National 12s at Midland Sailing Club

Very testing, light and variable wind greeted the 7 National 12's at Midland S.C. in Birmingham on Sunday 8 July.

Race 1

PRO Malcolm Hyams and his team, not only had the fickle weather to deal with, but also the complication of keeping a fleet of Enterprises happy too. The first race got underway at 11.00 prompt with the 12's starting first. Beating into a light breeze, swinging from NW to NE, huge gains could be made.

Home boat ‘Le Shed', helmed by Tom White and crewed by Matt Smith used local knowledge and considerable ‘small pond' experience to break clear early on, never to be troubled again, leaving visitor Andy McKee crewed by Jayden Wood in a Dead Cat Bounce and Ian Smith and Jenny Chen to battle for the minor places. Andy and Jayden taking 2nd and Ian and Jenny in 3rd. An interesting battle between 2 clinker China Dolls, a Crusader and a Feeling Foolish ensued further back

Race 2

After a splendid buffet lunch, including smoked salmon and profiteroles, the second race got underway, using the same course as race one. This time in a little more breeze, Ian and Jenny got a great start and led to the first mark, rounding 30 yards clear of Tom and Matt and Andy and Jayden. Maintaining the lead for the next 2 legs, only for the wind to fill in from behind, enabling the chasers to close the gap.

A split on the next beat saw the order change, with Andy clearly getting to grips with the conditions and the stronger breeze helping the performance of DCB he took the lead and held on until the finish. Tom and Matt finishing 2nd and Ian and Jenny again in 3rd.

Race 3

With Tom and Matt, and Andy and Jayden with a 1st and 2nd each, the pressure was on Tom. As the holder of the Firefly Trophy, he was keen to retain it. He managed to sail Andy out of postion at the committee boat end, only to be scuppered by fellow Midland member Arthur Bedford, who with 3 seconds to go, came storming into an impossible gap to windward of Tom. Collision resulted, Tom had no alternative but to bear away to clear his air. Fortunately (for Tom), Arthur's antics caused Andy some difficulty too and he couldn't take advantage. Tom managed to lead around the top mark, followed closely by Andy and Ian.

The next downwind leg saw the order change, with Ian and Jenny taking advantage of a slightly stronger wind stream on the run and being able to sail out from underneath, to lead into the next beat. The order changed several times over the next few legs until Tom and Matt settled into a nervous lead. Andy and Jayden pushed hard all the way to the finish but were unable to slip past. The finish being very close, Tom and Matt holding on to take 1st, Andy and Jayden, 2nd and Ian and Jenny once again in 3rd.

Full Results

1st 2765, Tom White/Matt Smith, Midland S.C. - 2 pts
2nd 3510, Andy McKee/Jayden Wood, Rutland/ Midland S.C. - 3 pts
3rd 3316, Ian Smith/Jenny Chen, Midland S.C. - 6 pts
4th 2487, Paul Turner/Christine Preston, Trent Valley S.C. - 8 pts
5th 2606, Kevin Hopkins/Tyrone Wood, Midland S.C. - 9 pts
6th 3434, Arthur Bedford/ Sue Burton, Midland S.C. - 12 pts
7th 3510, Dave Borrett/Liam Borrett, Hykeham S.C - 13 pts