Gul National 12 Series at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Gul National 12 Series at Harwich © Antony Cullen / www.photographicday.com

Gul National 12 Series at Harwich © Antony Cullen / www.photographicday.com

The National 12's 2016 Gul Series continued this weekend, with the 3rd event of the year hosted at Royal Harwich Yacht Club. As with 2015, we were part of the 'Smuggler's Trophy' weekend which the RHYC has successfully held this year. However, the RHYC decided to innovate this year and run racing two separate race courses, to enable 4 fleets to have excellent racing with minimal wait in between races.

On the shore the wind appeared calm, although with the wind forecast from the south, 17 National 12s were in for a very shifty and gusty day. Race 1 consisted of a trapezoid course, with 3 laps. John Meadowcroft sailing N3543 (crewed by Oliver Meadowcroft) were quick to obtain a lead which they held, whilst further down the fleet a number of helms and crewed were beginning to control the boats in sudden windshifts and gusts (although Angus Beyts sailing N3231, (crewed by Duncan McGoldrick) kept insisting on falling over).

Chris Mayhew sailing N3437 (crewed by Nicole Mayhew) was sailing extremely well, although ultimately, in the strong breeze, held back by not having a foiling rudder. There was excitement throughout the fleet as at the bottom mark of the final leg, Neal Lillywhite sailing the immaculate N3271 (crewed by Freya Lillywhite) decided to impersonate a submarine. The nosedive rapidly turned into a capsize, much to the horror of George Finch in N3513 (crewed by Lucy Homer) who was following, at full reaching pace, less than a boat length behind. Some very quick rudder movement (and excellent crew work by Lucy) managed to avoid collision into Neal's upturned hull, although this did mean sailing past the mark and having to tack round, allowing two other 12s to past in the process – but most importantly (for Neal) no boats – or people – were injured!

Race two started in a similar fashion, although Jo Gifford sailing N3348 (crewed by Charlotte Stewart) seemed to be sailing very well up the first beat, reaching the first mark before some of the foiling boats! Just in front, George Finch sailing N3513 (crewed by Lucy Homer) was able to experience some colourful shouting from Jon Brown sailing N3483 (crewed by Sam Brown) who was trying to overtake and ask the crew to trim the jib at the same time. Luckily for Jon, initially this paid off, although all the hard work (and shouting – poor Sam!) was lost due to a capsize at the gybe mark. One can only presume that Antony Gifford sailing N3529 (crewed by James Gifford) thought this was a great idea and promptly copied Jon at the gybe mark! On the final lap, Chris Mayhew sailing N3437 (crewed by Nicole) looked as though they were set to do the same, causing Chris Day sailing N3526 (crewed by Sophie Day) and George Finch in N3513 (crewed by Lucy Homer) to tack round. Chris Mayhew managed to save the gybe and then remained in front of George. John Meadowcroft sailing N3543 (crewed by Oliver Meadowcroft) won the second race, with Tom Stewart sailing N3544 (crewed by Robbie Stewart) just behind. Further down the fleet, Nigel Waller in N326 (crewed by Rory Gifford) had managed to keep in front of Chris Palmer sailing N3244.

Gul National 12 Series at Harwich - photo © Antony Cullen / www.photographicday.com

National 12s were up to their usual tricks by race three. According to Race Officer Gordon Sutton, "the whole fleet were over the line". However, Gordon being the friendly race officer he is, decided not to fly the black flag, but to give any 12s over within 1 minute of the gun a 20% time penalty. This deterred most sailors, part from John Meadowcroft who had to be reminded by his crew (Oliver Meadowcroft) to get on the correct side of the line! By this time a few boats had retired and most of the sailors were getting tired. Nigel Waller's 1938 Uffa King N326 was surviving remarkably well, until a strong gust appeared at the top mark on the last lap of the final race, when a very loud bang was heard and the windward shroud plate suddenly raised over an inch. Quick to avoid disaster, Nigel tacked almost immediately with Rory Gifford reacting extremely fast, reliving the pressure from the now very loose shroud. Luckily they were able to sail into the shore without damaging the mast (which is the boat's original!). We sailed three laps of the trapezoid course before the race officer kindly shortened it. It was then into shore for a well deserved (any very tasty) RHYC Pie & Mash. John Meadowcroft in N3543 (crewed by Oliver Meadowcroft) took the third bullet of the day.

The racing on Saturday was close throughout the fleet, with foiling boats at the front end (although occasionally the three double-bottomed non-foilers were snapping at their transoms and overtaking) whilst five Admirals Cup (AC) boats were in strong competition, with the one vintage boat (N326 sailed by Nigel Waller and crewed by Rory Gifford) remaining good competition for some of the AC fleet. This reinforced the fact that whatever age of 12 you own, there is competitive racing to be had within the fleet In stark contrast, Sunday dawned a sunny but still morning. The odd zephyr appeared, but unfortunately nothing substantial. However, this did little to put off the sailors who had rigged and were ready for the Smuggler's Trophy Pursuit Race.

Some of the National 12 helms had even decided to swap their wives for their children to reduce the overall crew weight! First off in the National 12s, sailing N326 was Nigel Waller (crewed by Rory Gifford), followed a few minutes behind by the Admirals Cup boats, then Double Bottom non-foilers and then the foiling 12s started last. Starting with the tide enabled most to get away roughly on time, although some may have been facing the wrong direction!

Whilst some sailors opted to try and drift against the tide, Graham Camm in N3530 (crewed by his daughter) headed into the far shore to get out of the tide, but became becalmed as the wind reduced to nothing, although they were better off than some who were heading backwards with the tide!

Jon Brown in N3483 (crewed by Sam Brown) sailed to victory, with Nigel Waller in N326 (crewed by Rory Gifford) maintaining 3rd place, and 2nd National 12. After the very slow course, with no boats completing more than half a lap, the fleet sailed / pumped / paddled into shore to await the Race Officer's decision about the final 2 races of the series. Within an hour the weather had made up its mind and it looked as though no wind was going to arrive, so the last two races were abandoned.

Gul National 12 Series at Harwich - photo © Antony Cullen / www.photographicday.com

Many thanks to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club for hosting the National 12s and to Gordon Sutton and Tim Archer, the PROs for the day, enabling smooth racing for all four fleets on the Saturday by using two separate race areas on the river. Thanks also to Sarah Jane-Cook for running the pursuit race and for the photos by Antony Cullen, www.photographicday.com

The National 12 Gul Series continues at Sunderland YC on July 9th&10th but don't miss 12Fest and the Vintage Championships at Burton Sailing Club on 25th&26th June!

Overall Results: