Blaydon open meeting

 

The Blaydon Race 2012

Tynemouth SC sailed the long distance Blaydon Race upstream from the Newburn Slipway on the tidal River Tyne on Sunday March 18th. Conditions were very tricky on the first and longest lap with a generally light and very shifty wind on a fading flood tide. By the end of lap one the wind increased considerably and steadied in direction with crews now having to hike hard on the beat back upstream which was now also against the full ebb tide. The race was run for its full duration with competitors on the water for up to three hours. Although initially bunched together the five entrants in the National 12 class steadily sorted themselves out as the race progressed on lap one of the course.

 

Picture 1 Close racing on Lap One (photo Sarah Chadwick)

 

Philip David and Sue Jones in N3499, and Mark and Emma Simpson in N3462 both sailing double floored Feeling Foolish designs eventually broke clear and steadily distanced the others and enjoyed a very close race between themselves right up until the very end with the result going to Mark and Emma. Howard Chadwick and Jo Lee sailing the Design 8 N3356 were third after some mid race place changing with Ed Willett and Angus Beyts who were sailing a 1960 vintage Proctor Mk9, N1833 and Alex Tulloch and his crew in a Crusader N3223. Alex retired after one lap as the very light and shifty wind at the top mark together with the slowly strengthening ebb tide made completion of the entire course a frustrating and protracted affair.

The Competitors would like to acknowledge the OOD, Howard Elcock and the members of Tynemouth SC for hosting an excellent event and follow-up social in the local pub

 

 

 

Picture 2 Winners of the 2012 Blaydon race, Mark and Emma Simpson (photo Sarah Chadwick)

 

Overall results

 

1st	N3462	Red Snapper	Mark Simpson	Emma Simpson	Scaling Dam SC
2nd	N3499	Out of the Blue	Philip David	Sue Jones	Yorkshire Ouse SC
3rd	N3356	Squidgy Bits	Howard Chadwick	Jo Lee	Yeadon SC
4th	N1833	WaterNymph	Ed Willett	Angus Beyts	Loch Tummel SC
RTD	N3223	China Crisis	Alex Tulloch	Tulloch	Cramond BC

 

 

Picture 3 the start of the 2012 Blaydon race (photo Sarah Chadwick)