Thorpe Bay YC – National 12 Open - 25 & 26 May 2002
On Saturday 25th May, Thorpe Bay saw around a dozen National 12’s looking across the “washing machine” like view of the Thames Estuary. After a one hour postponement, 8 intrepid crews took to the water, although the wind was such that 3 of those failed to make the start. Of the remainder, Chris Mayhew and Charlotte Ibbotson were first around the windward mark with Team Aardvark, Mike Cooke and Smilie John in second. Cooke chased hard down the first reach but then capsized at the gybe leaving Mayhew well clear. Moving up to second place were Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall with Ian Gore, sailing with brand new wife, Alex, just behind. The Gores moved up to second on the run and then, with the wind now blowing over 30 knots, started catching Mayhew. On the final short beat, the Gores crossed Mayhew and looked to have won the race, however they just touched the finishing mark, letting Mayhew take the race, with Camm close behind in third. There were no other finishers.
On the Sunday, with the waves breaking over the seawall onto the road, racing was abandoned, giving Mayhew and Ibbotson a well deserved overall victory.