Vintage 12’s at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club (Wroxham)

 
A fleet of Vintage Nationals arrived at Wroxham Broad to compete in the Vintage Dinghy Regatta, this year the event had visitors from as far away as Holland and amongst the overall fleet was Enterprise number 1, Merlin number 1 and National Twelve number 1 Gipsy.  Gipsy was re-launched following a major restoration by ISKA and in particular Mike Evans a previous Burton Winner.  The full story of Gipsy has already been published in Yachts and Yachting online and on the National Twelve website.  The Merlin Rocket fleet also use this event as part of their series so competition between the two fleets is always fairly intense.   At six boats the 12 fleet was slightly depleted due to Paul Turner having had a knee op and Rit Walton having pulled his back earlier in the week, get well soon chaps! 

 
Saturday’s racing was held in very light and shifty winds which clearly suited the Twelve’s.  Bernard and Ellie Clark proved to be unbeatable in these conditions and achieved two first places overall in Xanthus N2149 whilst Howard Chadwick and James Flather in Triarda N2266 scored two second places overall.  Brian Herring and Ros Stevenson also sailed well in N2468 to finish 3rd in race one and 6th in race two.
 
The after racing BBQ was up to its usual high standard with food shopped for by Jamie from Roy’s of Wroxham and most of the cooking being done by Bernard Clark, clearly a multi talented helm!  Banter between the competitors (especially National and Merlin sailors) went on far into the night and a most enjoyable and well lubricated time was had by all.
 
Sunday dawned with more breeze and battle re-commenced, this time it was Mike McNamara and Felicity Foulds in an Albacore setting the pace overall but the Twelve fleet was still very much in contention Bernard finishing in 3rd overall with Howard a boat length behind in 4th.  The final race of the event ended with Bernard 2nd overall and Howard 3rd overall.
 
The overall event winners were Bernard and Ellie Clark (N2149) with Mike McNamara and Felicity Foulds (Albacore) in second overall and Howard Chadwick and James Flather 3rd overall. 
 
Mike Evans was given a special award for being the oldest Burton Winner sailing (Mike McNamara also being a Burton winner) and more especially for his work restoring Gipsy N1. 
 
Mervyn Allen sailing Merlin number 1 Kate managed to drop his crew in the water once again winning her the coveted wet t shirt award.  (Identity withheld to avoid embarrassment)
 
N12 fleet finishing positions were:-
 

 
Thanks are due to the Officers, Committee and Members of NBYC for organising a fantastic event and providing such a warm welcome and to Jamie Campbell without whom the event would not be the same.
 
Report             H Chadwick 17th August 2010

Overall results