Trent Valley open meeting

It was a real “train spotters” Open Meeting at Trent Valley on Sunday 7th May; there were four original design National 12s sailing namely N2399, N2403, N2750 and N2993. The N12 anoraks will immediate be able to work out which is which without cheating and looking at the results at the bottom of this report. There was also added interest with a “shoot out” between two former TVSC members who were also Burton winners. And a well-known N12 designer was re-acquainted with his last offering.

 

But meanwhile back at the sailing, the weather forecast promised 10+ knots and we got 0 to 15 often in the same minute; and it was bright and sunny (as expected) but with the breeze being direct from the North Pole, it was a bit nippy!

 
Race one saw a general recall, with majority of the five boats over the line – Gerald’s “just in time” planning had gone slightly awry, arriving in the car park as the five minute gun sounded. The wind was diabolically fluky as the fleet battled uphill through the “Doldrums” at the Scout HQ to find even less wind in the stretch up to Billystones. Places changed by the minute but Graham crewed by his son Felix broke clear of Rob crewed by sister Ann (they hadn’t sailed together for over 30 years, and Rob’s last appearance at TVSC was in the early 1990s!) The followers had a great tussle back down to the Club but as the fleet headed back up the river Rob got past Graham and held 1st place through to the finish; Chris and Maria were close behind with our Commodore John (crewed by Ann our Vice Commodore in her boat) edging Kay and I into last place (by 18 seconds).
 

Race two was sailed immediately afterwards (following what our Race Officer quaintly termed a “P Break”). Rather than a simple up and down course to Billystones and back to the bottom mark below the Clubhouse, Roger set a loop course, with an extended “Goddard Chicane”, which fooled half the fleet, who took mark three the wrong way round. Graham and Zoe (crew 2) gently pulled away from Rob and there was much place changing behind courtesy of many buoy re-roundings. Two of the three miscreants did the necessary but sadly for Rob, who finished second behind Graham, he realised that he had cxckxd xp, and had to retire. John the Commodore beat us (again!) into last place, but by only 17 seconds this time.
 
A splendid lunch was served up by Chris our new steward; we doubt that the beans had any influence on the wind getting up for Race three which was again the four buoy loop course with added Goddard. It was all to play for for first place with both Graham and Rob having a first but the four lap whiz round the bay saw Graham (this time crewed by his daughter Anya) romp away from the fleet finishing nearly five minutes ahead of Rob. Gerald found a turn of speed finishing close behind Rob, with the Commodore just beating Chris into 5th. Sadly the excitement, domestic pressures and lack of fitness relegated your correspondent to spectator.
 

A most enjoyable day’s yotting and it was great to see lots of assorted spectators including the Bloors, the Camm Family, Frances, Amanda and lots of TVSC gongoozellers.
 

Many thanks to those who had travelled so far to sail or watch; Graham & Zoe and kids from Burghfield, Rob & Amanda from London, the Copseys from darkest Suffolk and Ann Peebles from Cromer!
 

And finally, sincere thanks to Race Officer Roger (the Ancient) Britton aided and abetted by Ken Goddard on the flags and Guy Browne in the rescue boat.
 

Paul

 

 

 

Overall results

Graham Camm & Family	Burghfield	N2403 China Doll*	1st
Rob Peebles & Ann	NFA	N2399 Mr Jones*	2nd
Chris Troth & Maria Gidley	Olton Mere	N2993 Bouncer	3rd
Gerald Copsey & Tanya	Ely	N3411 Esmerelda (Baggy Trousers)	4th
John Richardson & Ann Britton	Trent Valley	N3192 Alley Cat (Tigress)	5th
Paul Turner & Kay Ash	Trent Valley	N2750 Cheshire Cat*	6th

Turner Collection boats*