20 Twelves descended on Salcombe for the third
event in the 2012 Gill Series. There was plenty of wind forecast for the
bank holiday weekend which was fortunate as the event was held on a
strong spring tide. The conditions took their toll in race 1 with a
couple of boats running aground and breaking foils and two boats
breaking masts.
The first beat was quick with the strong spring tide behind the
fleet followed by a long run against the tide all the way from the bag,
past Blackrock and out to sea. Tom Stewart & Jo Gifford sailing Alice
the Camel took an early lead chased by
Jon Ibbotson & Charlotte Stewart in Blue Kangaroo. Places changed at
Blackrock as Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne in the Very Hungry Caterpillar
sailed into the lead and the helm of Blue Kangaroo went for a swim. On
the next lap Alice the Camel broke her mast allowing John & Katy
Meadowcroft in Lightning Storm through to second.
John & Oli Meadowcroft in Lightning Storm showed the way off the
start line in Race 2 and led for a good distance. Alice the Camel reeled
them in to take the lead with Blue Kangaroo close on their tail. The two
jostled for the next lap with Alice the Camel taking the gun.
A quick stop for Sunday lunch pasties on the beach allowed time for
the
wind to drop and become a little more flukey for race 3.
Alice the Camel and Christian Day & Sophie Richards sailing Silver
Lining were hot off the blocks and fighting neck and neck against the
tide towards Snapes point. Alice the Camel put her nose clear to turn
the corner first. The Very Hungry Caterpillar took the inside line and
dived out of the tide early in the bag to sail through the lee of Alice
the Camel and into the lead. The conditions were challenging for the
whole fleet with many place changes occurring as bands of wind pushed
the fleet together and as groups of boats went up either side of the
estuary. The Very Hungry Caterpillar's lead looked in danger on the
final rounding at Black Rock, as she was becalmed in the middle of the
tide with Alice the Camel steaming up in new wind and out of the tide.
The wind returned just in time for the Very Hungry Caterpillar to round
ahead and take the gun.
In the final race Alice the Camel and Blue Kangaroo
were hot off the blocks with The Very Hungry Caterpillar chasing. Alice
the Camel sailed into a good lead which they held all the way through
the bag, back out to Blackrock and for another loop but the wind proved
unkind on the final lap as Alice the Camel was becalmed in Ditch End and
caught a large lump of seaweed. Blue Kangaroo sailed up behind whilst
the Very Hungry Caterpillar crossed the tide early to attack on the
other side. Both boats overtook Alice the Camel with the Very Hungry
Caterpillar snatching the lead which they then held to the finish to
claim the final race and the event.
Overall results
| 1st |
Very Hungry Caterpillar |
3530 |
Graham Camm |
Zoe Ballantyne |
| 2nd |
Alice the Camel |
3526 |
Tom Stewart |
Jo Gifford |
| 3rd |
Lightning Storm |
3523 |
John Meadowcroft |
Katy Meadowcroft |
| 4th |
Blue Kangaroo |
3540 |
Jon Ibbotson |
Charlotte Stewart |
| 5th |
Dead Cat Bounce |
3519 |
William Warren |
Sophie Mackley |
| 6th |
Zippy |
3431 |
Tom Ballantyne |
Nicky Bass |
| 7th |
Silver Lining |
3513 |
Christian Day |
Sophie Richards |
Full results
http://www.salcombeyc.org.uk/content/racing-results/%5Enational-twelve%5E_Open_Meeting_5th-7th_May_2012/
