7th and 8th May 2011
Weather forecasts were somewhat sporadic up to the morning of the first
day, so we all had to take a “sail with what you have” approach.
The wind, in all fairness, was in an unusual direction, even for TVSC
members, but at 14,30 on 7th May our stalwart Race Officer – John
Tilley, ably assisted by Ken Goddard, - started all 13 boats on a lovely
downstream start in a nice gentle breeze with the sun shining. We had an
excellent representation of National 12s from the young toddlers (Dead
Cat Bounce designs) to grand old duchesses (Shotgun, Starfish and China
Doll vintage designs) making for the start line; some of them with more
design than good fortune due to being not quite ready when the race
count down began. There was some jostling at the downstream mark
and being further back I cannot recall who was where but the eventual
finishing format was Graham and Zoe first closely followed by Jon &
Charlotte and David & Tricia - double-bottoms leading the way!
Photo: If only we had more space – could be the comment from the helm
on the restricted water or the author trying to work out how to get more
photo into the report – either way here are the National 12s starting.
After a brief sojourn for some tea – this was
Trent Valley after all, and everything has always stopped for tea – we
set off again for a couple of pursuit races. Our erstwhile RO had
decided upon 3 flights dependent upon finishing positions of the first
race, regardless of anyone changing boat/crew – and there were a few of
them. We completed two short pursuit races the results of which
were combined, with the eventual winner being declared as Nick Gill
(crewed by Christine Preston) after a very hectic last 10 minutes of
vigorous roll-tacking to keep Ian Norman (crewed by Louis Norman) from
getting past him. I believe the spectacle of such close tacking
was much appreciated by the shore-based audience, although I’m not sure
my legs did. 
Photo:
Graham, Zoe, Jon and Charlotte showing us how to sail DCBs on the river.
The day was rounded off by an informal dinner with optional fancy
dress – some of us have practised our 75yr old outfits ready for Burton
Fancy Dress, but well done to anyone who tackled the problem of 125 yr.
old costume to fit with the Trent Valley 125th Anniversary.
Next day saw a bright breezy start accompanied by breakfast rolls for
the overnighters and anyone who got there earlier enough. With 2
races before lunch we had to get ourselves organised. I am helped
here by some notes from Ken Goddard on behalf of the Race Officers.
Sixteen boats set off in one start, the wind SSW force 2-3. And it was a
very close start, but turned into a bit of a “soldiers” breeze with most
of the course being a reach of some description. It was thought
there was some advantage to modern boats with their new-fangled winged
rudders, especially as the first 3 boats had such gizmos, i.e. DCB and
Paradigm 2 designs.
Our next race became more complicated, having allowed everyone to
settle to a straight 2 mark course (although if you have ever sailed at
Trent Valley you will know there is no such thing as a “straight” 2 mark
course), our officers added in the Goddard chicane in front of the club
house – I suspect mainly to increase the spectator quality of the
sailing. Wind speeds increased and it was somewhat a delight not
to slog our way through the doldrums of Trent Valley course as the wind
direction minimised the effect of the trees.
Photo: Trent Valley stalwarts showing us how to stop it capsizing
when the wind caught them off-guard in the ‘Goddard chicane’
After well-deserved lunch break, we took to the water with winds
gusting 25mph – may not sound much but in a constricted stretch of water
it does call for enthusiastic tacking and energetic reaching to keep the
boat balanced during the gusts. By now I think Graham and Zoe had
an unassailable lead so the next placing was up for grabs. Amongst
the rest of the fleet we had some wild sailing – definitely nothing like
the last time I wrote about a N12 meeting at Trent Valley when it took
us 4 goes to get through the doldrums – this was wild stuff – well ok,
may be not compared with Salcombe etc. but it was certainly exciting and
adrenalin pumping for a restricted river.
At the end of the event we all agreed to good sailing, good
conditions, and good food.
Final results
Overall:
1st Graham Camm and Zoe Balantyne
N3530 Very Hungry Caterpillar
2nd John Ibbottson and Charlotte Stewart
N3528 Blue Kangaroo
3rd Gavin Willis and Rosie White
N3523 Lightning Storm
Admirals Cup
1st Tom White and Maria Gidley
N2765 Le Shed
2nd Nick Copsey and Naomi Bilton
N3411 Esmerelda
Vintage
1st Paul Turner and Christine Preston
N2457 Dolly Daydream
Pursuit Races
1st Nick Gill and Christine Preston
N2457 Dolly Daydream
2nd Ian Norman and Louis Norman
N3107 Zarniwoop
Gill Prize winners
Gavin Willis & Rosie White
N3523 Lightning Storm
Tom White & Maria Gidley
N2765 Le Shed
John Sears and Mark Sears
N2957 Punkawallah
Ally Britton and Ann Britton
N3157 Perfect Kiss
Ian Norman and Louis/Nicole Norman
N3107 Zarniwoop
Special Gill prize:
To Paul Turner for his magnificent contribution of lending out the
Breaston N12 museum for everyone to join in (namely Starfish to Nick
Gill/James Clark, Shotgun to Brian Kitching, Mr
Jones to Angus Beyts, Dolly Daydream to Nick gill for the pursuit
race
and MicroClipper to Ally Briton), presented by Christine Preston on
behalf of Nick Gill
Report by Christine Preston with valued input from Ken Goddard and
Paul Turner
And many thanks to our sponsor - Gill
Burton week
Organising an event