“Scotch mist” and Solway sunshine for the National 12s at Kippford 

 21st & 22nd September

The annual National 12 Open and Solway Yacht Club Palnackie Race were held over the weekend of 21st & 22nd September in what can only be described as “contrasting” Scottish conditions. Saturday saw three races in the bay in distinctly challenging seas. In strong winds, poor visibility and with rain coming and going, this wasn’t going to be easy! Just reaching the Committee Boat was an achievement, but all credit to Lindsay Tosh the PRO and his team, race one started bang on time.

Philip David and Elaine Ross N3499 got clear, reaching the windward mark with most of the fleet not far behind. Sadly, despite a big-hearted brave effort, conditions were too much for a small crew so Mark and daughter Anna Simpson (age 7), after capsizing on the start line, were forced to abandon the day. As the race progressed Philip & Elaine stretched their lead with a close battle between Ian & Margaret Purkis (N3384), Neil McInnes & Zak Holland (N3216) and Ed Willett and Hamish Williams in the leading Vintage boat (N1833) all vying for second. The final gybe mark saw Neil & Zak swimming allowing Ian & Margaret to get clear second with Ed and Hamish third.

Race 2 got underway with no let up in the conditions. Again Philip & Elaine got clear but Tim Gatti and Gill Bilton, sailing Tim’s immaculate 1936-designed but 2013-built Uffa-King (N3541), were overwhelmed and retired, also heading for home. This time, Neil and Zak, now well in the groove, gave chase, finishing second. Ed and Hamish were third again.
Race 3 and now with wind over tide, conditions had built with biggest seas and breeze of the day with only Ed, Phillip, Neil and Howard Chadwick and his crew Rhys Williams (N2683) starting. It was usual order at windward mark; Phillip just ahead of Ed, followed by Neil then Howard. Neil closed up on Ed on the run (fantastic surfing, goose winged on the swell) and then went into second on the reach which was by now really spectacular and thats the way it finished... fantastic surfing/planing conditions...loved by those still out there!
 
Complete change the next day! Bright sunshine and warm breeze for the Solway Yacht Club’s annual up river Palnackie race. Also combined as the final race of the N12 Open and run as PY and age-related Club pursuit race with a fleet that included two Fifting Fifteens, the Toppers started up river on the tide. In the N12 race, Ed got away from Howard very early on and joined Tim in his Uffa King Gruffalo in a right old ding dong tacking battle till about 20 minutes in when Ed broke clear, enjoying 15 minutes or so in the lead running back downstream, when Neil caught up, trading the lead a couple of times before Howard joined them from nowhere with literally only about 5 minutes to the gun, the three finished in close order, Neil, then Howard and Ed with the later starting Feeling Foolishes of Philip and Mark about 5 minutes behind, followed by Tim in Gruffalo...a great showing for the 12's!!
 
Prize-giving for the first three boats, all with local crews, including the first Vintage 12 was concluded with a special Endeavour Award for Anna and Mark.
 
Overall results

1st        N3499 Out of the Blue                    Philip David and Elaine Ross
2nd        N3216 Twice Shy                          Neil McInnes and Zak Holland
3rd (and 1st Vintage) N1833 Water Nymph     Ed Willett and Huw / Hamish Williams