National 12 Scottish Championships 2013 at Annandale Sailing Club

Race 3 at the National 12 Scottish Championships © Alan Sharples

Richard Harvey and Crawford Paris in N3475 duelling with Nick and Tania Copsey in N3528 during the National 12 Scottish Championships © Alan Sharples

Ed Willett and Sarah Smith in N1833 won the Vintage section at the National 12 Scottish Championships © Alan Sharples

Annandale Sailing Club hosted the National 12 fleet on 6th and 7th April for the Scottish Championships, competing for the beautiful Scottish Daily Express Trophy which was first presented in 1956. The event was also a qualifying event for the National 12 Northern, Border and Vintage Travellers series, so a wide cross section of designs from the fleet were expected.

Saturday dawned as forecast, pretty chilly and very little wind. However as the fleet went afloat the wind started to fill in and settle in direction.

There was strong competition at the top of the fleet with a number of foiling Dead Cat Bounce and Feeling Foolish designs competing for the main prize.

In Race 1 foiling boats took the first four places with defending champions Steve and Joanne Sallis (N3531) holding off Nick and Tania Copsey (N3528) by 15 seconds to take the win. In the Vintage fleet Brian Herring and Ros Steavenson (N1673) took the win just 5 seconds ahead of Ed Willett and Sarah Smith (N1833) after a race long tussle.

Race 2 was held back to back with Race 1 and in an increasingly gusty wind that had continued to build through Race 1. Steve and Joanne were dominant and scored their second win of the event. Second place was however a hard fought battle between a number of boats with the Feeling Foolish (N3475) of Richard Harvey and Crawford Paris looking well placed early on; however ultimately Chris Day and Sophie Richards (N3526) took second a few seconds ahead of Harvey and Paris who in turn just held off Nick and Tania Copsey at the line with Ed and Tom Storey (N3514) mere seconds behind them. In the vintage fleet the increasing wind made things more processional with Ed Willett and Sarah Fleming leading home with Brian and Ros a minute behind.

The fleet then went ashore for a rest and some delicious Annandale hospitality. Race 3 commenced in the strongest winds of the day with gusts now offering exhilarating planning conditions if one could catch them on the right leg! Steve and Joanne reveled in the conditions and romped home a couple of minutes clear of second place for their third win. Chris and Sophie were second ahead of Nick and Tania and Richard and Crawford. Only one vintage boat ventured forth for this race, and perhaps those who stayed ashore had a point as Ed and Sarah capsized at one of the gybe marks to enjoy a swim in the icy waters of Castle Loch. However they righted their boat and finished the race.

On Saturday night Annandale laid on a fantastic evening meal provided by Steph & her team in the clubhouse kitchen all washed down with bottles of wine generously provided by Class rep John Hugo. Some hardy sailors camped overnight ready for more fun on Sunday.

Sunday dawned cold and still and the postponement flag dangled lifeless from the Committee boat. The scheduled start time came and went and competitors enjoyed a relaxing morning with much coffee, chat, dinghy park boat tuning and lounging in the sun. An early lunch with more fabulous food from Annandale's clubhouse kitchen was called for in the hope that the wind would arrive. However although zephyrs of wind had started to appear by 1:30pm the wind was too patchy and unpredictable and the OOD reluctantly called a halt to proceedings and abandoned further racing for the weekend.

Steve and Joanne Sallis from Hykeham SC deservedly retained the Scottish Daily Express trophy for the fourth year running. Second overall were Christian Day & Sophie Richards from Leigh & Lowton SC with Nick and Tania Copsey from Hunts SC in third. Ed Willett and Sarah Smith from Loch Tummel SC were winners of the Vintage section, ahead of Brian Herring and Ros Steavenson from Winsford Flash SC and Angus Beyts and Boo Coles from Forfar SC.

Class representative at the Club John Hugo generously raided his wine cellar to ensure that all went home with liquid sustenance to accompany the trophies.

The award of the Ladybird book of sailing for the most comical moment of the weekend had three contestants - Ed and Sarah for the only capsize. Angus and Boo for sailing into the Island! And Sophie Richards for her amazing ability to sleep in a tent dressed like the Michelin Man! Sophie duly accepted the "prize" with great humour!

Finally special recognition was given by Annandale SC to the three youngest sailors of the weekend being Tom Storey and Toby and Anna Simpson who received Annandale caps from Club Commodore Tony Bamforth.

Overall a most enjoyable event, only made possible by the visitors, some of whom traveled considerable distances to attend, and of course Annnadale SC who once again laid on a superb event, both on and off the water. The N12 Class would like to thank OOD Lindsay Tosh and all his supporters both on and off the water for an excellent event.

Overall Results: