Twickenham National 12 Open, Sunday 7th October

The weather forecast of gales and rain obviously kept people away as only
six boats turned up to race for the Twickenham Challenge Cup on Sunday 7th
October.

The first race got underway in gusty and shifty conditions making it very
difficult for the competitors. Dave & Rose Croft in their immaculate
Pipedream "Close to the Edge" made the most of a gust and opened out a
sizeable lead. In pursuit, John & Katy Meadowcroft in their Feeling Foolish
"Fools Gold" and John & Mandy Thornton in the new Bim Daser Numinous design
"Pillow Fight" battled for second place. Local sailor Pip Deverson was
obviously putting her local knowledge to good use sailing well in fourth.
"Pillow Fight" got the better of "Fools Gold" but couldn't catch "Close to
the Edge" who won comfortably. With a couple of retirals, Pip Deverson
finished third behind the Thorntons in second.

After a very good lunch in the delightful clubhouse, and a few games of
tables football a depleted fleet of four boats went out for the second race
in deteriorating conditions. The Thorntons showed considerable skill in the
very difficult conditions with gusts coming in from all angles to pull out a
good lead. However a swim by the leaders allowed the others to catch up and
at the finish the Crofts had pulled into the lead on a gust to win from the
Thorntons and Pip Deverson again in third.

With the wind rising dangerously, racing was abandoned for the rest of the
day. However conditions were just as dangerous ashore; whilst packing up a
tree was brought crashing down narrowly missing the Crofts who dived for
cover. Luckily nobody was hurt, but two members' cars were squashed.

Final Results:

1st N2935 "Close to the Edge", Dave & Rose Croft, Henley SC
2nd N3468 "Pillow Fight", John & Mandy Thornton, Henley SC
3rd N2700 "Artic Tern", Pip Deverson & Friend, Twickenham YC
4th N3147 "Catatonic", Ben Deverson & Sister, Twickenham YC
5th= N3429"Fools Gold", John & Katy Meadowcroft, Henley SC
5th= N3426 "Purple Pants", Jon Brown & Juliet Brawn, Ranelagh SC