Wuthering winds, and a clash of dates in the Twelve calendar, saw only three National Twelves take to the waters of Olton Mere, Solihull, on Saturday 20th March. The wind was already 5, gusting 6, as the 5 minute gun sounded, and it was Ian Hurst and son Daniel who were the first to go over. By the time they recovered and made it belatedly through the start line, the family team of Steve and Tom White had been driven onto the pitching and the third Twelve, sailed by Jonathan Wood and Richard Bower, was also in trouble. The Hursts battled on around the course, but were decidedly grateful when the OD applied sympathy and discretion and shortened course to finish the race at the end of the first lap!

An attempt was made to start the second race, but by now the rising wind began to exact gear failures upon the first boat out. With gusts rising to 8 and over, stripping sheets of water from the normally sheltered Mere, the second boat was hammered flat and the OD abandoned the rest of the days racing. Thus it was that Ian and Dan Hurst, in Tiswas N3138, took the one and only honour for the day, all other crews having retired!