National 12 events 2005

Gill series #4 - Weston S.C. 11th &12th June

The 23 boats which turned up at Weston for the fourth race in the Gill Series were greeted by a perfect sea breeze and sunshine, contrary to the forecast. Three races were held back-to-back on the Saturday. In race 1, Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne in Babel Fish reached the windward mark first, closely followed by Jon & Jules Brown in Tonto. A change of course before the start caused some confusion and two boats went to the wrong leeward mark, overtaking the rest of the fleet. Babel Fish just managed to hold off Tonto to the finish, with Jon Ibbotson & Helen Hilditch in Purple Turtle taking third. In race 2, Fran Gifford and Sophie Mackley in Zippy led for the first lap, but were overtaken by Babel Fish on the second beat. A 90 degree shift on the final lap as the sea breeze died made things interesting, with the final beat turning into a broad reach. After a major course shift, the third race got underway. Babel Fish again got to the windward mark first and battled out the whole race with Tonto, just managing to keep ahead to the end. After sailing and dinner, the fleet enjoyed a games competition, with blindfold balloon-popping and jelly bean racing.

On the Sunday, two races were sailed back-to-back in a medium northerly breeze. In the fourth race, Steve Broom and Simon Walworth in Passion Pudding had a storming first beat and got to the windward mark first. The pack of boats following close behind split gybes on the run. Mike Cooke & Emma Wilkins in Radical Edward went right and flew past the other boats to take first. On the next lap, both Radical Edward and Babel Fish were luffed hard by a Cherub, but Babel Fish managed to duck behind to take first place. In race 5, Purple Turtle got a flying start and led all the way round the race. The following pack of boats swapped places several times. Radical Edward had another good race, Terry & Angela Cooke showed great bursts of speed, and Zippy was doing well until she suffered an unfortunate capsize.

Results

1. Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne, Babel Fish, Burghfield SC

2. Jon & Juliet Brown, Tonto, Royal Harwich YC

3. Mike Cooke & Emma Wilkins, Radical Edward, Notts County

Admirals' Cup

1. Jerry & Margaret Garner, Jemima Puddleduck, Stour SC