National 12 Vintage & Four Plank Open MeetingThe day dawned just like last year – foggy with no wind – but this time it took until midday for ripples to appear on the water; racing was postponed until after lunch so we all had plenty of time to get to know the new faces and boats that had appeared this year - see below in BOLD. Roy Smith had done a particularly nice restoration job on his Smuggler N2079 and was sporting some fab replica sunrise cut sails. The postponement also meant that there was time for the damage that N2700 Hooligan had suffered in transit to be sorted out – and hull comparisons made with John Sears unmodified Pipedream. Despite several stalwarts being unavailable (including Chadders, Nick Gill and John Cheetham) we had thirteen boats, including 10 vintage, ready for the first start. A perfect breeze arrived at lunchtime and race officer Keith Marshall set three races back to back to ensure good value for all especially those who travelled some distance to partake. All three were started downstream as a close reach or fetch to the bottom mark which lead to some entertaining, and good humoured, interpretations of the rules regarding the rounding of marks! 1st race – John Sears headed off into the distance with six boats competing for 2nd place which ended with Vince Phillips in his Whisper breaking free with Paul Turner in 3rd in Dolly Daydream.
The fleet
bravely heads into the Doldrums 2nd - Paul was first to the bottom mark starting from the leeward end of the line ahead of Alan Mason N1607 and lead through the doldrums but despite a tacking duel, Sears got to the top mark first and steadily drew away. On the reach downstream Vince was closing fast on Paul, who was much relieved that the shortened course flag went up!
A rare sight
this year – Paul leading the fleet, but only briefly! 3rd race – John Sears had another good start with Tim Gatti in N341 2nd acting as a mobile road block but Paul, Vince and Brain Kitching broke through in the Doldrums and battle continued with Vince 2nd and Paul 3rd at the finish.
Lots of very
close sailing! Sometimes too close – to the bank! Despite the best efforts of flotillas of trainee canoeists and assorted powered junk on the River Trent, it proved to be a fabulous afternoon’s sailing, enjoyed by all with competitive racing in all parts of the fleet – many boats finishing within seconds of each other. Final results – with observations! 1st overall & 4 plank John & Mark Sears, N2957 Punkawallah (Pipedream) Notts County/TVSC 2nd Vince & Alexander Phillips N2531 (Whisper) Yorkshire Ouse – 1st Vintage 3rd Paul Turner & Christine Marshall N2487 Dolly Daydream (China Doll) Trent Valley 2nd Vintage, 1st Heavyweight Highest boat/crew index (combined ages of boat, helm and crew) –
N341
Tim Gatti and Yvonne McInnes (who also won the first ribbed boat
prize)
Anorak corner:
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