National 12 Gill Series and Scottish Championships at Annandale Sailing Club

Close racing between Vintage and Admirals Cup category boats at the National 12 Scottish Championships © Allan Doyle

2012 Scottish N12 Champions Steve Sallis and Tanya Copsey © Allan Doyle

The National 12 Scottish Championships was held at Annandale Sailing Club on the14th and 15th April. This event was the first of the National 12 Gill sponsored Travellers series for 2012 with prizes being awarded by the sponsor not only for the overall places but also for best placed crew in the Admirals Cup (non-double floor) and Vintage (clinker built hulls) categories. The overall winner would also get to take home the prestigious and very old Scottish Daily Express Trophy so there was much to compete for and consequently this attracted 14 entries across all categories, from all over the UK, with boats ranging in age from newly launched brand new designs to vintage clinker boats dating from 1957.

The fleet was greeted by a blustery and squally easterly wind on the Saturday which promised some exciting sailing. The strong gusts combined with plenty of shifts rewarded tactical as well as boat handling skills and provided for close and exhilarating racing throughout the fleet. The conditions did take their toll on the competitors with only seven crews staying out for Race 2 which was held back to back with Race 1.

Ultimately Steve Sallis and Tanya Copsey sailing N3531 “Catbert”, a 2010 built Dead Cat Bounce design with foiling rudder established dominance on Day 1 with three race wins. Class Chairman Chris Day and Sophie Richards with two 2nd’s and a 3rd in N3513 “Silver Lining” and Mark and Emma Simpson with two 3rd’s and a 2nd in N3462 “Red Snapper” (both double floored Feeling Foolish designs) shared the spoils and established the top three overall on day one. Behind the top three Bernard and Ellie Clark sailing N3334 “Amigo 2” (a 1989 Design 8) showed superb speed, especially offwind to stay with the modern boats throughout and scored two 4th’s and a 5th place, whilst Nick and Anthony Copsey sailing N3538 “Glass and a Half Full” (a new double floored, foiling Feeling Foolish design) booked a 4th and a 5th place. In the Vintage category racing was also exciting and close with Ed Willett and Finn Mitchell sailing N1833 “WaterNymph” (a 1960 Proctor Mk 9) taking three 6th places to lead the category on day one from Tim Gatti and Clare Hunter sailing N2335 “Saskia”(a 1966 Starfish design) who scored 5th, 8th and 9th places.

On Saturday night the fleet enjoyed the customary “social” laid on by Annandale SC in the clubhouse. This year a superb selection of curries was on the menu together with a selection of beer and wine all included as part of the entry fee and with no restriction on the amount of food and drink consumed the competitors enjoyed far too much of a good time, with some regretting it on the Sunday morning!

Sunday dawned with bright sunshine and initially light winds as forecast, however the wind varied in strength throughout the day, occasionally with vicious squalls and dramatic wind shifts to add further spice to proceedings! The three races were held back to back with the first start at 10:30 to allow the travellers reasonable time to get home. In Race 4 Steve and Tanya again took the win however they did not have everything their own way and were pushed hard by Chris and Sophie. Bernard and Ellie sailed a blinder to finish third, as did Tim and Clare who posted another 5th. It was also extremely encouraging to see Colin and Jane Cumming finish 6th in his brand new design N3539 “Sweet Chariot” (a wooden kit built National 12 marketed by Fyne Boat Kits showing good speed and great pointing ability.

In Race 5 however change was to the fore. Chris and Sophie ended Steve and Tanya’s dominance and posted the win, with Steve and Tanya in 2nd, Mark and Emma in 3rd and Bernard and Ellie with another superb 4th. Behind them in the Vintage category Will and Ben Willett sailing N2620 “Fair Lady” (a 1972 China Doll design) sailed an excellent tactical race to take 5th just ahead of Colin and Jane in Sweet Chariot, with the remaining Admirals Cup and Vintage boats having a very close battle for the places behind.

With the overall top three and the Admirals Cup prize now decided only five crews elected to sail the last race. In the Vintage Category Tim and Clare and Ed and Finn were now tied overall on points and both crews therefore elected to stay out for the decider! They were joined by Steve and Tanya, Chris and Sophie and Mark and Emma. The race became a battle of two halves….the top two on the leader board enjoyed a superb and very close race with Chris and Sophie winning through right at the end to take their second win of the weekend and thus the second day overall. Behind them the other three boats also enjoyed a close race with all three finishing in very close company with Mark and Emma’s modern boat edging out the two vintage boats at the end. In the Vintage category the result couldn’t have been tighter. After one discard the two crews were tied and after the second discard was applied Tim and Clare took the Vintage category by one point after some excellent and memorable sailing.

The competitors would like to thank Annandale SC and their members for organizing a superb event both on and off the water. Despite the tricky conditions the OOD and his team set superb courses and managed the back to back races with supreme efficiency. Off the water the Club’s hospitality was excellent. Lunches and plenty of warm tea, coffee, soup and hot chocolate were on tap for all sailors and their families; and with it all included within the modest entry fee (including the grand Saturday night feast) the event is superb value for money.

The competitors and the National 12 Class would also like to thank our sponsor Gill for the continued support provided to the Class.

Follow the National 12 Class on our website www.national12.org and facebook page www.facebook.com/National12

Overall Results:

Admirals Cup Results:

Vintage Results: