National 12 events 2005

Starcross Steamer

A clash with the Dinghy Show and Mothers Day was not the best of scheduling for the 2005 Steamer and the twelve fleet was not as numerous as hoped but still
managed to be the next biggest class after the Lasers and Merlins.

Clear skies and a lightening breeze boded well for a rerun of last years 12 victory, with some glum faces amongst the trapeze boat crews, however the race committee had decided to give everyone else a chance with 12s starting 41 minutes after the first start and about five minutes behind the Merlins... Once it was pointed out to them that the handicap was in fact 1093 and not 1003(!) we got a rather more sensible start time.

Early leader amongst the 12s was Richard King in 3377, however this was unfortunately due to having started a minute early. Richard was nevertheless pleased with the opportunity to try out his shiny new sails in some clear air and showed a good turn of speed. The early lead from the start proper was shared by
Crispin & Richard in 3378 and Tim & Sam in 3295, Mark Phillips crewed by last minute stand-in Jimmy Whitehead had an unusually poor start due to failing
to possess a watch between them. However, Mark had the consolation of Jimmy's unstinting (some might say unstoppable...) advice around the race course, 'I realise where I've been going wrong now' said Mark after the race.

The lead was decided by a port-starboard at the first windward mark with Crispin being forced to tack away allowing Tim and Sam to pull out a bit of distance. Mark and Jimmy had quickly managed to work up through the fleet to 3rd. The pattern of the breeze was now beginning to become apparent with a regular lighter/stronger cycle every 10 minutes or so, 3295 managing to leave Mark and Crispin in a light spot and stretch out a little further. Unfortunately the lead Wayfarer was able to catch the stronger breeze as well giving them what ultimately proved an unassailable lead.

The next couple of laps saw Mark eventually find a way past the fast moving Crispin, although Crispin came back strongly on the next downwind leg in a patch of breeze that nobody else got. The stronger bits of breeze were ultimately the downfall of the 12s this year with the bigger boats hitting hull speed and the assymetrics getting on the plane. Into the last lap and Mike Calvert in his Merlin came charging through the fleet to take second. A Comet Trio edged ahead of Tim & Sam on the reach while a B14 slipped round the leeward mark just ahead and then two RS400s rolled through in the last 100yds. So that was that, the first 12 being N3295 finishingup 8th overall in a fleet of 60. Mark and Jimmy held off Crispin for second several places further back. Tina Mackie, ably crewed by fellow 12 helm James Chew, managed to scoop the first lady helm prize for
the second year running. While newest Starcross additions Nathan Harding and Fran Loftus managed to hold off Vyv and Charlie Game, both crews probably wishing for a bit more breeze!

12 Results:

1) N3295 Tim Laws & Sam Game
2) N3480 Mark Phillips & Jimmy Whitehead
3) N3378 Crispin Taylor & Richard Higston

1st Lady Helm N3247 Tina Mackie & James Chew