The National Twelve Old Spice Northern Travellers fleet started their ‘autumn term’ with a one day meeting at Derwent Reservoir SC. Conditions were just about perfect, with blue skies and a good force 3 – 4 throughout the day.

Race Officer John Hardisty got the first race away promptly, and set the fleet a challenging course which saw them use the dam end of the water. Howard Steavenson/Rachael Matthews took an early lead followed by Mark and Emma Simpson and Bernard Clark/Philip Benn. This pack were hotly pursued by John and Alison Cheetham. On the second last lap Clark and Benn pulled through to the lead, and held this to the end. Steavenson and Matthews took 2nd with the Simpson’s third.

After lunch the fleet went afloat for 2 further races, which were sailed back to back. This time John set them a triangular course further down the water. Again Howard and Kate took an early lead followed by Clark/Benn, the Simpsons and the Cheethams. Howard/Kate lost the lead when an attempt at a very neat rounding of the windward mark became too close and they had to do turns. Clark/Benn snatched the lead and held it to the end. The Simpsons were once again 3rd.

Race 3 saw the fleet sail a starboard square course, with Clark/Benn leading from start to finish, although Howard/Kate pushed them hard to the first mark, until realization dawned that a starboard rounding was required which meant them having to bear away. The Simpsons were a consistent third.

With 3 firsts Clark and Benn took first place overall, with John and Alison Cheetham the first Admiral’s Cup boat.

The standard of racing seen at Derwent bodes well for an exciting and competitive weekend of sailing at Ripon and Yeadon SC’s on 7 and 8 October.

Final Positions:

1st Bernard Clark/Philip Benn, Yorkshire Ouse SC/Ripon SC, N3447 Final Chapter
2nd Howard Steavenson/Rachael Matthews, Tynemouth SC N3479, Big Issue
3rd Mark and Emma Simpson, Scaling Dam SC, N3472, Big Issue
4th John and Alison Cheetham, Yeadon SC, N3209, Crusader