The first race of Whitstable Yacht Club's National Twelve Open Meeting was started in a light sea breeze. Julian Hood and Jon Thompson (N3446) led off the start line but were overtaken before the windward mark by Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (N3448), who led to the finish with Julian and Jon finishing second. Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch (3437) gained throughout the race to finish third.

Race two was won by Jon Brown and Jane Jones (3426) who led from start to finish. The minor places changed hands throughout the race with Julian Hood and Jon Thompson eventually finishing second to win the Saturday Trophy. Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch took third place on the line.

Racing was delayed on Sunday to allow the breeze to fill in. Bruce and Clare Johnson (N3423) showed good speed for the first lap but were then overtaken on the second beat when Tom Stewart and Liz Ross made good use of the breeze on the right hand side of the course. Tom and Liz went on to win the race, with Bruce and Clare second and Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch yet again in third.

The fourth and final race was sailed in slightly more wind. Nigel and Hannah Playford (N3427) pulled through to first place on the first race and held their lead for a lap until the fleet bunched on the uptide run, at the end of which, Stewart & Ross rounded the leeward mark just ahead of the Johnsons with Ian Gore and Lesley Iles (N3441) in third. Stewart & Ross held off a strong challenge from the Johnsons to win the final race and take the Cox Challenge trophy for the second successive year.

Overall Places

1. Tom Stewart and Liz Ross		        N3448	Royal Harwich Yacht Club
2. Julian Hood and Jon Thompson		N3446	Waveney & Oulton Broad
3. Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch	N3437	Royal Harwich Yacht Club
4. Ian Gore and Lesley Iles			N3441	Grafham Water Sailing Club