National 12 Open Meeting 27-29th May 2000

National Twelves at Royal Harwich.

The three day National Twelve Open Meeting held at the Royal Harwich Yacht
Club will certainly be remembered by the thirty competing crews. A line
squall swept through the first points race, held on Saturday, and decimated
the fleet. Within a few seconds the wind increased from a moderate force two
to three to force ten! Rain, hail and tumultuous wind transformed an
otherwise interesting race into one of survival. Most dinghies weathered a
ferocious period by remaining capsized. Boats that flipped over during this
time broke masts and sustained various other damage. Race officer John Selby
wisely abandoned racing and eventually all competitors returned safely to
shore.

Weather conditions on the Sunday were little better. However,
during the lull before yet another storm, it was possible to sail a
somewhat curtailed Burton Salver race. Antony Gifford and Charlotte Ibbotson
sailing Jon Ibbotson's Waller built Final Chapter won a very close race
from Chris Mayhew and Helen Hilditch in another Waller Chapter. Mayhew led
at the penultimate mark but failed to cover Gifford, letting him through on
the final beat.

The points racing was confined to three races on the Monday morning. These
were sailed in superb conditions and some close and exciting racing was
enjoyed by the whole fleet. Tom Stewart and Elizabeth Ross stamped their
authority on the fleet sailing their Feeling Foolish design. They showed
blistering off wind handling skills in the lively conditions to secure two
first places. Bruce and Clare Johnson were the other race winning duo,
pulling out a useful lead in the final race. Steve Sallis and Jenny James
were also seen to be at the front of the fleet, as well as John and Mandy
Thornton, who showed that non double bottomed boats can still be
competitive. The meeting finished in glorious sunshine, and the fifteen
local boats were ashore in time for their crews to cheer their home football
team, Ipswich Town, into the Premier Division.

Overall Results: 

Burton Salver, 
1st Antony Gifford & Charlotte Ibbotson , N3445 Final Chapter, Aldeburgh Y.C.  
2nd Chris Mayhew & Helen Hilditch, N3437 R.H.Y.C.  
3rd Jon Brown & Jane Jones, N3426 Feeling Foolish R.H.Y.C.

Points Series, 
1st Tom Stewart & Elizabeth Ross 3448 Feeling Foolish R.H.Y.C
2nd Gifford & Ibbotson
3rd Steve Sallis & Jenny James N3436 Feeling Foolish Hykekam S.C. 
4th Bruce & Clare Johnson N 3423 Final Chapter R.H.Y.C...