Four teams from Bass made the journey to the Yorkshire Dales for the rescheduled Brass monkey, the fifth event as part of the Winter Sail Juice Series – Ethan & Robbie D (200), Bean & Na (200) Mark and Joe (400) and Banter & Toggle (400). Unfortunately Bean was ill and couldn’t compete.
Competitors were met by the early mist which saw racing postponed to 11:30.
Eventually getting away they enjoyed a very shifty SE F2 to F4 with 2 races as planned. The 80 boats were divided into 3 starts with FH, MH & SH, and a separate start for lasers, the results all being worked out on PY at the conclusion.
In race one Scumper/Joe battled hard with Chris Pickles and finished 2nd 400 and a very strong 15th overall. Banter/Tog struggled to work out the starting signals and started 3 mins after the rest of the FH fleet putting them down the rankings.
In the MH fleet the Dawson’s put pay to an excellent start and capsized just after mark 3 trying to tack with the jib remaining cleated whilst in second place.
Race 2 saw the same course being set by the Race Officer. Banter/Tog started on time and despite some over competitiveness (running another competitor aground) they finished the race well as 6th 400 and 51st overall. Scumper & Jo continued where they left off in race one and were amongst the leaders for much of the race, eventually finishing as 3rd 400 and 33rd.
The Dawson’s managed to stay upright in race 2 and had a good battle for 1st 200, but a lot of rusty boat handling and poor fitness saw them drop to third by the gun and 43rd overall.
With both races to count in the overall standings Scumper/Joe finished 22nd, Banter/Tog 51st and the Dawson’s with only one race to count 72nd.
Overall a very enjoyable day (although Scumper locked his car keys in his car at the end of the event & couldn’t get home!), competive racing, good food & good banter. We would encourage all Bass sailors to try and make this event next year.