The Blaydon Race 2012
Tynemouth SC sailed the long distance Blaydon Race upstream from the
Newburn Slipway on the tidal River Tyne on Sunday March 18th. Conditions
were very tricky on the first and longest lap with a generally light and
very shifty wind on a fading flood tide. By the end of lap one the wind
increased considerably and steadied in direction with crews now having
to hike hard on the beat back upstream which was now also against the
full ebb tide. The race was run for its full duration with competitors
on the water for up to three hours. Although initially bunched together
the five entrants in the National 12 class steadily sorted themselves
out as the race progressed on lap one of the course.
Picture 1 Close racing on Lap
One (photo Sarah Chadwick)
Philip David and Sue Jones in N3499, and Mark and Emma Simpson in
N3462 both sailing double floored Feeling Foolish designs eventually
broke clear and steadily distanced the others and enjoyed a very close
race between themselves right up until the very end with the result
going to Mark and Emma. Howard Chadwick and Jo Lee sailing the Design 8
N3356 were third after some mid race place changing with Ed Willett and
Angus Beyts who were sailing a 1960 vintage Proctor Mk9, N1833 and Alex
Tulloch and his crew in a Crusader N3223. Alex retired after one lap as
the very light and shifty wind at the top mark together with the slowly
strengthening ebb tide made completion of the entire course a
frustrating and protracted affair.
The Competitors would like to acknowledge the OOD, Howard Elcock and
the members of Tynemouth SC for hosting an excellent event and follow-up
social in the local pub
Picture 2 Winners of the 2012
Blaydon race, Mark and Emma Simpson (photo Sarah Chadwick)
Overall results
1st
|
N3462
|
Red Snapper
|
Mark Simpson
|
Emma Simpson
|
Scaling Dam SC
|
2nd
|
N3499
|
Out of the Blue
|
Philip David
|
Sue Jones
|
Yorkshire Ouse SC
|
3rd
|
N3356
|
Squidgy Bits
|
Howard Chadwick
|
Jo Lee
|
Yeadon SC
|
4th
|
N1833
|
WaterNymph
|
Ed Willett
|
Angus Beyts
|
Loch Tummel SC
|
RTD
|
N3223
|
China Crisis
|
Alex Tulloch
|
Tulloch
|
Cramond BC
|
Picture 3 the start of the
2012 Blaydon race (photo Sarah Chadwick)