Kielder Water Sailing Club

Jim Saltonstall gives his insight into racing at this northern club

WIND DIRECTION - EAST
The wind in the east gives us a much clearer wind direction coming over the dam wall, much more stable in it's direction, although shifts are still there to be used. As you now look up the beat, we have a convergence wind area down the port side of the course giving us more pressure down the left hand side of the beat, check it on race day to see if it is there.

It would normally pay up the beat to use the shifts on the port side of the course and on the running leg, come down along the northern shore line, for more wind.

WIND DIRECTION - SOUTH EAST
Shifty again with the wind coming off the club house corner. With the high hills to the south there tends to be less wind near the southern shore line, however there are more lifts on starboard tack as you get closer to it all being in less pressure. Do not get too close to the shore otherwise you will lose out on those who stay slightly further off in more breeze. Best to play the beat right of middle especially as you get closer to the windward mark.

WIND DIRECTION - SOUTH
Shifty again. As with the north wind, we now have the same with the southerly. With the shorter windward leg and the windward mark underneath the high hill to the south we work on the same principles as we did with the North wind. The good news is that the south wind is warmer.

WIND DIRECTION - SOUTH WEST
The South West wind direction gives us a longer windward leg again. As you look up the beat we have the wind coming off the southern shoreline at an angle which produces a slight convergence area along the southern shore. There tends to be slightly more wind left of middle up the beat, with lifts on port tack as you near the windward mark. Do not get too close to the southern shore line too early, where you will have less wind, look for it on the water.

WIND DIRECTION - WEST
Perhaps the best wind direction on the lake, giving us a more stable wind in both direction and velocity. There is a convergence area giving more wind on the port side of the course, so work the beat left of middle for more wind. There are still shifts to be used, so use them on the port side of the course.

WIND DIRECTION - NORTH WEST
Not a bad direction, giving a good beat, with the starting area close to the club house, look for lifts on port tack off the headland on your left shortly after the start, then look for lifts on starboard tack as you close the northern shore, in slightly less wind. As always on inland waters, eyes out of the boat, looking for the wind.

RUNNING LEGS
Same rules at Kielder as with any inland water, or sea venue with an offshore wind and high land. Whilst approaching the windward mark., assess quickly whether or not you are on a lift or a header, this will enable you to decide whether or not to just bear away to commence the running leg or gybe. Having started the running leg, we must now keep on checking behind us looking for where more pressure is coming from and try to stay in the fast lane where there is more wind. We must also use the shifts when possible, when running on starboard tack and the wind veers, gybe, whilst running on port tack and the wind backs, gybe, staying in the fast lane of breeze as long as we can.

Kielder is a good racing venue, especially for those who want to have a great setting and background plus get away from the chaos of the south coast during the summer months. Book early to save, disappointment, contact the club at www.kielderwatersc.org or the secretary at mhs@iqx.co.uk