National Sailing Day

49 sailors on 8 boats enjoyed a most memorable day on Windermere for the fbe's 5^th annual sailing day.

Horizontal rain and stinging hail did not spoil what was otherwise a great day in a wind that at times was gusting nearly 40mph although it was not a day for the faint hearted!

After a morning spent familiarising the crews with the 30ft Beneateau yachts the racing began in earnest shortly after lunch with 3 races sailed in very challenging conditions. There was a very clear winner as team Baker Mallet won all 3 races quite convincingly from fbe and Walker Sime. There were seconds separating the leading teams at times as despite the weather the boats were very evenly matched and there were some very close finishes. Bullock Construction started every race quickly and were first off the line followed closely by fellow contractors Kier and Globe. Turner and Townsend did battle with Curtins and both had their moments in the 3 races.

Skipper Neil Griffiths of Baker Mallet (current fbe Chairman) continued his excellent record in the competition with 2 wins and a 2^nd place in the last 3 competitions but he was quick to praise his fellow crew members for an excellent display of teamwork. The prize giving and dinner was held afterwards at the Hydro Hotel in Bowness where the excellent food, beer and general hospitality finished off the day in style.

There will be 2 sailing days in 2012 as the Spring Cup returns in April.

Overall positions

1st - Baker Mallett                     

2nd - FBE                                                           

3rd - Walker Sime                                                             

4th - Kier                                                                                              

5th – Turner & Townsend                                             

6th - Bullock Construction                     

7th - Globe                                                          

8th - Curtins