Despite the cold and snowy conditions a dozen brave National 12s competed in the Royal Harwich Mid-winter Championships. Amongst the competitors was Malcolm Mackley sailing his new boat 'Red Snapper' for the first time. A few people succumbed to their hangovers from the excellent dinner on the previous evening, but those that did venture onto the water enjoyed four short races courtesy of Race Officer, Dr. Chris Brown. He endeavored to keep the races short and fast in a bid to keep the competitors warm and active!

Fran Gifford, crewed by Neil Ravenscroft, started the first race well and led the fleet around the windward mark, closely followed by Jon and Charlotte Ibbotson and Jon Brown and Jane Jones. The Ibbotsons gybed early and took the lead leaving Gifford/Ravenscroft fighting for second place with Brown/Jones. By the leeward mark Brown/Jones had pulled a small margin over Gifford/Ravenscroft and the Meadowcrofts had pulled into third place. The battle was on for the short flood beat to the line during which Brown/Jones snatched victory with the Meadowcrofts taking second and Ibbotsons close third.

Staying on their good starting form, Gifford/Ravenscroft led the fleet again round the windward mark followed closely by Nigel and Hannah Playford, with the rest of the fleet chasing hard. By the gybe mark, both Gifford and Playford had been overhauled by Brown/Jones. The Ibbotsons had also pulled through to second and these two went onto take first and second respectively.

The third race was led from start to finish be Gifford/Ravenscroft with the battle for second place hotly contested by the Ibbotson and Brown/Jones. Brown/Jones were able to capitalize on the Ibbotson mistakes at the second windward mark which resulted in them having a short swim.

Having already won the meeting, Brown/Jones took the opportunity of an early warm bath (whilst many of the other competitors went for a rather colder bath!) and did not compete in the last race. This left the way open for the Ibbotson to win the race from the Meadowcrofts - positions which both boats held from start to finish. A between race swim had made it difficult for Gifford/Ravenscroft to maintain their excellent earlier form who had to be satisfied with a third place, ahead of Sam Sutton and Malcolm Murton.

Results:

1 N3426 Purple Pants Jon Brown/Jane Jones RHYC
2 N3445 Purple Turtle Jon Ibbotson/Charlotte Ibbotson RHYC
3 N3431 Zippy Francis Gifford/Neil Ravenscroft WSC

Older Boat Prize
N3390 Mr. Badger Graham Ireland