Vintage Champs

 

National 12 Vintage Championships at the Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club Regatta Weekend. Jul 13th & 14th

 

After its weather enforced 2023 move North of the Border to Scotland and the Solway Yacht Club, the vintage N12 2024 Championships returned South to Notts County SC, joining their main Commodore’s Cup Regatta Weekend. With a forecast of pleasant winds, conditions were promising for sailing these now aging but beautiful boats. Day one of the event featured the Championship races with the Derwent Handicap races being run on day two.

Starting after the NCSC fast and slow handicap fleets, the vintage N12s followed the great course set by Race Officer and Club Commodore, Ken Twemlow, around the big Hoveringham lake.  John and Catherine Sears led off in their Proctor Mk9 N1903 “Slick Chick”, followed by Alan Mason and his crew Peter Goodwin in a Proctor Mk4A, N1607 “Dilly Dally”. Next up were Tim Gatti with young Ida Iglehart in the amazing Uffa King, built comparatively recently by Tim, N3541 “Gruffalo”, and Ian Purkis with his crew Toby Iglehart in the restored Chippendale built N1483, another Mk4A, “My Little Margie”. Towards the end of lap one Tim and Ida had a big moment and capsized “Gruffalo” into retirement while halfway through lap two Alan and Peter got the course wrong leaving Ian and Toby to finish a distant second to John and Catherine.

Race two and again John and Catherine led away, stretching their lead while Alan and Peter followed second. At the windward mark Ian and Toby were third but Tim and Ida weren’t far behind. While first and second weren’t in doubt, the “Gruffalo” was gradually closing on “Margie”, but Ian and Toby just held on, crossing the finish to take third only a couple of seconds before Tim and Ida. 

The boats (and particularly the helms!) were then given a rest while Ian’s crew Toby was kindly lent a NCSC club Topper to sail in the Novice and Junior Race. No novice, but at 14 definitely a junior, Solway YC’s Cadet Champion Toby was close behind a Flying Fifteen, an RS 200 and others on the water, comfortably winning the junior fleet and, as he seemed to be enjoying himself so much, was offered another lap for fun which he gladly accepted, lapping several more.

The NCSC evening social was much enjoyed by all, although the Olympic themed fancy dress puzzled some over Neil Chadborn, the Vice Commodore’s outfit. Once explained, the red and orange hair and kitchen foil neckwear were quite obviously the Olympic flame! The local Attenborough SC’s house-band, featuring National 12’s own Paul Turner as star guest musician, kept the fun going late into the evening.

Sunday morning and with lighter winds forecast, the fleet was joined by Jonathan Mosley and his crew Steve in the totally original Squid design, N1996 “Shirali”, very recently restored and beautifully varnished. Race one and the familiar pattern continued with John and Catherine sailing off ahead while the rest followed.  With the wind dropping, the fast handicap fleet were having a frustrating time completing their additional lap while others were already enjoying lunch. After a delay, the RO announced a late start to the second race but with a few boats already on the water going nowhere, the race was cancelled. The Derwent trophy, nowadays determined over all four races, with both races from the previous day to count, it was down to Kevan Bloor to determine how to apply the handicaps.

Prizegiving for the N12s started with Tim and Ida awarded the Ribbed boats Trophy, Tim being left to explain why they are called “Ribbies”; they make your ribs hurt when you climb back aboard after a capsize! Ian and Toby took second in the champs and were delighted to retain their Derwent Handicap trophy having won it at the 2023 event at Solway YC, but the overall Championships were very deservedly won by John and Catherine.

With grateful thanks to Notts County SC for hosting the event and special mention of longstanding N12 friends Brian Herring, Paul Turner as well as Kevan and Janet Bloor all there at some point over the weekend; it was great to catch up with them all. We look forward to more vintage sailing later in the season.

Results

Overall results for the Gill Half Model Trophy

1st John and Catherine Sears N1903
2nd and Derwent Handicap winners, Ian Purkis and Toby Iglehart N1483
3rd Alan Mason and Peter Goodwin N1607
4th Tim Gatti and Ida Iglehart N3541
5th Jonathan Mosley and crew Steve N1996

J & T Hancock trophy (Derwent personal handicap)

1st           N1483 My Little Margie                Ian Purkis & Toby Iglehart

Ribbed boat trophy

1st           N3541 Gruffalo                                Tim Gatti & Ida Iglehart