National 12 Gill series 2003 – Event Six

 & Inland Championship

Datchet Water SC – September 6^th & 7^th

 

The sixth event of the Gill N12 series and Inland Championship was hosted by Datchet Water SC on 6 & 7 September. The 48 boats arrived on Saturday to find a good breeze blowing across the top of the wall. Unfortunately, London has been drinking a lot of water in the heatwave, and the racing was held in light conditions thirty foot beneath the edge of the wall. Following a general recall caused by a brief squall as some dark clouds passed overhead, the wind once again died and the class’ well practised light wind skills were once again called on. Will and Arthur Henderson, followed by Mike Hoyle and Chloe Willis made best use of the conditions to win a race in which people gained and lost 10 places a leg.

 

The majority of the fleet voted with their feet against a second race, only for the wind to fill in once race officer, Mike Jackson had abandoned sailing for the day. Henley SC hosted the evening’s social with a seminar by Geoff Camm on Rules at Marks and an excellent Sausage Sizzle.

 

Sunday dawned completely windless, but following a lengthy postponement two races were sailed. A number of people decided that the conditions weren’t for them and went home early. Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne followed by Chris Bishop and Pippa Jeffries pulled out a lead from the rest of the fleet to finish in that order, with Caroline Martin and Lesley Iles taking third from Mike Hoyle and Chloe Willis in the closing stages of the race.

 

Race three was held in better conditions with a consistent wind blowing across the lake. Camm and Ballantyne comfortably won the race from the Hendersons, who were a distance in front of John Whitehead and Lydia Wood.

 

Overall Results:

1^st N3469 “Thanks For All The Fish”, Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne,

2^nd N3418 “New Isabelle”, Will Henderson & Arthur Henderson

3^rd N3438 “Lola”, Mike Hoyle & Chloe Willis

4^th N3455 “Bart”, Caroline Martin & Lesley Iles

5^th N3477 “Clandestine” John Whitehead & Lydia Wood

 

Admirals Cup:

1^st N3389 “Not Another Bill”, Gavin Willis & Hasmine Willis

2^nd N3209 “Rebel”, John Cheetham & Alison Cheetham

3^rd N3365 “Jemima”, Jerry Garner & Margaret Garner

5^th N3385 “Wild Front Ear”, Mark Hoffman & James Hoffman 

 

The highest placed junior was Chris Bishop & Pippa Jeffries. Will & Arthur Henderson were highest placed in the Family Cup.

 

Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne have taken the lead of the Gill N12 Series from the new Lightning National Champion Ian & Alex Gore after 6 events. Almost 100 boats have taken part in the Series to date and the final event on November 1^st looks to be highly competitive, with many contenders fighting for the top spot in each of the four trophies.

 

Graham Iles

National Twelve Owners Association.