A small, but select, group of National Twelves gathered at Tynemouth
over the weekend of 29/30 August for the fifty ninth Tynemouth Bailer
open meeting; also the fifth Gill Series event in the National 12
calendar. After looking closely at the force 5-6 Westerly, OOD Chris
Turner preferred a course at sea to one inside the harbour where the
gusts were even wilder. Only five boats made it to the start as the
others all turned back after testing the conditions. Neil & Katie
McInnes made the best start and led at the windward mark, but after
capsizing on the first reach they were soon overhauled by Steve & Joanne
Sallis. The Sallis’ also capsized at the leeward mark allowing Philip
David & Anthony Copsey to lead briefly before the Sallis’ were up
sailing again. Eventually all boats except Christian Day & Sophie
Richards capsized at least once during the race, with the Sallis’
winning from Philip David & Copsey with Day & Richards third.
The second race was held back-to-back and there were fewer capsizes
despite the wind strengthening gusts above force 6 as the fleet
obviously grew accustomed to the conditions. The finishing order was a
repeat of the first race. Once ashore there were many comments of
appreciation of the safety boat service, Red Seal.
Sunday dawned much calmer and with the wind now force 3-4 the full fleet
were out on the start line. Gerald & Nicholas Copsey made a clean start
with most of the fleet being over and having to return. They were chased
initially by Dave Peacock & Tricia Wood, but eventually they were both
overhauled by the Sallis’. The final order was Sallis first, Peacock
second and Copsey third. The next race, also back-to-back, was a near
repeat with the same finishing order again.
Overall results
1st N3436, Steve & Joanne Sallis
2nd N3217, Philip David & Anthony Copsey
3rd N3377, Christian Day & Sophie Richards
