National 12 Open at Carsington Sailing Club
by John Nixon 26 Jul 2012 09:58 BST
22 July 2012
National 12s at Carsington © Richard Harvey
The day dawned warm, bright and breezy for the ten National 12's who turned out at Carsington reservoir in Derbyshire for what was to turn out to be a champagne sailing day. For several takers it was their first open, Tyrone Wood was christening his new Paradigm 2 and the three Midlands based "Puddings" (Steam..., More a Tart Than a... and Wot More...) were all in attendance.
Race 1 started in a 3-4, race officers for the day Janet and Kevan Bloor setting an Olympic triangle. A swim at the first gybe put local boat John Nixon and Sue Howe out of the front running and "Feeling Foolish" as the pecking order for the day started to unfold. Andy Mckee and Jaydon Wood in a Dead Cat Bounce leading followed by Ian Smith and Jenny Chen in their Crusader and John and Alison Cheetham in a Numinous.
Race 2 started in a building breeze, left side paying with Veteran Stalwarts Paul Turner and Christine Preston in Shotgun well up and leaving the boats out towards the centre of the lake with a job to do. Andy and Jay worked back to the front taking a second bullet, Ian and Jenny second and David and Christopher Speddings working hard left in their Crusader on the last lap taking a well-earned third at their first open. The two Johns (Nixon and Cheetham) went toe to toe down the last run. JC got the inside berth at the last mark and the nod at the line.
Lunch over the fleet re-rigged for race 3. With the breeze still building there was an air of apprehension but Mal and Jojo Hall lead the way out and the rest finally followed. In the swinging morning breeze the reaches were tending to runs and so Janet and Kevan re-set with a "zig zag" course. The conditions were now full-on making for white knuckle reaches and gybes with several swimmers. Ian and Jenny came to grief when they tangled with a wayward cruiser ending up under the bow. Extricated from their dilemma they soldiered on. At the finish Andy and Jay again came out on top, John and Alison second, John and Sue third with Ian and Jenny battling their way back to forth at the line.
A depleted fleet lined up for the last race and with several fallers there were only 3 finishers.
Andy and Jaydon ran out overall winners, Ian and Jenny second and John and Alison (sailing for the first time this year) in third. Ian and Jenny in the Crusader were also first Admiral's Cupper with Paul and Christine taking the vintage prize in Shotgun.
After a great day out in the sunshine, the fleet went home very tired, happy and well fed on the now legendary Carsington custard tart.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Design | Helm | Crew |
|---|
| 1 | 3529 | Dead Cat Bounce | Andy Mckee | Jaydon Wood |
| 2 | 3316 | Crusader | Ian Smith | Jenny Chen |
| 3 | 3468 | Numinous | John Cheetham | Alison Cheetham |
| 4 | 3514 | Feeling Foolish | John Nixon | Sue Howe |
| 5 | 3226 | Crusader | David Speddings | Christopher Speddings |
| 6 | 3445 | Man of War | Malcolm Hall | Jojo Hall |
| 7 | 3519 (3412) | Final Chapter | Chrisopher Troth | Pru Dixey |
| 8 | 2359 | Shotgun | Paul Turner | Christine Preston |
| 9= | 3286 | Design 8 | Murray Leiper | Sam Lieper |
| 9= | 3434 | Paradigm 2 | Tyrone Wood | Angie Woodall |