NATIONAL 12 SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Lothian Yacht Club were the hosts for the 2006 National 12 Scottish Championships, raced for on 26 and 27 August, and provided the fleet with a great weekend of sailing and socialising.

Saturday’s first race was postponed for half an hour due to lack of wind, with the Race Officer knowing his sailing water well and hanging on for the breeze to kick in, which it did right on cue. Bernard Clark/Sue Jones took an early lead and held it to the end, although Mark and Emma Simpson showed increasing speed to push hard for the finishing line. Roger Brisley and James Gibbons took 3rd place.

The wind continued to strengthen for the next 2 races, which seemed to really suit Mark and Emma, who had blistering speed and claimed line honours in both of them. Bernard and Sue pushed them hard to take 2nd place in each race, with Roger and James hard on their heels. With the wind now gusting 35mph the fleet were glad to get safely back ashore. The evening was spent ‘Caribbean’ style in the Clubhouse with some fantastic cocktails, a superb supper and some brain-teasing quizzes. It must be said that the 12 fleet did not cover themselves in glory in their knowledge of the geography of the Caribbean although they did manage to name most of the pirates listed which some may take as a worrying sign!

Sunday morning saw the wind blowing stronger than it had on Saturday and the Race Officer left it to the fleet to decide if they wanted to race. With all to play for Bernard and Mark were keen to go, and set off to the course. It soon became evident that the conditions were too wild for safe racing and various members of the fleet got to taste the water as the increasingly large waves pitch-polled the boats. The fleet sailed home and after a lunch of pie and beans Mark and Emma Simpson were ‘crowned’ Scottish Champions again. Roger Brisley and James Gibbons were worthy winners of the Mariner Mug for the first Admiral’s Cup boat.

Overall Results:

1st: Mark and Emma Simpson (N3472, Big Issue), Scaling Dam SC

2nd: Bernard Clark/Sue Jones (N3447, Final Chapter), Yorkshire Ouse SC/Nottingham SC

3rd: Roger Brisley and James Gibbons(N3334, Design 8), Scaling Dam SC/ELYC

4th: Stewart Miatt/Chris Scott (N3464, Final Chapter), Yorkshire Ouse SC/ELYC

Admiral’s Cup Fleet:

1st: Roger Brisley and James Gibbons(N3334, Design 8), Scaling Dam SC/ELYC

2nd: Angus and Rowan Beyts (N2717, China Doll), Tummel SC

Eric Robertson, Commodore ELYC, presents N12 Scottish Champions Mark and Emma Simpson with an ELYC burgee.Photo credits: Angus Beyts

Eric Robertson, Commodore ELYC, presents the Mariner Mug for the first Admiral’s Cup Boat at the N12 Scottish Championships to James Gibbons and Roger Brisley.Photo credits: Angus Beyts