Mirror Northern Tavellers Series 2012
by Matt Grayson 16 Oct 2012 14:44 BST
March - October 2012
Mirror Northern Travellers at Ullswater © Helen Grayson
The Mirror Northern Tavellers 2012 started at Ripon Sailing Club, in March 2012 and had its finale at Otley Sailing Club in October. The event had a total of eleven events and should have, half plus one to qualify. However, the event at the Yorkshire Ouse club had to be abandoned due to severe weather, so travellers only had to sail in five to qualify.
Ullswater was the second traveller event in April and saw fifteen Mirrors come together to compete. Racing was very competative and saw some of the sailors show of their skills who would feature later in the year in the major events. Rory McKenzie later on in the year winning the Mirror Europeans with his crew Harvey Martin and Emma Grayson who would go on to win the Mirror Inlands, as a singlehander.
The next three events at Hollingworth, Elton and Beaver sailing clubs saw Sarah Richards (singlehander) and the combination of Rachel (Reg) Grayson and crew George Richards make their moves on the championship, posting 1,8,1 and 3,2,2 finishes respectively. Emma Grayson and Tom Dean where steady away with consistant results also.
As mentioned before the event at the Yorkshire Ouse Sailing Club was abandoned because of too much water. Organisers thought we would be dodging cows in the fields!!
Two events followed in the North West, at West Lancs and Bassenthwaite Sailing Clubs, each saw low numbers but, what was encouraging that local boats were present supporting their clubs efforts. The same occured at Derwent Resevoir Sailing Club in the North East, singlehander Rob Dean securred a good third place, his second in the year.
Then came Pennine Sailing Club who hosted the Mirror Northerns which was incorperated in the Travellers. Joined by sailors from as far as Cornwall the competition raged with a good win from Rory Odell and crew Lewis, from Northampton Sailing Club. Followed by a fine second from Emma Grayson and her new crew Ben Settle. This last combination would then go on to win the final event at Otley Sailing Club and secure the series for Emma Grayson.
Overall Results:
1st Emma Grayson
2nd Reg Grayson and George
3rd Tom Dean
4th Rob Dean
To conclude, over firty-five Mirrors competed in the Mirror Northern Travellers in 2012, yes, some came from the midlands and the south coast to support the larger events. But it does show there is a large number of Mirrors in the North. Next year the Northern Mirror travellers will return to Filey for a venue on the sea and will attempt to sail on the River Ouse! Thanks to all the competitors who took part in this years competition, get your axle grease out for next year and come and sail in some fantastic locations.