On Sunday 11th October Tynemouth Sailing Club hosted their annual
winter open meeting on the tidal river Tyne west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Tate Winter Trophy for National Twelves has been contested on this
stretch of river for 57 consecutive years whilst the Tyne Shield for
Enterprises has been going for 52 years. The club were therefore
encouraged to welcome 16 entries from 8 different clubs, many of whom
return annually to enjoy some of the best river racing available in the
North of England. Three back to back races for each class were held in
light winds and sunshine. Slack Water at the top of the tide prevailed
for the second race but constant awareness of the direction of current
was required in the first and third races held on flood and ebb tides
respectively.
A three boat battle for honours in the Twelves led to differing leaders
as the races progressed . However in all three races Mark and Emma
Simpson from Scaling Dam had wriggled in front of Philip David and
Howard Chadwick to finish in that order. Avoiding the calm patches and
using the current to best advantage paid at all times. Mark Ninnim of
Bassenthwaite teamed up for the first time with his club mate Naomi
Smith to indulge in a welcome return to racing on the river after many
years’ absence. He hadn’t completely forgotten the required technique as
shown by two impressive wins in the first two races; holding off the
challenge of Alan Baker with Gill Kincaid crewing. David Gebhard put
together a similar score line in the Laser Class to secure overall
victory despite being roundly thrashed in the final race by none
other than his wife, Jackie!
Tynemouth Sailing Club plan another enjoyable day’s racing from
Newburn Slipway for the 50th running of the annual ‘Blaydon
Races’ trophy on March 24th 2013.
Report by Howard Steavenson
Photos by Val Steavenson
Overall results
1st 3462 Mark Simpson, Emma Simpson, Scaling
Dam SC
2nd 3499 Philip David, Caroline, Clark Yorkshire
Ouse SC
3rd 3356 Howard Chadwick, Cathy Lawson, Yeadon SC
4th 1620 Ian Purkis, Margeret Purkis, Solway YC
5th 1673 Brian Herring, Ros Stephenson, Redesmere
SC
