Results / GNAC / RS200 Northern Championships Bassenthwaite SC - 19/09/2026

The Trident Great Northern Asymmetric Challenge, RS 200 Northern Championships & RS 200 Sailing Chandlery Northern Tour Finale

by Ben Dearden & Alice Carter

The weekend kicked off with the renowned Bassenthwaite Friday Night! With a well-stocked bar, legendary Bassenthwaite toffee vodka, and excellent live music from our very own RS200 sailor Matthew Somerville and his band, the clubhouse was rocking well into the early hours.

Heavy headed sailors woke up to a deceptively light looking Saturday morning. But, by the mid-day launch, strong gusts across the width of the lake, and huge shifts, had developed, the combination guaranteed to send even the most seasoned of sailors swimming!

The race committee did an excellent job of managing the large fleets in a tight sailing area and got everyone off promptly. Race one saw multiple capsizes and the retirement of Isobel & Ben due to a pair of snapped hull gudgeons. Matt & Oliver Sharman took the win with Gareth & Jen Williams in 2nd and Chris & Jack Pickles in 3rd. The conditions remained challenging for the rest of the afternoon, with racers hit by lots of long gusts resulting in equally long swims! Alistair & Helen Norris won race 2, race 3 went to Matt & Oliver and Alistair & Helen took the win in race 4.

After four back-to-back races in tough conditions, the fleet was definitely due a treat and Bassenthwaite did not fall short! Thank you to Heavenly Fish and Chips who made sure that all the competitors were well fed and re-energised for another great evening with more excellent live music. Bassenthwaite definitely knows how to put on a good social!

Sunday morning’s 10:30 a.m. start felt rudely early after the previous day’s generous 1 o’clock start. However, the RS 400s must have been eager to get going with two general recalls resulting in both fleets starting under black flag. The schedule was for two morning races, lunch, and then a final two races. The day brought a bit less chaos, but no less excitement! Close racing across the fleet with huge gains to be had ensured places were constantly changing. Chris & Jack won both the morning races with Alistair & Helen taking race 7 and Matt & Oliver winning race 8 concluding the 2026 Sailing Chandlery RS 200 Northern Tour.

After racing the competitors gathered for the prize giving. A big thank you to Sailing Chandlery for sponsoring this year’s Northern Tour and generously providing prizes. Matt & Oliver Sharman ultimately ended the event in 3rd place with Chris & Jack Pickles in 2nd and Alistair and Helen Norris crowned this year’s RS 200 Northern Champions.

The overall Sailing Chandlery sponsored Northern Tour results are…

Martin & Barbara Smith in third place, Matt & Oliver Sharman in second and in first place congratulations go to Alistair and Helen Norris, this year’s tour winners!

Thank you again to Sailing Chandlery for supporting the tour for another year, all the host clubs, for providing some fabulous racing and all the competitors who we look forward to seeing next year! And lastly a shout out to the on and off the water teams at Bassenthwaite SC!