Budworth GP14 Fleet Shines at Bassenthwaite Weekend Regatta
Published 18:08 on 24 Jul 2026
A group of Budworth Sailing Club's GP14 sailors from 9 boats (plus supporters!) enjoyed a memorable weekend at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, combining competitive racing with the trademark camaraderie that makes travelling as a fleet so rewarding.
Arrival in the Lakes
The adventure began on Friday with the familiar, dramatic skyline of Skiddaw and Cat Bells welcoming the team along the A66. Conditions were perfect for an easy drive, and by late afternoon tents were pitched and the first evening meal was underway at the Sun Inn. As more of the Budworth fleet arrived back at camp, an "early night" quickly turned into lively conversation well past midnight thankfully, racing wasn't scheduled until early afternoon.
Saturday: Light Winds and Close Racing
Saturday morning brought hearty breakfasts, relaxed rigging, and a breeze that shifted unpredictably reminiscent of home waters at Budworth. One of the highlights of travelling as a club is the shared support: helping each other rig, launch, decipher the course, and even lending spare trolley wheels when needed.
Racing proved challenging in the light, variable winds. For Mike Martin and crew Sam, an unexpected capsize added excitement to the day though impressively, they still avoided finishing last. Sharing the lake were the Flying Fifteens, gleaming with immaculate varnish. Dave Morris, ever the engineer, inadvertently conducted an "impact test" with one of them, fortunately without serious consequence.
Saturday Evening Social
After racing, the fleet headed straight to the weekend's main social event: a group meal for more than twenty sailors at the Pheasant Inn. The catering team rose to the challenge of managing a flurry of starters and a steady flow of drinks. The meal was a highlight, followed by a return to the club where memories of last year's beer shortage resurfaced. This year, the draught supply had run dry even before the Budworth contingent arrived.
Sunday: Fickle Breeze and Fleetwide Battles
Sunday dawned with even lighter winds but equally stunning views across Bassenthwaite. With camp packed away by 9am, the team prepared for another day of tactical racing. A pinend bias on the start line created tight competition from the first seconds of each race. Despite the fickle breeze, long spinnaker reaches allowed the GP14s to stretch their legs and showcase their best sailing.
Once ashore, it was a quick turnaround to pack up, grab a panini or ice cream, and enjoy a scenic, caffeinepowered drive back through the Lakes and down the M6.
A Strong Showing from Team Budworth
Across the fleet, Budworth sailors delivered solid performances. More importantly, the weekend reinforced the value of travelling together: shared knowledge, shared laughs, and the kind of support that makes open meetings such a pleasure.
Full race result can be found here: https://bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk/
Report from GP14 Fleet Captain Mike Martin
