What happened in the GUL Series at Brightlingsea?

The 12 class National circuit moved on to Brightlingsea for a two day meeting on the 6th and 7th of June.

The first day's racing was held in a blustery 15-20kts. Andrea Downham made a return to the front of Tom Stewart's 12 and the pair shot off to win both races with a degree of comfort. Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne were the best of the rest with a second and a third, they were narrowly beaten by John and Ollie Meadowcroft in race two.

Sunday dawned sunny and with less wind but thankfully a few more knots than the forecast. In the first race of the day Tom & Andrea were joined at the front by team Camm and also team Gifford. In a close battle the Giffords scored the win with the Camms and Tom & Andrea hot on their heels.

The start of the second race saw three boats return after breaking the line early. The Camms made no mistake and ran away with the victory followed by the Giffords and the Meadowcrofts. This set up a last race show down between the Camms and Tom & Andrea.

In the final race the unpredictable conditions continued and changes in fortune were common. On the second beat local stars David Conlon and Sarah Bines sailing a 25 year old Design 8 came from nowhere to push for second place, they had used the tide and a big swing to the right. As the wind died the fleet closed on the leaders, Graham and oe Camm, but they were able to hold on and recorded their third Gul series win of the year.

You can find the full results and race report here.

One Week until 12 FEST!

Join us next weekend (20-21st June) at Northampton Sailing Club.
 
Never has a weekend of sailing a 12 had more on offer for everyone. We have world class Olympic coach, Steve Irish, with us all day on Saturday starting-off on the shore at 10.30am. There will be top tips both off the water in terms of tuning and on the water, with full debriefs and tailored training for the various needs of the fleet.

If you haven’t done so yet please sign up here for pre-entry discount and to let us know what you want to focus on.
 
We are also holding a crews race on Saturday and a junior race on Sunday as well as 12 handicap and pursuit racing. Sunday will start of with the pursuit race at 10.15am.
 
There will be a BBQ and beer on the Saturday night with paddle boarding and a treasure hunt for kids (both big and small!). Camp on site for free and as ever amazing food provided by NSC.

Vintage Champs

Vintage 12s out in style last year

It’s just two weeks until we see glimmering varnish, perfect planks and wonderful wooden masts at the annual Vintage Championships.

Taking place on 27th and 28th of June, the championships will be at Burton Sailing Club. Boats are available to borrow and prizes are available for good lookers (boats only) and good sailing (boats and crew!).
 
For more information here’s the poster.
 

Looking Forward to Royal Harwich

N12s racing at Royal Harwich

As the summer sailing season starts to kick in we are looking forward to GUL event number 4 hosted by Royal Harwich Sailing Club on 4th and 5th July.
 
As well as offering superb estuary sailing and well run racing across the two days, Harwich, as ever boasts a friendly welcome, great food and free onsite camping.
 
Also within the event there is an interesting new prize category for any helmsman whose age plus the number of years since they 1st sailed in a National 12 is equal to or greater than 100. I sadly come in at a mere 24 years, but there are plenty of age related confessions on the discussion forum for those planning to come!
 
Look out for the NOR for the event (whatever the age of your boat and the sailors in it) on the website!

Sailing Fun in the Sun this Summer

N12s enjoying the first race of Northwest Norfolk Week at Hunstanton SC.

Long summer holiday with the kids ahead? Looking to get a bit more out of the 12 this summer? Need a relaxing time on the water?
 
As ever, Salcombe Yacht Club regatta and North West Norfolk Week offer great weeks of 12 sailing.
 
At Salcombe racing takes place from Sunday 9^th to Friday 14^th August. There is an afternoon fleet start for the 12s and the option of keeping your boat on the beach for a week. There will I’m sure be beach games, pasties and a few beers in the Yacht Club to enjoy as well. The entry form can be found on the home page of the Yacht Club’s website.
 
Over 300 miles north east of Salcombe, the 66th North West Norfolk week will be taking place from 1^st-8^th August with memorial races held on Sunday 9^th August. Located in the beautiful country of Norfolk, the week sees the fleet visit 7 different sailing clubs, with varied and competitive racing on the water to everything from a bacon bap at Wells to waiter service at Brancaster Staithe and real ales at the Ouse ASC. NOR and an entry form are on the regatta’s webpage.
 

Dates for your diary

• 12 FEST - N12 Coaching & Summer Event at Northampton SC 20th-21st June
• Vintage Championships at Burton SC 27-28th June
• Royal Harwich YC 4-5th July - GUL Series #4
• Herne Bay SC 22nd-25th August - Burton Week 2015 including Burton Cup and National Championships and GUL Series #5
• Solway YC 12-13th September - Scottish Championships and GUL Series #6
• Ripon SC 3rd October - GUL Series #7
• Northampton SC 7-8th November - GUL Series Finale and Inland Championships

A full list of fixtures for 2015 can be found on the N12 website.

Welcome to New Members

Finally, we'd like to give a warm welcome to all the recent new members of the NTOA. We hope you enjoy your 12 sailing as much as we do.

Jevan Fletcher of Stapleford, Nottingham with N2835
Jonathan Eagle of Sutton, Witney, Oxfordshire with N3268
Chris Winzar of Salcombe, Devon with N3524 (a welcome return)

I hope you enjoyed The Latest Chapter and hope to see you at 12 FEST. 

Chris Day
N3526