NATIONAL 12 OPEN MEETING 15/16^th JUNE

18 Twelves again enjoyed perfect racing at the Pevensey Bay open meeting, with fresh winds, and plenty of waves and tide to keep them amused. Rod Hall, race officer, set a ‘P’ course for the 5 races over the weekend.

Saturday saw a late start so we could all watch England beat Denmark in the World Cup. It was to be close racing all weekend. The first race saw Chris Mayhew and Charlotte Ibbotson taking turns at the first gybe mark allowing Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall to take the lead. Mayhew and Ibbotson however then sailed well regain the lead and take the first race. John and Katy Meadowcroft were second with Camm and Hall in third.

In the Second race Tom Stewart and Elizabeth Ross found some considerable speed taking the lead early on and maintaining it. The battle for second place was closesly contested by The Meadowcrofts, Camm and Hall and Meyhew and Ibbotson. Eventually Camm and Hall pulled through but only after a capsize incident at the windward mark put Meyhew and Ibbotson out of the running.

After a good social with fellow sailors from the Lark and Firefly classes, Sunday dawned overcast but with a steady F3-4 wind. 3 races were sailed back to back with again close racing all day with much place changing at the front and all to play for.

The third race saw David and Frances Wilkins taking a superb port end flyer on the line and storming up the beat. They were gradually overhauled and the Meadowcrofts went on to win taking places up the beat, with Meyhew and Ibbotson in Second and Mike Cooke and Lindsey Iles in third, having taken a great windshift out to sea.

John & Katy Meadowcroft continue their winning streak in the 4th race, in their new ultra wide Final Chapter. Steward and Ross took second with Ian and Alex Gore climbing to third.

The fifth and final races commenced with a general recall. The restart had the Wilkins spinning on the start line and Camm and Hall first to the windward mark. Camm and Hall held the lead till the next beat where they were overhauled by the Meadowcrofts On the final run much gibing to place to protect positions and the final outcome was The Gores, followed by The Meadowcrofts, followed by Camm and Hall.

This gave the Medowcrofts the Open Meeting win on 4 pts but Mayhew & Stewart were tied on 7 pts each for second place so the rule book had to come out!

Everyone had a good time and said they were looking forward to coming again next year.