National 12s at North West Norfolk Week
by Gerald Copsey 6 Aug 2014 08:02 BST
26 July – 2 August 2014
Seven National 12s entered for the annual NWNSA event held around the North Norfolk coast.
Eight days sailing and twelve races were scheduled with the first port of call being at Hunstanton for the first weekend. The sailors were greeted with glorious weather which was to remain a feature for most of the week.
In the first Saturday race sailed in a light but steady breeze it was Nick Copsey sailing with brother Anthony who led at the first mark, but it was not long before Alex and Ian Gore and then Paul and Freya Palling were sailing past to finish in that order with Dave and Tricia Peacock winning the battle of the vintage boats.
Race two followed immediately with Nick Copsey again getting the best start, but this time with his crew for the week, Stephen Carver who had just arrived from Kent.
Nick and Stephen led the race until the last beat when Ian and Alex went the opposite way and came out in front for another win with John and Catherine Sears taking the honours in the vintage section.
Sunday dawned very early and race 3 started in much the same wind as Saturday. Ian and Alex comfortably won the race with Nick and Stephen comfortably ahead of Paul and Freya. Dave and Tricia were first vintage boat home.
Race 4 and the second of the day was to be sailed in the lightest winds of the week.
The drifting conditions were very much to the liking of Paul and Freya who found that their non-foiling Foolish suddenly had a boat speed advantage over the DCBs which had previously been much quicker. With Nick and Stephen 2nd and Ian and Alex 3rd it was Paul and Freya who went home with the trophy with a 3,1 score. John and Catherine were first vintage boat to leave themselves and Dave and Tricia with two wins each.
On Monday the Fleet set off for Wells, but with the wind arriving just too late, it was a tow home and then off to Blakeney for Tuesday and race 5. This was won very comfortably by Ian and Alex who sailed away for an easy win with Nick and Stephen a distant 2nd and Philip David and Alex Philip coming home 3rd.
On Wednesday the fleet returned to Blakeney in probably the strongest wind of the week.
Ian and Alex led at the first mark but were closely followed by Peter Miatt and Tanya Copsey who had sailed a stunning first leg. By contrast Nick and Stephen had a poor first leg but were soon flying passed Peter and Tanya and closing in on Ian and Alex who then had an issue with the jib pole.
Nick and Stephen took full advantage to take the lead and win their first race of the week with Peter and Tanya holding on to 3rd ahead of Philip and Alex.
Race 7 was held at the Ouse Amateur sailing club and it was Nick and Stephen who got to the first mark ahead of Ian and Alex with a gap which remained until the second run when Ian and Alex closed up on a gust and briefly went into the lead. However they were unable to prevent Nick and Stephen from getting the overlap at the gybe mark which allowed them to start the last beat ahead from where they were able to sail away. Gerry Ledger and Elizabeth Ross just won the battle for 3rd.
On Friday the fleet were at Snettisham and Nick decided that it was time to try out the new P&B sails before the Championships to make sure everything worked properly.
With the extra speed generated by the new sails Nick and Stephen were untouchable and sailed away for two comfortable victories. The rest of the fleet finishing in the same order for both races with Ian and Alex ahead of Peter and Tanya.
A special mention for Ely sailors Jack Knight and Molly Lee who were sailing on the sea for the first time and look like another good young pairing for the future.
With Ian and Alex going home it was Nick and Stephen who won the week for the first time and they finished the week with two routine wins on Saturday to make it six consecutive race wins.
John and Catherine Sears sailed a brilliant penultimate race in their vintage boat to keep Nick and Stephen in sight and beat everyone else to 2nd place and ensure their position as first vintage boat for the week ahead of David and Tricia. Unfortunately the third vintage boat sailed by Paul Turner and Christine Preston was unable to complete the week as Paul has recently had back surgery, but it was a valiant effort by the pair who I'm sure will be back to torment me next year.
The last race in a bit more breeze saw Peter and Tanya taking up the challenge and they gave a good account of themselves. The 2nd place combined with a 4th was not enough to beat John and Catherine on the day but was enough to give them 3rd overall for the week.
Overall it was another great weeks sailing and probably the best weather we have ever had. Thanks go to the NWNSA organising committee especially David Baddeley who struggled through the week with bruised ribs and Ian Holland who made sure results were posted ASAP.
Results:
1st 3528 Nick Copsey and Stephen Carver
2nd 3525 Ian Gore and Alex Gore
3rd 3448 Pete Miatt and Tanya Copsey
4th 2403 John Sears and Catherine Sears
5th 3287 Gerry Ledger and Elizabeth Ross
6th 2620 David Peacock and Tricia Peacock