Once again the National 12 class was made very welcome at the 2002 Easter Egg. Conditions throughout the weekend were
pretty much perfect, and excellent sailing was had by all. The first race
was led for most of the way round by Antony Gifford and Ali Ravenscroft,
pursued by Chris Mayhew and Charlotte Ibbotson. Although Gifford and Ravenscroft established a decent lead, an unfortunate
capsize on the last beat saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Mayhew and Ibbotson stole the win, with Gifford/ Ravenscroft getting going
again just in time to hold on to second place from Tom Stewart and Liz Ross. Further back Tom Alexander and Tim Davis
sailed well to finsh sixth, and first of the 'Admirals Cup' boats.
Sunday dawned, and Stewart/ Ross seemed to awake and hit the form that has made
them the team to beat in the class for the last 3 years. Two first places put the National Champions
firmly in control, with Mayhew and Ibbotson chasing them home in both
races. Nigel and Hannah Playford sailed
a very solid race to record a third on Sunday morning, with Gifford and Ravenscroft
third on Sunday afternoon. Stewart and
Ross continued on form on Monday, although finding the winning a little
tougher. In the first race they pulled
through to lead on a difficult and sometimes rather shallow reaching leg, and
then pulled clear. In the afternoon
Stewart and Ross were on course side, and it was left to Jon Brown and Jules
Brawn to establish an early lead that they then relinquished to Gifford &
Ravenscroft. A close race continued in
this order, with Mayhew and Ibbotson chasing Brown/ Brawn hard in third. Stewart/ Ross reeled in the leaders as the
wind rose, and were in the hunt in time to take advantage of another swim by
Gifford/ Ravenscroft to snatch a fourth win.
1st Tom Stewart & Liz Ross, N3462
2nd Chris Mayhew & Charlotte Ibbotson, N3443
3rd Jon Brown & Jules Braun, N3426
1st 'Admirals Cup' Jerry & Margaret Garner, N3365