In contrast to rest of country, North West Norfolk Week
enjoyed its usual sunny and warm micro-climate, perfect for 25-plus
strong fleet of National Twelves (and, it seems, local population of
ladybirds, which were everywhere). competitors were put through
ir paces by variety of winds, ranging from a force 4-5 at windy
Wells to a flat calm mid-race at Blakeney, and by various
eccentricities of 6 different venues over 11 races in 7 days, which
is part of what makes NWNW so unique.
Paul Turner has written a
view
from back
For those who have never done Norfolk Week before and are wondering what
it’s like, brief reviews of various venues follow below:
Hunstanton
Famous for its red sandstone cliffs, which contrast with green of
park and golf course above. Admittedly, parts of town are a
little tacky, but beach is clean and chalets for hire right next
to dinghy park make a good base for families for day. Sea
Life Centre is a good family attraction for a rainy day.
Key challenges: leaving dinghy park without an ice-cream
from conveniently placed kiosk, remembering where sandbanks lie
in relation to race course.
Racing: 2 days in a medium breeze with good surfing waves and
four winners - John & Katy Meadowcroft (in just launched Rondar Paradigm
2), Tom Stewart & Pip Jefferis, Pellings and Graham Camm & Zoë
Ballantyne.
Kings Lynn
sailing club is a little tricky to find amid town’s one-way
system, but is small and friendly with a balcony overlooking river.
town itself has a pleasant enough shopping centre to keep
babysitters occupied.
Key challenges: finding slipway, launching in slippery mud
Racing: We were greeted by a visiting replica 15th Century
galleon with cannons firing – not to be mistaken for start signal.
Tom Stewart and Pip Jefferis got away on start line and were never
really challenged for lead. following pack fought hard for
places and split sides of river, one group going for less tide,
or for more wind. Eventually Graham Camm claimed second place with
Ian Gore in third.
Wells
Famous for its wonderful beach and much-photographed colourful beach
huts. beach is so large that even in August re is plenty of
space, and has a good view of racing area for spectators. town
is about 15 minutes walk away along sea wall (or 5 minutes by
miniature train) and centres around quayside, where much crabbing
takes place. re is an outdoor children’s playground and an indoor
soft play space for wet days.
Key challenges: getting out of and back into harbour down
winding channel without running aground or running out of wind. Most
competitors were forced to get out and walk at some stage! Wednesday saw
first of early morning starts (6.30 am), so getting out of bed
in time was tricky.
Racing: As always seems to be case, it was windy at Wells.
winners on each day (Paul Pelling and Antony & Jo Gifford) were
those who got a good start and arrived at windward mark first in
clean air, while rest of fleet jostled for position on
downwind legs.
Blakeney
A small village set on edge of marshes, famous for its seal
colony (boat trips available). Tiny club house, but good crabbing
potential.
Key challenges: Getting to start area (and back) down a
very narrow and shallow creek.
Racing: second early morning start of week at least had
a beautiful sunrise to inspire early risers. rising tide lifted
ladybird swarms off top of marshes so we were sailing
through a pink tide. Halfway through race wind died away
completely, leaving many going backwards in ebbing tide. Jon &
Charlotte Ibbotson were closest to shore at this point (with
centreboard and rudder lifted) and sidled along shallows to take
race, with Steve & Joanne Sallis claiming second and wise old man of
sea Patrick Elcombe crewed by Carole Shore taking third place.
fleet on run at Burham Overy Stai (courtesy Clare
Hunter)
Burnham Overy Stai
Host to Jenny Lee Trophy (not part of overall week’s results)
for N12s in memory of Jenny Lee, a former N12 sailor. Typical Norfolk
harbour full of traditional day boats, linked to sea via a winding
creek through marshes. re is a beautiful walk along sea
defences out to a long sandy beach backed by dunes.
Start of Jenny Lee (courtesy Clare Hunter)
Key challenges: not running aground on way to start on
many groynes protecting channel.
Racing: A lovely evening sail without forecast
thunderstorms, running downwind past parties of visitors barbecuing on
beach at Scolt Head, followed by a splendid reception and
prizegiving in race officer’s house. Tom & Pip found a deep water
channel off start line that also was out of tide and got a clear
lead whilst fleet behind jostled for places.
More at:
http://www.overystaisc.org.uk/results09.php#jlee
Snettisham
Is a venue where water disappears completely at low tide but at high
water it is a perfect sailing and fleet enjoyed two early morning
races in a nice force 3.
Key challenges: Finding venue amongst local caravan
sites
Racing: third early morning didn’t put many of fleet
off and so a good size fleet enjoyed surfing conditions. Graham &
Zoë won ir second race of week which put pressure on Tom &
Pip in final race. Antony & Jo were hot off blocks in final
race with Graham & Zoë close behind covering Tom & Pip carefully to
claim overall week.
Overall results
| 1st |
GRAHAM CAMM |
ZOE BALLANTYNE |
BURGHFIELD |
| 2nd |
TOM STEWART |
PIP JEFFERIS |
NORTHAMPTON |
| 3rd |
ANTHONY GIFFORD |
JOE GIFFORD |
ALDEBURGH |
| 4th |
JON BROWN |
JULIET BROWN |
UPPER THAMES |
| 5th |
JON IBBOTSON |
CHARLOTTE STEWART |
O C S S |
| 6th |
STEVE SALLIS |
JOANNE SALLIS |
HYKEHAM |
Full results available at:
http://www.norfolkweek.co.uk/National%2012%202009.htm
