National 12 Naburn Paddle at Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club

A brisk N to NE breeze greeted the fleet of National 12’s for their open meeting on 4 & 5 June at Naburn, hosted by the Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club.

The first race on Saturday is traditionally over the full length of navigation between the railway bridge and the lock and the winner is awarded the “Jubilee Cup”. As ever on this course, the wind was patchy with some very gusty patches and other areas of very light winds. Philip & Helen David, sailing Little Meg, took an early lead and were largely unchallenged, until towards the end of the second lap Vince & Alex Phillips in Invasion caught and passed them as the wind dropped off to take the trophy. Ian Purkis and Lewis Holdsworth sailed a very solid race in Mock Turtle to take third place. Simon Moss sailed Complication with Thomas (aged only 5), but found the wind a bit too gusty in places and retired early. Margaret Purkis’ boat named My Little Margie was sailed by Brian Miatt into fourth, crewed by Gary Holdsworth.

Sunday dawned with a slightly lower and steadier breeze. All three of the day’s races were sailed between the Bridge and Ship marks. Little Meg took another early lead only to be passed on the run by Howard Chadwick & Helen Nicolson sailing Triada. Invasion, with Daniel in the front end, was not far behind and the three boats had a very tight battle. The lead changed several times, often with the third place boat moving in front. Eventually the order settled out with Invasion leading Triada, with Little Meg in third and Let’s Go, sailed by Brian Herring & Ros Steavenson, in fourth.

After lunch the wind strengthened a little. Triada got off to the best start ahead of Little Meg, with Invasion held up in the fleet. Little Meg managed to get past on the run and in the stronger breeze pulled out a convincing lead, which she held to the finish. Invasion took third with Let’s Go again in fourth. In the final race Little Meg got the best start and was largely unchallenged to the finish. It was Triada’s turn to get stuck at the start and the race finished with Invasion in second place followed by Triada then Twice Shy, sailed by Neil McInnes and Rachel Dean.

Overall Results:

1st “Little Meg” N2545, Philip & Helen David, 3.5pts
2nd “Invasion” N2531, Vince & Alex/Daniel Phillips, 3.5pts
3rd “Triada” N2266, Howard Chadwick & Helen, 7pts
4th “Mock Turtle” N1620, Ian Purkis & Lewis/Gary Holdsworth, 13pts
5th “Let’s Go” N1673, Brian Herring & Ros Steavenson, 13pts
6th “Twice Shy” N3216, Neil McInnes & Rachel Dean, 16pts
7th “My Little Margie” N1483, Brian Miatt & Margaret Purkis, 17pts
8th “Complication” N2430, Simon Moss & Thomas Moss, 24pts