Allen CraftInsure Burton Week and National Series at Brightlingsea

23-26 August 2025

by Isobel Stewart

Last Saturday, the National 12 class descended on Brightlingsea Sailing Club for the most exciting championships of the summer so far. We had a fantastic week with various race courses, wind conditions and wave patterns.

Our first day consisted of two championship races in light, shifty breeze and a new challenge to think about - the shadows from the much larger sails of the national 18 class whom we were sharing the venue with.

Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelson took an early lead with a promising 1st and 2nd, with Graham and Blue not far behind having won the second race.

That evening we had our first social of the week, our shared rum party with the National 18s! After rounds of free rum punch and the lively steel drums band, we all headed to bed in anticipation of the endurance race we would facing tomorrow.

The campers were treated to an early morning wake up call from masses of geese in time to prepare for the ever anticipated Burton Cup race. This two hour battle is always intense, and following their results the previous day, it was between Graham and Blue and Ollie and Cally for the top spot. Graham and Blue took an early lead and sailed impressively, only for Ollie and Cally to come back fighting in the building breeze to take the trophy.

The racing was followed by a class formal dinner in the clubhouse with the all important Burton Cup prize-giving.

The podium consisted of Ollie and Cally in 1st, Graham and Blue 2nd and completed by Tom and Isobel Stewart in 3rd place. Subsidiary prizes were awarded to Ian and Alex Gore as first married couple and first under 21 boat was Rory Gifford crewed by Ben Whaley.

Bank Holiday Monday brought sunshine and more breeze. We had two more points races to add to the mix. Keeping consistent, Graham and Blue won the first, but the second had a new leader; Rory and Ben who were competing in their first Burton Week. They showed us all how to plane upwind, only managing to get overtaken by knocking off their rudder setting up the final beat, with Ollie and Cally taking the bullet.

The pair were ahead coming into the final day, which was unexpectedly light airs. After multiple attempts to start, the fleet finally got away under the black flag.

Whilst there was visible breeze on the right, it was past the lay line to the windward and the left hand side of the beat came out flying, with Graham and Blue at the front. The square courses gave us three tense downwind legs with many position changes, however the wind was slowly building throughout the race.

The final race of the day determined the winners of the national 12 championships, it was another light race, but this time led by Rory and Ben who were flying along in their paradox design (traditionally not a favoured shape in this wind). However after their rookie error of hitting the 2nd mark despite their sizeable lead, after a penalty turn, the race got closer with both Graham and Blue and Antony and Jo Gifford pushing for the lead.

Graham and Blue found their accelerator and sped to the front in the final leg of the course, winning the last race of the week. Rory and Ben came 2nd, and Antony and Jo secured 3rd.

After an impressive day, Graham and Blue were the esteemed winners of Burton Week 2025.

Ollie and Cally were 2nd overall and Tom and Isobel 3rd.

Subsidiary trophies included:

• Shotgun - Ed Willet and Sarah Robinson
• Admiral's Cup - David Harris and Trystan Cook
• Arrows - Rory Gifford and Ben Whaley
• Gill Super Crew - Ben Whaley
• Joe Yorke - Roland and Katie Whitehead
• Canter - George Finch and Toby Hunt
• Corrigan - Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelsen
• Handicap - David Harris and Trystan Cook
• Grand Masters - Ian and Alex Gore
• Non-Foiling - David Harris and Trystan Cook

The Burton Brick - Rory Gifford and Ben Whaley, for a consistent effort with a number of offences including lost car keys, attaching jib cleats backwards, and inability to gybe.

The Decanter, awarded as a recognition of going above and beyond in support for the National 12, was given to Ed Willet for his efforts for the class in building a fleet at Whitefriars Sailing Club and his work on the N12 publishing.

After a fantastic week, all that's left is to thank Brightlingsea Sailing Club for putting on such a great event and our sponsors; Allen , Craftinsure, Blood Red and Dinghy Shack.