Allen Burton Week 2025 - N12 National Championship - Runners and Riders

Gul National 12 Burton Week at Brightlingsea © Fiona Brown

The National 12 fleet return to Brightlingsea Sailing Club this year for their national championships, having previously visited in 2016 and 2011. The whole event is sponsored by Allen Brothers, with U21 Sponsorship provided by Dinghy Shack and boat age-related handicap results and prizes sponsored by Blood Red Clothing. The event also counts as one of the Craftinsure National Series Events.

Plenty of prizes to go round, by who will be winning them?

Event Favourites

Tom and Isobel Stewart - N3544(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce) are multiple champions together who rarely put a foot wrong. Having won in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 they have two options, maintain or go down. Tom first won the Burton Cup in 1994 and started winning the whole event in 1999. So plenty of experience! However, not much recent form to go on and indifferent performances by Tom at the Merlin Rocket Nationals and Isobel at RS200 championships might worry the cautious investor as the odds will be short. Good on flat and over fences.

Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelsen - N3543(Breed: Hijack) Last time out together in the N12 was two years ago and were a strong second to Stewart and Stewart in decent conditions. A long hiatus since, where they have become UK Team Racing Champions, twice in the case of Cally. Ollie picked up the Burton Cup last year riding with Helen Hilditch. Ollie has had good recent outings at Scorpion & Merlin Championships and is doing well at the Fireflys currently, but has left the 12 untouched all summer. They both have unfinished business and should figure in the closing stages. Like fences. Have all the talk.

Maturing

Graham and Blue Camm -N3530(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce) Graham and Blue come into the Championships on the back of a big win at Royal Harwich and winning 4 from 4 in the Medium Handicap Fleet at Chichester Harbour Race Week. They don't need to fear anyone and will be hard to beat if light conditions prevail. Prefer the flat. This could be the year.

Each Way Bets

Jon Ibbotson and Rhona Enkel - N3540(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce) Whilst unfancied Jon left others in the field in his wake at the recent Merlin Rocket Championships when he benefited from new HD sails. Returns to tried and tested P&B sails for the N12 and sure to be in the frame with Rhona after a good result at Royal Harwich N12 Open and have been seen doing some club racing there too. Jonno will be hoping to be first "John" overall.

Returning Legends?

Antony and Jo Gifford - N3529(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce) Antony is a Class stalwart who won the championships in 1998 but has largely been indifferent over a longer series since. But a strong showing at recent Salcombe Merlin Week suggests form is temporary but class is permanent. Good for a race win, not sure if they have staying power, and there is confusion over if they have bought a new rig or not, if they have it will undoubtedly help.

Ian and Alex Gore - N3525(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce and Steve & Joanne Sallis - N3531(Breed: Dead Cat Bounce) Whilst the Gores stormed the recent North West Norfolk Week and took all the trophies home, there was little to choose between these two boats by the end of the week in the races at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club. Both carry great experience. Ian won the Burton Cup and the Week in 1997, and Steve has won races, and consistently returned 2nd or 3rd over the line since before Tom Stewart was even helming N12s. Gores on balance prefer the flat whilst Sallis may edge over fences.

Jeremy & Luke Hartley - N3548(Breed: Hijack) Despite confirming they weren't attending, a last minute offer of Nick Copsey's Hijack has lured Jeremy back in. Jeremy won the Week and Burton Cup as crew in 1985 and won the Burton Cup as helm in 1988. Regrets selling the prize thoroughbred (the original Dead Cat Bounce) in 2019 and returned in 2022, 2023 and 2024, sailing a different breed each time, and again different for 2025. Lack of recent N12 practice might slow them down, but Jeremy has spent most of his summer riding his Moth or Europe. Will history repeat itself?

Longer Shots

Nick and Rory Bubb - N3462(Breed: Feeling Foolish with T-foil) Former Offshore solo racer Nick is no stranger to a challenge, previously helping build some N12s with N12 Legend Nigel Waller. Following a few years out to stud away and from dinghies Nick and Rory had their debut Burton Week in 2024 and have been tweaking the boat since and are back for more! Young crews develop quickly, so the question is has the old man got what it takes?

Novelty Bets

Rory Gifford and Ben Whaley - N3514(Breed: Feeling Foolish with T-foil) Rory doesn't like helming so it's a bit of a surprise to find him lining up with former RS200 champion Ben Whaley. Genuine outsiders but you never know anything could happen. May need blinkers over fences and complete lack of proven experience.

Ed Willet and Sarah Robinson - N1833(Breed: Proctor Mk9) Ed last turned up at Burton Week in 2016, and this race horse was owned by Ed's father in the 1960s, with Ed crewing it from age 8 or earlier. With Ed claiming a top ten result at the N12 Inlands in 2024, stranger things have happened. Ed has managed to build the N12 fleet at Whitefriars Sailing Club from 1 to 18 boats in the last two years so if enthusiasm and encouragement generates results, Ed and Sarah are well placed!

Results will be posted daily on the N12 Facebook Group, N12 Facebook Page and N12 Website at www.national12.org

The 2025 Burton Cup is scheduled for Sunday 24th August.

Gul National 12 Burton Week at Brightlingsea - photo © Fiona Brown