Vintage 12’s at Ripon

 
A strong fleet of 9 vintage 12’s arrived at Ripon S C for first race in Witchcraft Bailer series with boats from as far afield as Frampton, Trent Valley, Redesmere and Winsford Flash, competition was hot.  event was a “Derwent Style” handicap event whereby first race is a normal race on straight timings but second and third races are pursuit races with start timing based on race one.  O.O.D. can also furr adjust if necessary for race three.  system worked well and resulted in some very close racing indeed!
 
Race one saw light breeze filling in and wind ranging from force 2 to 4.   Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson in 2266 took an early lead, however Philip David and Caroline Clarke in 2545 came through to take lead followed by Bernard and Ellie Clark in 2149.  This trio were in close contention throughout race but with Paul Turner and Brian Herring both challenging hard throughout.  At final mark Howard managed to get inside line on Bernard final positions being Philip 1st Howard 2nd and Bernard 3rd.
 
Over lunch race team Peter Chignal, Steve Benn and Jennie Clark worked on figures for race one checking lap times for all boats etc to come up with starting sequence.

 

Photo-  Jennie Clark    (100 yards to finish of race 3, lead boat finished 6th!)

 

 
Race two started with an increased breeze (F3-F5) with team Purkis leading off in 1483 closely followed by Tim Gatti, whilst Alan Mason, Brian Kitching went at +1 minute n Brian Herring closely followed by Paul Turner.  Howard and Bernard started at +3 minutes with Philip at 3min 35.  format provided excellent racing with faster boats having to make up time and overtake rest of fleet and earlier starters.  two China Dolls sailed by Paul Turner and Brian Herring soon pulled through and toger with Alan Mason in his 4a set pace and held pole positions until end of final lap when Philip, Howard and Bernard were back in contention.  Paul was in lead at last mark and with only 150 yards to finish, but unfortunately had not heard shortened course signal and tacked off towards opposite bank allowing Brian Herring to take gun for first place, Paul finished second, Alan Mason third, Howard 4th, Bernard 5th and Philip 6th, with only 30 seconds between first six boats!
 

 

Race three was sailed back to back and with wind furr increased (F4-F5) but race team still managed to do some fine tuning on start times and this time it was Tim Gatti on scratch and Philip moved up to 15 seconds behind Bernard and Howard still on + 3 minutes.  early starters set a blistering pace with Tim Gatti opening a good lead chased by Brian Kitching.  At last mark pack were once again very close, Brian Kitching managed to get room on Tim Gatti whilst close behind were Howard and Philip with Howard on inside track and Brian Herring just astern.  Only 100 yards from finish Brian Kitching tacked out from shore, Tim had dropped off to leeward whilst Howard, Philip and Brian Herring managed to sail a higher course to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Tim Gatti finished 4th with Brian Kitching in 6th having like Paul in race two failed to realise that he was on last lap!  first six boats all finished within 20 seconds a testament to accuracy of race teams handicapping system which provided excellent close racing throughout. (see photo)
 
With all three races to count Howard and Philip had a first and second each, Howard had a 4th and Philip a sixth though final results being:-
 
1st N2266  Triarda - Howard Chadwick/Helen Nicholson - Yeadon SC (Starfish)
2nd N2545  Little Meg Philip David/Caroline Clarke - Yorkshire Ouse SC (China Doll)
3rd N2468  Suzy Wong - Brian Herring/Ros Stevenson - Winsford Flash SC (China Doll)
4th N2478  Dolly Daydream - Paul Turner/Christine Marshall - Trent Valley SC (China Doll)
5th N2149  Xanthus - Bernard and Ellie Clark - Ripon SC (Sparklet)
6th N1657 Just Lucky - Brian Kitching/Alison Dooley - Frampton SC (Chimp)
7th N1607 Dilly Dally - Alan Mason/Rob Wilbraham - Redesmere SC (Proctor Mark 4a)
8th N2255  Purely Platonic - Tim Gatti/Roger Dooley - Yeadon SC (Proctor Mark 12)
9th N1683  My Little Margie - Ian and Margaret Purkis - Yorkshire Ouse (Procter Mark 4a)