Inland Championships 2008

Northampton Sailing Club 1st & 2nd November

Stevie Sallis Crewed by his daughter Joanne won his 6th N12 Inlands title.

Saturday was breezy and lots of the top boats had swims particularly in the third race when who ever got into the lead seemed to lose the ability to Gybe. Sunday looked as if it would be easier but the fireworks, disco and beer on Saturday night were definitely slowing down the reactions of the fleet and by the time every one arrived at the start line there was plenty of puff for planing reaches and flat out hiking up wind and down.

PRO Richard Willows set excellent courses with true beats, reaches of various angles, testing gybe marks (often in the spectator zone in front of the clubhouse) and some dead runs where staying in the puff lines could gain you hundreds of yards.

Steve and Joanne (3436) put in most of the work needed on Saturday when they scored two firsts and a fourth and a fourth in race four was just enough. Ian Gore and Penny Yarwood were very consistent (3441) and finished equal on points with Steve and Joanne but lost on count back. Antony and Jo Gifford (3514) won both of Sundays races but had to count a ninth after a couple of swims cost them dearly on Saturday, but it was good enough to haul themselves up to third place.

Gareth Williams and Katie Hughes (3162) won the Admirals cup division from Simon and Matt Hopkins (3413) with a rock steady performance keeping the mast out of the drink.

Overall results