Naburn Paddle open meeting

 

The Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club hosted their longstanding Open over the weekend of 5^th & 6th June and as the fleet of mostly vintage 12s arrived, the usual light, early June conditions, loved by some, loathed by others were surprisingly missing. Instead a brisk gusty wind promised exciting sailing in the tight river situation.

 

The OD for Race 1, with its 4pm Saturday afternoon start time, had set a long course, up to the old railway swing bridge before a long run down to the Lock. Immediately Philip and Helen David (making a welcome return to the front of N2545 “Little Meg”) established a lead they never lost, stretching it to several hundred yards by the finish, demonstrating their mastery of the blustery river conditions. Past winner of the “Paddle”, Bernard Clark, crewed by daughter Ellie were a distant second with the rest of the fleet well spaced by the finish.

 

The usual YOSC summer barbecue followed but the balmy conditions of previous years was missing, replaced by a chill that had most retreating into the snug of the Clubhouse lounge. The yarns and excuses went on well into the night with many former 12 sailors joining for a great social.

 

 

Sunday morning dawned bright but still blustery when the first of 2 back to back races got underway. Again the Davids were quickly leading the fleet and although not by such a margin were comfortable winners. Notable was the very welcome return of Brian Miatt, crewed by his longstanding former crew Margaret Overend in N2589 “Mary Deare”. Sailing very competitively they were a strong 5^th, showing Brian had lost none of his competitive edge. At the back of the fleet, Ian Purkis, crewed by Emily Overend (+ others) in her first ever competitive sail, progressed up the fleet, first passing the capsized Brian Herring and Ros Stevenson, before catching and passing Paul Turner and Christine Marshall, “Starfish N2020 ” apparently securely anchored in a hole upstream from the lock. After a brief tacking battle, Paul re-established normal order, but it was a great introduction to the best of Vintage National 12 sailing for the enthusiastic Emily.

 

Race 3 was another David win, again followed by the Clark crew, before a fine lunch courtesy of the YOSC Enterprise and Handicap fleets.

 

For the final race, not even the combined efforts of the other YOSC regulars could catch Philip and Helen, making it a clean sweep with everyone else left in their wake. Popular winners as always, with words of encouragement and advice for the less expert, they collected “The Paddle”, before packing up with this special trophy now in its 6^th decade.