12s at Burghfield
back in March
The 2014
Gul
Series
took in venues from
as far South and
West as Salcombe and
as far North as
Annandale in
Dumfries and
Galloway. Eight
events were held
with four to count
towards the series.
Those
that competed were
well rewarded with
Gul's very generous
sponsorship,
vouchers were
awarded at each
event.
The
Family division is
possibly the most
important in the
class. The National
12 is a superb boat
to sail with
youngsters and
plenty of parent
child teams
competed. John and
Ollie Meadowcroft
N3543 were both
consistent and
well-travelled, they
were only beaten in
the family division
twice in six
outings. The sibling
pair of Nick and
Tanya Copsey N3528
finished second
three points adrift.
Nine of the crews
who competed in the
family cup were
still pre-teen, the
future is bright!
The
Admirals cup was a
showdown between
Burghfield rivals
and mates. Alan
Beeton and Helen
Barry N3388 were
pipped to the post
by Neal and Freya
Lilywhite, in the
beautifully restored
N3271, who held the
advantage in the
light winds at the
final event at
Northampton. Both
boats showed
dedication to the
task competing at
Salcombe and
Shoreham along the
way, as well as
waters closer to
home.
The
Vintage boats, as
usual put in a good
performance with
nine competing. The
rock solid Brian
Kitching N1657 took
victory from the
Angus Beyts N1833
who took the time to
travel from Scotland
to impress us all
with his kilt
wearing at the
Northampton prize
giving. In one of
the races at
Northampton Angus
crewed by Gerald
Copsey beat one of
the ultra-modern
DCB's defying an age
gap of more than
half a century!
This
year, recognising
the advantage of
winged rudders, the
non-foiling boats
were rewarded with
their own sub
series. Nigel and
Chris White swapped
their Numinous
design for a Final
Chapter N3445 and
enjoyed success,
they were pushed
hard through the
series by Jeremy
Carey and George
Rowland N3444.
Jeremy and George
had the chance to
seize victory at the
final event, but in
light winds Antony
and James Gifford
N3348 stole their
hopes with a fine
performance.
In the
overall series the
DCBs dominated yet
again. Tom Stewart
and Andrea Downham
N3544, shot off to a
good lead taking
advantage of Zoe
Ballantine not being
available to crew
Graham Camm at
Burghfield which is
usually a banker for
the Camm's. However
as the season panned
out it looked like,
as last year, the
Camm team would
succeed with a late
tilt at the title.
Graham and Zoe won
back to back events
at King George and
Ripon to draw level
with Tom and Andrea
for the final event.
However on this
occasion things went
the other way. With
Andrea expected to
be out of action
Tom's fist reserve
Robert Stewart was
called into action
and with the weight
advantage in their
favour Tom and
Robert Stewart
drifted to victory
at the final event
at their home club.
