20th September 2009
The forecast was for light winds and that is certainly what the river
Thames delivered along with some fine sunshine to toast the fleet. 15
Twelves squeezed onto the Thames for the penultimate Thames Area event.
Antony Gifford & Juliet Brown took an early lead in race 1, however Andy
Mckee & Clare Hunter soon overhauled in the new Dead Cat Bounce (a
promising start to the designs river career). Unfortunately Andy & Clare
had course problems and had to wait for John & Mandy Thornton to
overtake and show them the way. Having let the Thorntons through there
was no catching them and they took the gun.
The start line and first mark of race two was even more hectic than the
first race. Antony & Juliet were first to unscramble themselves and
found clear air and an early lead. However Graham Camm & Zoë Ballantyne
were hot on their heels and overhauled to take the race.
The wind filled in for the start of race 3 and a hectic first beat
ensued with many tacking duels going on. Graham & Zoë found their way to
the front and fought off many attempts from roll tacking gurus John &
Katy Meadowcroft to round the windward mark first. John & Katy made
several attempts to overtake but no were successful giving Graham & Zoë
their second win of the day.
Overall results
1st Graham Camm & Zoë Ballantyne
2nd John & Mandy Thornton
3rd John & Katy Meadowcroft
