National 12 Inland Championships at Northampton Sailing Club

National 12 Inlands at Northampton © Anthony York / www.chunkypics.co.uk

The 2009 National 12 Inlands were held at Northampton SC over the 7th and 8th November. 35 boats came out to play, many were wondering whether Jo Richards and Sophie Mackley could repeat their all conquering Nationals performance in Jo's Dead Cat Bounce design. Three races were scheduled for Saturday and it was blowing force three gusting four.

Local sailor Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (3513) squeezed passed Jon Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart (3494) to lead round the top mark in race 1, but Jon and Char were in determined mood and ground them down finally retaking the lead on the final lap.

In race 2 Tom and liz started at the pin picked a couple of shifts and led around the first mark again, this time they managed to escape into clear air whilst the pack slowed each other. Chris Mayhew and Mandy Thornton (3443) showed their class and worked their way through the melee to finish second, with Graham Camm and Pip Jefferis (3492) showing sense and good downwind pace to get through to third.

Meanwhile in the Admirals Cup fleet (Single Bottom Boats) a tight battle was developing between Phil David and Anthony Copsey (3217) and recent converts to the old ways Antony and Jo Gifford (3348) with Phil and Anthony edging it by a point.

The evening was spent with great food, fantastic fireworks, beer and dancing, fine preparation for two lighter races on Sunday morning.

Tom and Liz made a good mid line start showed good speed and spotting that the only serious contenders for the title Jon and Char were close they tacked to cover them and led around the top mark and again escaped to win. Graham and Pip who were seen to be hiking while others perched, pulled through to second with Chris and Mandy third.

Race five was also won by Tom and Liz who led fro start to finish again, but this time Jo and Sophie were piling up behind them on the reaches only to have the race shortened before they had the chance to overtake.

In the Admirals division Phil and Anthony did what they had to do and sailed a consistent regatta to beat Miles and Rory Odell.

In the Under 21s the competition was between Tom White and Maria Gidley (2765) and Chris Troth and Rebecca Butler (3412). These two pretty much matched each other on Saturday but in the lighter breeze on Sunday Tom and Maria showed great potential to win by 14 points.

Overall Results: