Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

13 visitors joined the 10 home sailors at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club’s inaugural Laser open meeting and were met by typically perfect conditions at Grimwith reservoir with a F4-5 from the north west leading to full on tactical sailing upwind and blasting reaches and runs. As folk rigged in the lee of Yorkshire Dale’s nearly complete and fabulous new club house, it was great to see the Laser sailors from yesteryear like the Escritt brothers chatting to new and young sailors in the club’s fastest growing fleet. Visitors sailing at Grimwith for the first time seemed suitably impressed.

The first start with a port biased line was recalled after just a few boats were behind the line. The black flag soon appeared and remained for the rest of the day. The excellent OOD Jonathan Lister was taking no nonsense. The fleet stood back at the next start and was soon headed by Stuart Belfield from Leigh and Lowton. His upwind speed was impressive and he led to the finish. Finishing behind was Glynn Purnell, a delighted John Simms (note the age of his boat) and the ever young Keith Escritt, back in a Laser despite his better judgement.

Race 2 saw Stuart romp to another bullet and he was looking unbeatable. Ian Lees made amends for a his first race with a 2nd followed by John’s son Adam Simms and Keith Escritt racking up another 4th before retiring to his oxygen tent.

 Race 3 saw the Stuart and Glyn one-two again, this time followed by Adrian Thear from West Riding and the improving Ian Escritt who was tracking impressively upwind despite his lighter build. Race 4 got away cleanly despite everyone pushing the line. Clive Harries made a decent start which made a change from his various disasters including several capsizes and rule indiscretions including port tacking virtually every windward mark….. which went down well. However, it was local sailor Terry Pressdee who pumped a flyer out left and reached into the windward mark to lead the fleet round the first lap. Attempting the same next lap was less successful. Keith wheezed into the lead but Stuart soon showed his dominance to take a straight fourth bullet followed by Keith, Ian Lees and Glyn.

So, a great day in fantastic conditions topped off with the club’s usual generous prize giving. Next year will be even better with the addition of showers, panoramic views and Pimms from the top tier of the new clubhouse. Fabulous.

More photos available on the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club website.