National 12’s at Solway Yacht Club

The penultimate meeting of the 2009 Scottish National 12 series took place at Solway Yacht Club on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.  In order to make the most of the tide racing got underway at 9.45am on Saturday, with the early start catching some of the competitors napping!  Bernard Clark and James Kelly (N3447) claimed line honours in the first race, with Ian and Margaret Purkis (N3384) second.  Mark and Emma Simpson (N3472) claimed race 2 with Clark and Kelly 2nd.  The fleet enjoyed probably some of the steadiest wind of the day as they sailed back into the estuary.

Sunday morning saw another early start, but with a fresher breeze and plenty of sunshine.  Clark and Kelly won the 1st race, with Simpson and Simpson snapping at their heels.  The final yards of the fourth and final race saw these 2 continue their battle, ending with a luffing match on the finish line which resulted in Simpson hooking the committee boat anchor and taking a retirement into his score line.

All in all another wonderful weekend at this fantastic venue.  The series now moves on to Largs for the final meeting on 22 and 23 August.

Overall results

1st         Bernard Clark (Ripon SC) and James Kelly (Solway YC), N3447

2nd        Ian and Margaret Purkis (Solway YC), N3384

3rd        Mark and Emma Simpson (Scaling Dam SC), N3472

1st Admiral’s Cup Boat – Purkis and Purkis

1st Vintage Boat/1st Junior crew – Bronagh Gillespie and Katherine Kelly (Solway YC), N1620