Winter Series - Races 16, 17 & 18 - Report

Published 10:08 on 4 Dec 2025

With snow covered peaks, crystal clear visibly and brilliant sunshine, Ullswater's scenery at it spectacular best for races 16,17 and 18 of the Winter Series. But racing was only made possible both by Selina Priestley and Lilian Adams who stepped in at the last minute for an absent Race box team, and the volunteer Safety Boat team of Wil Prince and Phil Holland. Phil's photos which captured the magic of the day can be found on The UYC Members Only FaceBook page.

The first race began in about 8kts from the SW with the 11 boat fleet setting off on a course to Bonscale then Harbour and back to the Club. However, the legs to and from Bonscale turned into long reaches as the wind soon shifted to the west . . then died as the leading boats were on the second lap. At this point the race team wisely shortened course allowing the following boats to finish after 1 lap but with the faster boats on the water finishing up to 50 minutes later. Steve Hatton won on handicap in his K1 with the ever consistent Andy McAle in his ILCA 6, second.

After an enforced lunch break in the surprisingly mild sunshine on shore the wind returned with a steady 8 to 10kts from the south west, allowing two brisk half hour races on a windward-leeward course between Thwaite and Bay. Both were won by Andy McAle by corrected time margins of six seconds and 23 seconds from the also consistent Jon Abbatt and Chris Mulholland in their Flying 15.

Going to the final weekend Andy McAle leads the series in which 28 boats have so far competed, from John Abbatt and Chris Mullholland. The somewhat less consistent Keith Lockey and Paul Adams sailing a VX One currently sit in third place overall, closely followed by Robin Higgins and Pete in their Tempest.

Last updated 10:08 on 4 December 2025