Heavy cloud and rain dominated Windermere racing, with light to moderate winds providing competitors with challenging conditions.

All four Windermere Class 17 Foot and Flying Fifteen races were won by the Royal Windermere Yacht Club’s Nigel Tullett.

Setting a windward-leeward course in the North Lake for the first of two Windermere Class 17 Foot competitions, race officer Simon McVey did a sterling job starting the fleet in the variable conditions.

With two races planned for the Caprice Salver and Chameleon trophies, the course was short, but challenging.

At the first mark, it was a close call between ‘Chameleon’ (Nigel Tullett) and ‘Pilgrim’ (David Milburn), with ‘Chameleon’ taking the lead by a boat’s length. There was intense competition between the rest of the fleet but no one could catch the leading pair. The race was won by ‘Chameleon’, with ‘Pilgrim coming second and ‘Liberty’ (Colin Bentley) third.

With the wind becoming more westerly, for the second race Simon moved the start line to Millerground, setting a course which saw the fleet beating to Red Nab, reaching across the Swans Nest and then another beat to Wray before heading down wind to Millerground.

The second race saw similar positions continue with ‘Pilgrim’ (David Milburn) and ‘Chameleon’ (Nigel Tullett) jockeying for the lead. At the top mark, ‘Phantom’ (Keith Barrow) was third.

As the wind conditions slowly eased, the race officer shortened the course. ‘Chameleon’ narrowly managed to hold off ‘Pilgrim’ to take first place. Second and third positions were identical to the first race.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Flying Fifteen competitors faced equally intense competition in variable SW winds, gusting from Force 2 to 4.

The race began near Storrs and took a southerly course towards Broad Leys. ‘Niffty’ (helmed by Nigel Tullett and crewed by wife Jean) led throughout the race, hotly pursued by ‘No Illusions’ (helmed by John Walter, crewed by Roseanne Walter) and ‘Felix Felicis’ (helmed by Julian Newman, crewed by Amanda Wilson). ‘Niffty’ won the race, with ‘’Felix Felicis’ in second and ‘No Illusions’ third.

The second of the Flying Fifteens’ races followed a shorter course but in no less challenging conditions. ‘Pitch Perfect’ (Dave Heron and Richard Rigg) led for most of the first lap before ‘Niffty’ (helmed by Nigel Tullett) came through on the next beat. After that it was a tussle all the way round with ‘Niffty’ just getting the better of those in hot pursuit.

‘Pitch Perfect’ came second and ‘Flying Ferrett’ (Commodore Clare Houlihan at helm, husband Tony crewing) third.

Competitors described the racing as ‘lovely but a challenging afternoon.”