the day 1 - when asked if he had heard the forecast before deciding to stay overnight "Don't let a little weather forecast put you off" - he is still drying his tent now!!!!
Three races were planned for the day , well spaced and making use of local racing marks, two separate courses one for the Optimists and one for the handicap fleet made up of Toppers, Laser radials, standards and 4.7’s. The briefing told the kids that not all the marks of the course were numbered and some of them might have the wrong numbers on, the fleet set off in a brisk wind for the first race. As has been the norm for this season, the lasers rounded the top mark first with Sophie in third not far behind the full rigs in her radial. The Hanson's were close on their heels with LLSC's girls in close pursuit. Disaster (for some) stuck at the end of the first lap when the Hanson's completely missed out the clubhouse mark and never returned, some other front runners followed, & Sarah rounded the club mark as 2nd Topper ahead of Laura, Daisy Alice et al - Must remember to give those Hansons some tips about tape, pens & making a note of the course!!.
The brisk breeze and Lumpy Lake persisited all day but plenty of effort by all the 38 strong entrants gave the shore crews plenty to watch as the visiting sailors competed an all the races. The second race produced a storming result from Laura Barnes who held her good first beat placing to finish fourth, to much jumping up and down from a proud Dad. He's decided the best tactic is to upset Laura before she leaves the shore so that she's so wound up she sails like a demon.

The third race started in the rain and by the end most of the juniors decided that they wouldn't want to swim in the lake like they did last year. Andrew made good progress during this race taking several boats during the course of the race, showing a considerable improvement on his reputation as the 'King of the Capsize'. Quote of the day no 2 - Andrew Price: "I didn't get to know the rescue crew this time". Chris Wheeler, first time in the NWJTT, really enjoyed it and got some tips from Daisy at the end of racing.
The squaddies took the chocolates in the Handicap fleet, but Laura managed to win a Whiskey Glass for Mike by coming 3rd U14, (& 1st non squad Topper) great sailing Laura. She was closely followed by Sarah, Daisy, Alice, Andrew Price, Gideon & Tom.

Most of the sailors went home that night leaving the hardy ones (Stotts, Keegans, Hewitts, Baldwins and the Wrigley's) to enjoy a barbeque under the Stotts gazebo where the rain failed to dampen the enjoyment followed by a get-together with the stalwarts from Redesmere in the Millington's tent palace. (Oh and by the way, the Baldwin's matress went down again!).

The Oppy fleet, now increased to 3 boats, was a little depleated in the first race due to the heavy conditions, however Lucy enjoyed an uncluttered line in what looked like a copybook start. Martin would have preferred the conditions to be a little lighter to be racing his newly acquired WinnerMK10 , he can't say that the dog ate his breakfast so a few extra Weetabix next time possibly. Chris Barnes has also recently acquired a fine racing Optimist & seemed to get more at home in it as the day wore on finishing the last 2 races - good to see him back on the water. Lucy took all 3 race wins to secure a Whisky Glass for herself.

Next event - Redesmere Sept 2nd - Awesome BBQ!!

Series Results so far - Leigh & Lowton Juniors in the top places of both Handicap & Optimist fleets

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