Tynemouth open meeting and Gill #5

 
A small, but select, group of National Twelves gared at Tynemouth over weekend of 29/30 August for fifty ninth Tynemouth Bailer open meeting; also   fifth Gill Series event in National 12 calendar. After looking closely at force 5-6 Westerly, OOD Chris Turner preferred a course at sea to one inside harbour where gusts were even wilder. Only five boats made it to start as ors all turned back after testing conditions. Neil & Katie McInnes made best start and led at windward mark, but after capsizing on first reach y were soon overhauled by Steve & Joanne Sallis. Sallis’ also capsized at leeward mark allowing Philip David & Anthony Copsey to lead briefly before Sallis’ were up sailing again. Eventually all boats except Christian Day & Sophie Richards capsized at least once during race, with Sallis’ winning from Philip David & Copsey with Day & Richards third.

 

 

second race was held back-to-back and re were fewer capsizes despite wind strengning gusts above force 6 as fleet obviously grew accustomed to conditions. finishing order was a repeat of first race. Once ashore re were many comments of appreciation of safety boat service, Red Seal.

 

 
Sunday dawned much calmer and with wind now force 3-4 full fleet were out on start line. Gerald & Nicholas Copsey made a clean start with most of fleet being over and having to return. y were chased initially by Dave Peacock & Tricia Wood, but eventually y were both overhauled by Sallis’. final order was Sallis first, Peacock second and Copsey third. next race, also back-to-back, was a near repeat with same finishing order again.
 
Overall results 
1st N3436, Steve & Joanne Sallis
2nd N3217, Philip David & Anthony Copsey
3rd N3377, Christian Day & Sophie Richards