Ely Open Meeting

Despite a depleted entry due to Mothers Day, Ely was the venue for some of the most exciting racing seen in National Twelves that day at Ely. Although not that sunny, the breeze was on and it proved difficult to get
cold post-rigging. The first race was led from the start by Frances Gifford and Neil Ravenscroft. Mike Cooke and Katie Abbott were ten metres behind from start to finish, on a course with many legs, providing the spectators with enormous entertainment.

The second race had a similar beginning although Cooke and Abbott managed to overhaul Gifford and Ravenscroft on the penultimate lap setting up a crucial deciding third race. This was led early on by Martin Hurst and Jonathan Garfitt with Gifford and Ravenscroft in second and Cooke and Abbott fighting their way through to third. Late on in the race the lead was taken by Gifford and Ravenscroft which was held to the finish to take the trophy, with Cooke and Abbott clinching second. Hurst and Garfitt took third to clinch third overall in a hard fought open meeting.

Overall :
1st - F. Gifford and N. Ravenscroft (Aldeburgh Yacht Club),
2nd M.Cooke and Katie Abbott (Nottingham Sailing Club),
3rd Martin Hurst and Jonathan Garfitt (Aardvark SC)