National 12 Banger Trophy
Royal Harwich Yacht Club

The annual National 12 Bangor Trophy was held on Sunday 30th July at Royal Harwich Yacht Club. The trphy was originally donated to the club by club member Henry Baker to encourage club sailing and is open to members only. This year the turnout was impressive with 16 boats, making the sailing very competitive, with high class sailing throughout the fleet. The trophy was contested over 3 races with one discard.
After a short postponement whilst the light breeze settled, John Selby the Principle Race officer got the first race underway. The races was closely contested by Bruce Johnson and son Henry, Tom Stewart and Liz Ross the current National Champions, Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch , Graham Ireland and Michael Douglas. The Johnsons held off the challenge from Stewart to the end to win with Mayhew slipping to fourth on the final beat, with Ireland third.

The second race was sailed in similar conditions but the tide was now beginning to ebb which made the beats against the tide crucial. Mayhew stayed in-shore up the final beat to pass Ireland and take line honours, with Jon and Charlotte Ibbotson finishing third.

After lunch the fleet was greeted with a sea breeze to end the day with the best race. Jon Brown and Jane Jones rounded the windward mark first closely followed by the Johnsons and then Mayhew. The Johnsons went low on the run, but keeping inshore paid and Brown rounded the leeward mark closely followed by Mayhew. Mayhew then passed on the beat to lead for 2 laps. Racing was tight with the Johnsons recovering from an altercation with Ireland who needed to exonerate himself to remain in the race.

On the final beat Brown passed Mayhew, being able to tack into the strong ebb first and take advantage. While Brown covered Mayhew the Johnsons were catching fast, managing to just pip Mayhew on the line to win the even overall.

Chris Brown and daughter Stella had a

The close racing emphasised the quality and strength of the club fleet, the majority of which will be travelling to the National Championship in Torquay in 2 weeks time.

Overall Results
1st 3423 Bruce Johnson & Henry Johnson Texas Flood Final Chapter
2nd 3437 Chris Mayhew & Helen Hilditch Worth Its Weight Final Chapter
3rd 3421 Graham Ireland & Michael Douglas Last Tango Final Chaper
4th 3426 John Brown & Jane Jones Purple Pants Feeling Foolish
5th 3448 Tom Stewart & Liz Ross Feeling Foolish

1st Non Double Bottom Boat
3291 Chris Brown & Stella Brown Ready Money Design 8

Chris Mayhew