Middle Nene Open Meeting

 A) Team Racing, Saturday November 4th.

The gods smiled on Thrapston on November 4th providing a perfect interlude of bright sunshine and a force 2-3 south-westerly between the succession of Atlantic lows. Ten two-boat teams competed in a round-robin series of 9 races in flights of five. P.R.O David Marks decreed an uninterrupted sequence of starts, keeping crews on the water for almost 5 hours from 10.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m. This proved a wise decision as the wind died and the light was fading during the final race.

The conditions were ideal for team racing and some fierce battles ensued. Clearly the Ben Ainslie video provided a lot of inspiration. The winning team "Pure Foolishness", consisting of Bim Daser with Kate Edwards (N3410) and Jon Brown with Jane Jones (N3426). They won all their 9 races, with an epic battle when they met "Arousal Beans" (Graham Camm with Zoe Ballantyne N3387, and Geoff Camm with Amelia Hall, N3404) who had to be content with 8 wins. The Giffords (Antony and Frances Gifford, N3431 and 3447, from Aldeburgh SC, crewed by Jo Brown and Richard Bailey), were 3rd with 7 wins.

The evening was capped by the traditional bonfire, fireworks and disco in true MNSC style.
Team places:

1 Pure foolishness Bim Daser and Kate Edwards N3410 (9 wins)
Jon Brown and Jane Jones N3426  
2 Arousal Beans Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne N3378 (8 wins ) Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall N3403
3 The Giffords Antony Gifford and Jo Brown N3431 (7 wins)
Frances Gifford and Richard Bailey N3447
4 Hooray Henleys John and Kate Meadowcroft N3429 (6 wins)
John and Mandy Thornton N3393

 B) Open Meeting for the Guy Fawkes Trophy, Sunday November 5th.

Sunday dawned cold and calm with an imminent Atlantic depression with southerly gales forecast. 34 boats came to the start in a light southerly breeze and pleasant winter sunshine which provided a gentle first race. Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (N3488) rounded the first mark in the lead, closely followed by John and Katy Meadowcroft (N3429) and John and James Whitehead( N3458). These three opened a good lead and were not further challenged, finishing in that order.

The wind improved to force 2-3 and swung to the south-east for the second race. The fleet got away after one general recall. Caroline and Eleanor Martin (N3375) rounded the windward mark first followed by Tom Stewart and the Meadowcrofts. On the first reach Tim Tomlinson and Jessica Pullen (N3459) broke through to 3rd and the Martins dropped to 4th. As the race progressed Stewart passed the Meadowcrofts and subsequently held his lead. Places changed as Jon and Charlotte Ibbottson (N3445), Michael Cooke and Alex Harris (N3419), Ian Gore and Penny Harris (N3441) passed the Meadowcrofts to finish in that order.

Although the trophy was secured by Tom Stewart with 2 wins, the places were still wide open for 24 boats to contend the third race, which was sailed in increasing wind as the rain front arrived. Ian Gore arrived at the first mark followed by Jon Ibbottson and Tom Stewart. Stewart capsized on the reach and Ian Gore slipped back, allowing Jon Ibbotson to take the lead and Jon Brown with Jane Jones (N3426) and the Meadowcrofts to move into 2nd and 3rd places.

The final points order was
1 Tom Stewart and Liz Ross N3448 RHYC
2 Jon and Charlotte Ibbotson N3445 RHYC
3 John and Katy Meadowcroft N3429 Henley S.C.
4 Mike Cooke and Alex Harris N3419 Nottingham S.C.

The Vintage Boats trophy went to Laurie and Pat Jones (N2701, Sting, MNSC) designed and built by Laurie in 1973.

Laurie Jones, 17 Marriotts Close, Felmersham, Bedford MK43 7HD.
email: lhjones@altavista.net.