Send reports to:
results@national12.org
Need or want to crew?
crew@national12.org
send reports to:
results@national12.org
need or want to crew, e-mail:
crew@national12.org
I would like start this report in a similar style to which some films and books start: with a disclaimer. But instead of distancing the words I'm going to write from events and people which bear some resemblance, I'm going to start by saying I'm going to write the report the best I can so it bears some resemblance to the National 12 event which took place on the 2nd weekend in July. This is because tut tut I'm writing this event report on the first weekend in August and may have forgotten some key moments.
So here goes!
Those who made the trip to the Isle of Ely were, Starting
with Four Plankers: Paul Turner with Cheshire Cat and
crewed by Ely local Ted Peeper keen to prove he could carry
on the winning start from the first event at sailing club
MK.
Gerald (fashionably late) Copsey with Beggars Maid (Cheshire Cat) crewed by Alayne Salis, yes you have read that right, I would say out to do defend his trophy but really it was going to be everyone's else's job to try and beat them!
Suzie Salis Dynamena (Warlock) crewed by Izzy Duckworth sailing with a jib looking like she could really do with winning the series top prize from HD sails.
Next up we have those not sailing 4P 12's but thought a
day's quality puddle sailing sounded just the ticket.
We have Gorge Finch sailing Silver Lining (Feeling Foolish)
crewed by Lucy Horner heading up the A14 from the
estuary sailing and static wind of Royal Harwich Yacht Club.
Thanks for making the trip and it was good to put a face to
a name on the forum.
Jack Knight sailing Sproggit (Feeling Foolish) crewed by Molly Lee. Trying to better his consistent third place at all the Four Plank events he has entered, maybe even try an bag at least one bullet in one race. He's a local so it's odds on he could do just that.
Lastly we have Kez and me (Smilie) sailing Leila
(Crusader II) doing our best umm well not to be last.
Oh and those interested in race formats we the organising
committee opted for traditional with finishes and signals
from the clubhouse with proceedings of day presided over by
Graham Tory in the role of Race Officer and Simon Marshal
driving the rescue/lead boat and Andy and Karen Knight
cooking up a storm in the kitchen with another most awesome
chillie. Wind strength through the day varied between
decent to not a lot in the channel and other lake. In other
words force 1ish to a solid force 3.
Now for the racing highlights.
First things first all the starts and first beats were very
close and the first couple of legs of each race saw close
racing throughout the fleet. This being one of the fun
things about sailing on restricted water is boats forced
into closer more tactical racing and most the time it
doesn't matter how new your boat is and the spec it's
rocking. Gerald did mention once the racing was done and
dusted that that Beggars Maid his Cheshire Cat could compete
on level terms in the lighter breeze but once the wind was
heading to a force 3 the Foolish's did have the edge on him.
Which probably means if are looking to get into 12's you
couldn't go far wrong in buying a Feeling Foolish even for
river and lake sailing.
Race one highlights
We all stopped for lunch and a C-O-L-A, coke-co LA.
Race Two
Like Cricket we all stop for tea before carrying the rest
of the afternoon competition
Race Three
That was it for another year for Ely SC National 12
opening meeting, once again it was good to see a good sized
fleet of 12’s sailing on Roswell Pits. We had plenty of
breeze (Suzie and Izzy were seen swimming round the boat at
one stage), Graham Tory set some great courses, Jacks Mum
and Dad did us proud with lunch and the sun shone all day.
We could not have wanted much more.
Now looking ahead next year is 70th anniversary of Ely SC
and 12’s have been sailed at Ely since it’s very start which
probably makes Ely one oldest 12 clubs in the country. It’s
too early to say what shape next years event will take but
it would good see loads of 12’s sailing from every era. As
rough date to stick in your diaries you wouldn’t go far
wrong by sticking the 2nd weekend in July down.
Overall results
1st Gerald Copsey and Alayne Seymour 2 points. Hunts SC/Ely SC (1st 4P)
2nd Jack Knight and Mollie Lee 3 points. Ely SC
3rd Paul Turner and Ted Pepper 6 points Trent Valley SC/Ely SC (2nd 4P)
4. George Finch and Lucy Horner 6 points. RHYC
5. Jonathan Garfitt and Kerry Whitford 8 points. Milton Keynes S.C.
6. Susie Sallis and Izzy Duckworth 11 points Ely S.C. (3rd 4P)