North West Norfolk Week

 

In contrast to rest of country, North West Norfolk Week enjoyed its usual sunny and warm micro-climate, perfect for 25-plus strong fleet of National Twelves (and, it seems, local population of ladybirds, which were everywhere). competitors were put through ir paces by variety of winds, ranging from a force 4-5 at windy Wells to a flat calm mid-race at Blakeney, and by various eccentricities of 6 different venues over 11 races in 7 days, which is part of what makes NWNW so unique.

 

Paul Turner has written a view from back
 
For those who have never done Norfolk Week before and are wondering what it’s like, brief reviews of various venues follow below:

 

Hunstanton

Famous for its red sandstone cliffs, which contrast with green of park and golf course above. Admittedly, parts of town are a little tacky, but beach is clean and chalets for hire right next to dinghy park make a good base for families for day. Sea Life Centre is a good family attraction for a rainy day.
 
Key challenges: leaving dinghy park without an ice-cream from conveniently placed kiosk, remembering where sandbanks lie in relation to race course.
 
Racing: 2 days in a medium breeze with good surfing waves and four winners - John & Katy Meadowcroft (in just launched Rondar Paradigm 2), Tom Stewart & Pip Jefferis, Pellings and Graham Camm & Zoë Ballantyne.

 
Kings Lynn
 
sailing club is a little tricky to find amid town’s one-way system, but is small and friendly with a balcony overlooking river. town itself has a pleasant enough shopping centre to keep babysitters occupied.
 
Key challenges: finding slipway, launching in slippery mud
 
Racing: We were greeted by a visiting replica 15th Century galleon with cannons firing – not to be mistaken for start signal. Tom Stewart and Pip Jefferis got away on start line and were never really challenged for lead. following pack fought hard for places and split sides of river, one group going for less tide, or for more wind. Eventually Graham Camm claimed second place with Ian Gore in third.
 
Wells
 
Famous for its wonderful beach and much-photographed colourful beach huts. beach is so large that even in August re is plenty of space, and has a good view of racing area for spectators. town is about 15 minutes walk away along sea wall (or 5 minutes by miniature train) and centres around quayside, where much crabbing takes place. re is an outdoor children’s playground and an indoor soft play space for wet days.
 
Key challenges: getting out of and back into harbour down winding channel without running aground or running out of wind. Most competitors were forced to get out and walk at some stage! Wednesday saw first of early morning starts (6.30 am), so getting out of bed in time was tricky.
 
Racing: As always seems to be case, it was windy at Wells. winners on each day (Paul Pelling and Antony & Jo Gifford) were those who got a good start and arrived at windward mark first in clean air, while rest of fleet jostled for position on downwind legs.
 
Blakeney
 
A small village set on edge of marshes, famous for its seal colony (boat trips available). Tiny club house, but good crabbing potential.
 
Key challenges: Getting to start area (and back) down a very narrow and shallow creek.
 
Racing: second early morning start of week at least had a beautiful sunrise to inspire early risers. rising tide lifted ladybird swarms off top of marshes so we were sailing through a pink tide. Halfway through race wind died away completely, leaving many going backwards in ebbing tide. Jon & Charlotte Ibbotson were closest to shore at this point (with centreboard and rudder lifted) and sidled along shallows to take race, with Steve & Joanne Sallis claiming second and wise old man of sea Patrick Elcombe crewed by Carole Shore taking third place. 

 

fleet on run at Burham Overy Stai  (courtesy Clare Hunter)

 
Burnham Overy Stai
 
Host to Jenny Lee Trophy (not part of overall week’s results) for N12s in memory of Jenny Lee, a former N12 sailor. Typical Norfolk harbour full of traditional day boats, linked to sea via a winding creek through marshes.  re is a beautiful walk along sea defences out to a long sandy beach backed by dunes.

 

Start of Jenny Lee (courtesy Clare Hunter)

Key challenges: not running aground on way to start on many groynes protecting channel.
 
Racing: A lovely evening sail without forecast thunderstorms, running downwind past parties of visitors barbecuing on beach at Scolt Head, followed by a splendid reception and prizegiving in race officer’s house. Tom & Pip found a deep water channel off start line that also was out of tide and got a clear lead whilst fleet behind jostled for places.
 
More at: http://www.overystaisc.org.uk/results09.php#jlee
 
 
Snettisham
 
Is a venue where water disappears completely at low tide but at high water it is a perfect sailing and fleet enjoyed two early morning races in a nice force 3.
 
Key challenges: Finding venue amongst local caravan sites
 
Racing: third early morning didn’t put many of fleet off and so a good size fleet enjoyed surfing conditions. Graham & Zoë won ir second race of week which put pressure on Tom & Pip in final race. Antony & Jo were hot off blocks in final race with Graham & Zoë close behind covering Tom & Pip carefully to claim overall week.
 

Overall results

 

1st	GRAHAM CAMM	ZOE BALLANTYNE	BURGHFIELD
2nd	TOM STEWART	PIP JEFFERIS	NORTHAMPTON
3rd	ANTHONY GIFFORD	JOE GIFFORD	ALDEBURGH
4th	JON BROWN	JULIET BROWN	UPPER THAMES
5th	JON IBBOTSON	CHARLOTTE STEWART	O C S S
6th	STEVE SALLIS	JOANNE SALLIS	HYKEHAM

 

Full results available at:
http://www.norfolkweek.co.uk/National%2012%202009.htm