Grafham Gul series open meeting

7th September 2013

Fourteen National 12s attended an excellent open meeting at Grafham Water on the 7th September. The weather was warm and with a good breeze, but with substantial shifts in wind direction. In race 1 Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart took an early lead. The fleet came back together on the run as the wind filled from behind resulting in several tussles

between the leading boats. On the next beat some large shifts shuffled the fleet but Jon and Charlotte managed to retain their lead to the finish line.

In race 2, two boats were called OCS at the start. John Meadowcroft, sailing with son Oli, was first to the windward mark, closely followed by John and Mandy Thornton and Jon and Charlotte. Up the next beat racing was very tight between the top three. Down the second run, Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne caught up the leaders and by the third run took the lead from John and Oli to win the race.

In race 3, the wind swung from left to right and back again, requiring some challenging tactical calls (and luck!). Jon and Charlotte rounded the windward mark first, followed by Graham and Zoe. Down the run, they split sides, each trying to find more pressure. Graham and Zoe pulled through into first place, which they extended into a substantial lead to the finish. Having recovered from a capsize, Tom Stewart and Andrea Ralph stormed back through the fleet to challenge Jon and Charlotte on the final leg. Tom and Andrea just pulled through to take second place.

Overall results

1st Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne

2nd Jon Ibbotson & Charlotte Stewart

3rd Tom Stewart & Andrea Ralph

1st Admiral's cup - Ian Smith & Tanya Copsey

Series results

Previous years

Grafham Gul series open meeting