Gill series finale @ Northampton

In glorious sunshine and with 12 knots of breeze blowing straight down lake, 35 National Twelves gared at Northampton SC on 7 November for finale of 2009 GILL Series.  With Steve & Jo Sallis tied on points with Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne at head of leader board and Tom Stewart & Liz Ross also able to win if or results went ir way re was all to play for.  With Zoe gracefully retired for season on grounds of pregnancy, Graham had Pip Jefferies up front pulling strings for him.
 
In first race Stewart & Ross put a marker down leading around first mark, but y were overhauled by Jon Ibbotson & Charlotte Stewart who went on to win from Stewart & Ross with Steve Norbury & Andy Hill chasing, despite odd customary wobble, in third and Sallises fourth.
 
Race 2 looked like business as usual for Stewart & Ross who led around windward mark as Sallis family headed for wrong mark.  Stewart & Ross n extended to a comfortable victory ahead of Chris Mayhew and Mandy Thornton.  Camm & Jefferies picked up a third place with Ibbotson & Stewart fourth. 
 
With all to be won and lost in final race is was no surprise that an eager fleet caused a general recall.  Starting again, this time under black flag, Stewart & Ross again mastered first beat to lead around first mark, but this time with Sallis family in close attendance.  National Champions Jo Richards and Sophie Mackley had spent most of day visiting various parts of fleet, but y were much better placed this time and showed great pace on tight reach.  On final lap y finally got into lead and won from Sallis family who were closely covering Stewart and Ross with John & Katy Meadowcroft in fourth.
 
Stewart & Ross had done enough to win meeting, but second place in final race was enough for Steve and Jo Sallis to take third overall in final event.  This third place was sufficient to win 2009 GILL Series by one point from Stewart & Ross, with Camm and his various crews across season taking third place.
 
One of specific objectives of GILL Series has been to encourage more family sailing in Class and it is particular pleasing for far / daughter team of Steve and Jo to win overall competition.  y are highly popular winners in ir 11 seasons old Feeling Foolish.
 
In Admirals Cup competition, event winners were Phil David and Anthony Copsey, whilst Chris Troth and Rebecca Butler picked up U21 prize, and, Sallises won Family Prize.
 
Results
1          N3513, Tom Stewart & Liz Ross, Feeling Foolish, 3pts
2          N3494, Jon Ibbotson & Charlotte Stewart, Feeling Foolish, 5pts
3          N3436, Steve & Jo Sallis, Feeling Foolish, 6pts
4          N3519, Jo Richards & Sophie Mackley, Dead Cat Bounce, 7pts
5          N3516, Steve Norbury & Andy Hill, Feeling Foolish, 9pts
6          N3523, John & Katy Meadowcroft, Paradigm 2, 9pts