Twenty National Twelves arrived at Bristol Corinthian for the first
Gill series event of the year. With a very shifty northerly breeze
of very variable wind strength everyone was kept on his or her toes and
many checked out the water temperature (cold) with accidental full body
immersions.
Race one saw Tim Laws and Clare Hunter take an early lead only to be
quickly overtaken by Kevin Iles and Jane Wade. They held what
proved to be an unassailable lead from Nigel and Chris White, who were
closely pursued throughout by Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley.
Race two saw Caroline Martin and Andy Douglas lead following their
correct prediction of a big left hand shift on the first beat. By
the time the leaders were on the short run of the trapezium shaped
course it was clear that some weather was on its way across the lake.
The blizzard hit with what felt like a gale, Caroline Martin and Andy
Douglas stood Bart on its bow in spectacular fashion, briefly giving the
lead to Gifford and Mackley who promptly span out. Antony and Jo
Gifford then led until a huge right hand shift on the next beat allowed
Tom Stewart and Adele Cameron to take the lead, which they held to the
finish, with Nick Martin and Tricia Wood taking second from Jon Ibbotson
and Charlotte Stewart.
The snowy conditions led to a depleted fleet for the final race but
there were still six boats able to win so racing was close and very
exciting. Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley led for the first
couple of laps, but with the shifty breeze never looked safe, as was to
be proven by the third beat when Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart took
the lead and Tom Stewart and Adele Cameron snuck through to second,
turning the possible overall standings on their head. The final
lap was closely fought and by the finish Gifford and Mackley had snuck
through to take the open meeting.
Overall
1st, 3431 Zippy, Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley (Aldeburgh YC)
2nd, 3513, Silver Lining, Tom Stewart and Adele Cameron (Northampton SC)
3rd, 3494, Monkey Business, Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart (Oxford
and Cambridge SS
4th, 3512, Alpha Male, Kevin Iles and Jane Wade
