National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars Sailing Club

The weekend of the 6th and 7th September saw the first N12 event at Whitefriars SC in the Cotswold Water Park since the 1980s. The two day event comprised a Training day on the Saturday followed by racing on the Sunday. With 22 entries for the weekend this event promised to be the largest N12 Open meeting event outside of the Inlands and Burton Week.

Despite the weather which was true to forecast on Saturday with an 18mph breeze with 30mph squalls on top approximately 15 N12's took to the water split into two training groups. The two coaching teams of Graham and Felix Camm, Ed Willett & David Harris; and Kevin Iles, Zoe Ballantyne and Blue Camm worked with each boat individually calling out advice and instructions and videoing the sailors.

During the lunch break the videos were studied in the classroom with further feedback given before returning to the water for the afternoon on-the-water session. If anything the wind had now picked up further and the rescue teams were kept busy assisting capsized boats and recovering several, two of which included a broken mast (Steve Burgoine - N3489) and a broken boom (Trystan Leonard - N3458).

Whitefriars sailors battle it out: Ed Willett, Dominic Horner, Richard Gimmler and David Harris - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Terry Hewlett

Nevertheless the day's coaching proved very successful in refining heavy weather sailing skills with a further classroom session held before the tired and hungry sailors enjoyed the evening BBQ that the club had prepared.

With the forecast promising similar conditions for Sunday it was somewhat surprising to find a near flat calm and very light winds present as the somewhat depleted race fleet of 16 boats rigged for the first race.

Kevin Iles and Chloe Brisley (3527) battle with David Harris and Chloe Parkin (3290) in race 3 - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Terry Hewlett

The two morning races were sailed in generally very light conditions and were dominated by Graham and Blue Camm sailing N3234, a Baggy Trousers design, borrowed from class stalwart Jim Aldis. Kevin Iles & Chloe Brisley (N3527 Dead Cat Bounce) gave chase ahead of Tre & Lyla Jacobs (N3429 Feeling Foolish) and local sailors Dom & Evie Horner (N3520 Numinous) and David Harris & Chloe Parkin (N3290 Final Chapter).

Following a fantastic lunch prepared by club volunteers the forecast wind finally appeared building through race 3 and then peaking just before race 4 which was a very boisterous affair with flat out planing reaches in the squalls and hard hiking beats requiring utmost concentration and physical effort as the vicious wind slams also brought dramatic shifts with them. Needless to say the conditions brought about a change in the finishing order with Kevin & Chloe dominating both the windy races.

The Friars Tankard for the Overall Open meeting win went to Kevin & Chloe on countback, with Graham and Blue second and David & Chloe third.

Overall winners Kevin Iles and Chloe Brisley being presented with the Friars Tankard by Commodore Barry Hargreaves - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Markus Holden

The Whitefriars Trophy for the best placed club boat went to David & Chloe, with Ed Willett & Sarah Robinson (N1833 Proctor Mk9) second and Dom & Evie third.

As a way of encouraging those sailing older boats prizes were also awarded based on the N12 Class Association boat age related handicap system with Graham and Blue taking first ahead of Kevin & Chloe 2nd, David & Chloe 3rd, Ed & Sarah 4th, Tre & Lyla 5th and Dom & Evie 6th.

The prize-giving also saw N12 class stalwart Paul Turner return to Whitefriars for the first time since he had won the first two Open meetings there in 1974 & 1975. He presented the Shotgun Trophy for the first Vintage N12 in the national championships (recently held at the end of August at Brightlingsea) which went to Ed Willett & Sarah Robinson in N1833 who completed every race at the championships.

The meeting and prize-giving were generously sponsored by Blood Red Clothing.

Paul Turner presents Ed Willett and Sarah Robinson with the Shotgun Trophy - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Markus Holden

Overall a very successful event enjoyed by all who attended. The training was greatly appreciated with many feeling that they were already sailing better in Sundays races. Huge thanks to Race Officers Ivor Keates and Adrian Stanislaus who ran an exemplary race series and to all the Whitefriars Club officials and volunteers, onshore and offshore who are too numerous to mention by name.

There was a real mix of N12 designs taking part, spanning almost 60 years, illustrating that on an inland water an old boat sailed well can be as competitive as a new design. Old N12s make great, very cheap entries to the sport of dinghy sailing. It was also great to see a number of Whitefriars sailors borrowing N12s for the first time and doing very well, notable mentions to Richard Gimmler in N3394 and Alex Pegg in N3410.

Second overall, Graham and Blue Camm - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Markus Holden

Overall Results:

Third Overall, David Harris and Chloe Parkin - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Markus Holden

Results based on NTOA Handicaps:

Second Placed WSC boat, Ed Willett and Sarah Robinson, with Commodore Barry Hargreaves - National 12 training and open meeting at Whitefriars - photo © Markus Holden