National Twelves, Waldringfield Cartoon Trophy
September 25/26
A fleet of 18 gathered for the Cartoon Trophy weekend at Waldringfield, four races over two days. Conditions were good throughout the weekend, if you don't mind a bit of rain, with force three winds most of the time.
Jon and Charlotte Ibbotson led the first race from start to finish showing the solid form that has won them numerous events this year. They were chased by a pack from which Antony Gifford and Rich Bailey finally emerged to take second place, followed home by Bruce and Clare Johnson. A rather more eventful second race was again led by the Ibbotsons, pursued by Tom Stewart and Liz Ross. Coming from behind Gifford and Bailey caught the leaders and after a three way tussle broke through to lead and win. Stewart and Ross in second inexplicably dropped their rig over the side at this point, and shortly afterwards the Ibbotsons decided to have a quick swim.
On Sunday the first race saw an all new leadership, Jonathan Brown and Jane Jones broke away from fast improving Richard Williams and Rebecca Johnson, only to be caught by Tom Alexander and his crew in one of the older boats in the fleet. A close race was ultimately decided in favour of Brown and Jones, with Gifford and Bailey pulling through to 3rd and the Ibbotsons to fourth. The final and deciding race saw the two form crews return to the front of the fleet. Swopping places several times it was eventually Gifford and Bailey who pulled clear to win the race and the cartoon. As usual the differences in boatspeed amongst the new designs was negligable, on this occasion a Foolish narrowly defeating a Chapter.
1st Antony Gifford and Richard Bailey, 3431, Aldeburgh YC
2nd Jon & Charlotte Ibbotons, 3445, Royal Harwich YC
3rd John Brown and Jane Jones, 3426, RHYC