Hykeham under 21 open meeting

The National 12 under 21 championship, generously sponsored by Pinnell and Bax, was held at Hykeham SC on 27th April. With the Wind blowing  NE 15-20mph, maybe more in the gusts, Race officer Sam Mason made best use of the lake by setting  a challenging course in the east end of the lake.

In race 1 Nick Copsey and Matthew McRobbie led until reaching the gybe mark at the same time as a nasty gust, which they initially survived, but then went for a swim at their second gybe attempt. Tom White and Matt Smith then took up the lead, which they held to the finish, followed home by Robin Jones and Luke Pepper.

In race 2 Nick again took an early lead and this time with a heavy weather crew, Steve Sallis, on board managed to hold off the challenge from Tom and Matt to take the win.

Race 3 saw a similar trend with Nick and Steve again getting an early lead, which they held to the finish again followed home by Tom and Matt with Robin and Luke in 3rd.

With all to play for in the final race the event could be won by either Nick or Tom. Nick made another crew change; this time opting for his sister, Tanya, to crew. Round the first lap Nick, Tom and Robin battled for the lead with only a few boat lengths separating the top 3. Robin, the local Hykeham SC up-and-coming Streaker supremo helming a National 12 for the first time was beginning to find the speed to challenge the experienced N12 helms for the lead. Over the next couple of laps it was Nick who found the speed to take the lead at the finish and therefore the overall win, with Tom and Matt taking 2nd, securing 2nd overall.
 
Overall results
1st N3528 Nick Copsey and Matthew McRobbie/Steve Sallis/ Tanya Copsey (Hunts SC & Hykeham SC)
2nd N3533 Tom White and Matt Smith (Olton Mere SC)
3rd N3512 Robin Jones and Luke Pepper (Hykeham SC)
 
Report by Steve Sallis
Photo by Richard Wood