Inland Champs Thriller at Scaling Dam

The outcome of the National 12 Inland Championships was decided in the final seconds of the final race. The racing was incredibly tight within the 25 boat fleet. The beats were set very short with long reaches and runs between them meaning that passing lanes were few and far between. This made good starting essential, followed by good boat handling, as all mistakes would be punished by dropping places.

Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (N3501) opened the scoring winning race one with Graham Camm and Zoë Ballantyne (N3492) climbing through the fleet to finish second. Race two saw Graham and Zoë win with Tom and Liz overtaking past Inland champions Steve Sallis and Jenny James(N3436) to finish second.

Race three on Sunday morning was held in similar conditions to Saturday and despite the hangovers enthusiasm was still running high. Race three went the way of race one with Tom and Liz winners again. Antony and Jo Gifford held second place for most of the race but Graham and Zoë were always snapping at their heels and eventually broke through.
 

At the start of the fourth race a lot of the southerners were a bit keen to get things going and several boats were called over. Four boats went back including Tom and Liz. This opened up a chance which Graham and Zoë took overtaking the consistent team of Steve and Jenny to win their 2nd race of the series.

It was now all down to the last race Graham and Zoë needed to prevent Tom and Liz from winning, they had them doing turns pre start but unfortunately their 720 was well executed and they were able to sail into the same gap and make a clean start with Graham and Zoë racked up on a leeward boat. Steve and Jenny led followed closely by John Ibbotson and Charlotte Stewart (3494), Antony and Jo and then Tom and Liz. After four laps Steve and Jenny still held the lead, Tom and Liz had eventually got into second whilst Graham and Zoë recovered to fifth. With one lap left it was looking good for Steve and Jenny’s first win of the series, however Tom and Liz closed the gap and on the final beat a tacking duel ensued. After 6 tacks the leading pair were in danger of dropping into the pack, so they broke off, Steve and Jenny covered the favoured right hand side whilst Tom and Liz prayed for a left shift. When they crossed just short of the line Tom and Liz had a slim advantage, which they almost gave away as both boats tacked for the finish.

In the 10 boat Admirals Cup Division Phil and Helen David (N3217) held the advantage all weekend winning all the races including notching up a third in the whole fleet in race four. Second were John and James Brooks (N3162) who sailed a very consistent series. They are showing rapid improvement and will be an Admirals Cup team to watch out for.

John and Alison Cheetham (N3500) finished one place ahead of the Brooks to claim the family prize and the juniors was won by locals Dan Gaines-Burrill and Alex Oyston who were loving their first N12 experience.

Results summary

1st Tom Stewart and Liz Ross N3501 Northampton S.C.

2nd Graham Camm and Zoë Ballantyne N3492 Burghfield S.C.

3rd Steve Sallis and Jenny James N3436 Hykeham S.C.

Photos: Jennie Clark

Full Results