Redesmere open meeting

8 National 12s from the spectrum of the class’ history, from vintage to foiling, took to the water in gusty and unpredictable conditions at Redesmere.

In the first race Christian Day and Sophie Richards in their Feeling Foolish got off to an early lead on the gusty first beat only to be caught and subsequently overtaken by the end of the first lap by Tom White and Maria Gidley in their China Doll. Tom and Maria continued extending their lead impressively to take a convincing first place. Meanwhile in third place Paul Turner and Jimmy Whitehead put up a sterling vintage fight against Dave and Tricia Peacock’s newly foiling Paradigm. A timely gust and long reach though allowed Dave and Tricia to finally break through on the final lap to take third.

The second race, after a hearty Redesmere lunch, got off to a fantastic start for locals Alan Mason and Rob Wilbraham who took a port tack flyer from the pin end in their vintage 4A. As the wind dropped suddenly the fleet bunched up and Tom and Maria made the most of the shifty conditions to come out in front. The third race of the day saw the fleet a little more mixed up with Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson getting off to a fantastic start. They were caught quickly though by the newer boats and the China Doll, both Dave and Tricia and Tom and Maria led the race but the battle finally ended with Christian and Sophie managing to cross the line first.

Overall results

1st Overall & 1st Admirals Cup           Tom White and Maria Gidley

2nd Overall                                         Christian Day and Sophie Richards           

3rd Overall                                           Dave and Tricia Peacock

1st Vintage    Paul Turner and Jimmy Whitehead