Author: Richard Catchpole

L&L Juniors on the road

Leigh & Lowton youngsters performed very well at the recent Eric Twiname event hosted by Rutland Sailing Club, an event won by the Northern Squads!! https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/217152/Eric-Twiname-Junior-Championships-winners-crowned Harvey Leigh was on the podium in 3rd place in the Laser 4.7s, with Bruno Nicholas and Will Rowland also performing well in the same fleet. John Bridgeman had a great weekend and almost got himself on podium, finishing 5th in a very compact leaderboard while Ben Welfare finished 25th in his first ET...

Wild end to RS400 Winter Championships at LLSC!

There was an awesome turnout of 26 boats  for the RS400 Rope4Boats and Rooster Winter Championship hosted by LLSC over the weekend of 23/24th March. As crews were rigging their boats a quick look around the dinghy park made them aware of the high quality of competition present and the anticipation grew nicely as the breeze gently eased up to a force 2 gusting 3 for the first race. The first start was abandoned by the PRO’s Gareth & Jenny...

A spectacular day to sign off on the Marlow Tipsy Icicle Series!

After the howling gales of the previous week caused racing to be abandoned, sailors attending the final day of the Marlow Tipsy Icicle Series were treated to a hard but satisfying days sailing to finish with.  Gusts of 30 knots were recorded by Peter Baldwin’s race team with the first race generally in the 18 knot range turning down a notch or two in the afternoon to finish at 13 knots, even dropping to 8 knots for one lap in...

Marlow Ropes Icicle Series Week 9 – unpredictable weather conditions keep competitors guessing

Sailors were surprised to be drifting around the lake for the first race of the day when the predicted southerly wind died away to practically nothing after a couple of starts had got away.  OOD Mike Baldwin and team had just enough wind to give everyone a lap of racing, except for the juniors who were shortened after just 3 legs were complete.  Everyone was relieved to see the breeze fill in from the east during lunch and after some...

Mist clears to bring light zephyrs to Marlow Tipsy Icicle

The warm southerly winds continue to track across the country with spring conditions once again greeting the 50+ strong fleet for the LLSC Marlow Tipsy Icicle Series.  Dry suits were discarded as competitors sweltered in this Northern tropical heat, but competitors had to wait an extra hour for the mist to clear and the breeze to fill before sailing got underway. OOD Peter Baldwin and his team were tested hard again; a short beat across the flash inevitably led to...

Boat Maintenance workshop by 1st Mark

Thanks to Mark and Carrie for a very educational evening, we all learn a lot of useful tips, and also some of our potential limitations! Mark Hardy, from 1st Mark was on hand to demonstrate hull repairs and polishing techniques to help repair our commodore’s pre-prepared sample (courtesy of Andy Flitcroft)!!

Spring sunshine comes early to the Flash

3 good races in sparkling warm conditions gave the 60+ competitors for the week 7 of the Marlow Tipsy Icicle plenty to smile about.  A tricky cross-wind and some very keen starters gave the OOD Peter Baldwin and his team some headaches getting the fleets away.  9 knots, gusting 14 in the first race gave occasional planning conditions and while the breeze faded to 7 gusting 10 later in the day.  With may boats on the lake and no windward-leeway...

Marlow Tipsy Icicle Series re-ignites with a bang!

After weeks of no wind, too much wind and ice had curtailed racing in the Marlow series the weather gods were finally kind(ish) as competitors were treated to 16-26 knots of breeze straight down the lake for 3 consecutive races.  It was hairy conditions for all and there were thrills and spills aplenty across the day with 68 boats in the first race but only 30 making the final start line of the day.  The OOD team and rescue had...

Marlow Ropes Show comes to LLSC

Tom, James and Mark (from 1st Mark chandlers) educated the audience on the way modern ropes are designed and the intense development pressures being imposed by modern high tech, higher powered flying machines. Thanks to all at Marlow Ropes for an entertaining evening and their sponsorship of the Marlow Ropes Tipsy Icicle Series at LLSC this year.

Leigh & Lowton Junior Winter Regatta 2019

Leigh & Lowton Junior Winter Regatta 2019 46 entries for the 2019 Junior Winter Regatta at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club was a great turnout considering the strong winds forecast for the day.  Competitors were treated to some fantastic conditions with 14-18 knots blowing straight down the flash, giving plenty of spills and thrills for parents to watch from the clubhouse. Winds were forecast to gust to 25+ knots and escalate during the day, so the OOD Richard Catchpole and...