If you had seen a forecast two days before the National 12 Inland
Championships held at Northampton Sailing Club 3rd 4th November you
might have thought better of travelling, however those that made the
effort were well rewarded with great sailing, cracking fireworks and a
great party.
23 boats raced around challenging courses set by Race Officer Ian Castle
in winds from between 25 and 5 knots.
Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne have been the team to beat in 12s this
year winning the National Championships and the Gill series. They
started to form winning race one but Stevie Sallis reunited with
daughter Joanne as crew was hot on their heels with two seconds in the
first two races. Jon Ibbotson with Charlotte Stewart providing local
knowledge were also looking good with a first and a second, but it was
the tricky third race that showed Camm’s class, whilst others put in
high scores Graham and Zoe put in another first, with Nick Copsey and
Robin Jones who borrowed Jon Ibbotson’s spare ship scoring a much
deserved second place. Behind these two the next nine boats finished
within 20 seconds of each other!
Further down the fleet Jon Brown having dug the good ship Tonto out from
under the kids toys was showing his class, with local lad Lewis Bowen
adding maturity to the team they lead the boats without T-foils. Ian
Smith and Jenny Chen from Midland sailing club were showing a shiny
transom to the rest of the Admirals cup boats.(Pre 3414)
Saturday night was spent with fireworks and fun and food courtesy of
Northampton SC and we thank them for their fine hospitality.
On Sunday morning it was wet and windy and not at all inviting but again
the sailing was great. The breeze was up, at times at least 25 knots.
Jon and Katy Meadowcroft had the bit between their teeth and won two
races in fine style. The Camm team did enough in finishing second in the
first race to win the Inland Championships with a race to spare but
Graham kept that under his fleecy hat and he and Zoe stayed out to play
in the last race too. Behind the top few boats there were plenty of
thrills (fast reaches) and spills (tricky gybes) to keep the spectators
happy.
Overall results
1st Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne
