National 12 Gul Series finale at Northampton

by Tom Stewart on 16 Nov 2013 The Final round of the National 12 2013 Gul series took place on Saturday 9th November at Northampton sailing Club.

Race officer Chris Bowen set three challenging courses all of which produced close tactical races enjoyed by all.

John Meadowcroft crewed by son Oliver showed great pace throughout the day as did Pete Ballantine and Theo Harris (who remarkably were sailing on Inland water for the first time!) but ultimately it was the leading contenders for the overall Gul series, Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantine who won taking the first two races from Tom Stewart and Andrea Ralph. Graham and Zoe showed great speed and good tactical sense to come from behind twice. In the third race it was Tom and Andrea who pipped the Camms to the finish in a dying breeze.

Jeremy Hartley crewed by Luke were the first of the non winged rudder boats, they were consistently comfortably in the top 10.

The first Admirals cupper (Single Bottomed Boat) was sailed by the father and daughter team of Neal and Freya Lilywhite who held off the challenge from the talented midland team of Ian Smith and Jenny Chen.

Thanks must go to Gul for providing excellent prizes which were spread down the fleet.

1st Graham Camm, Zoe Balantine,
2nd Tom Stewart, Andrea Ralph
3rd Peter Ballantine, Theo Harris

1st Admirals Neal Lilywhite, Freya Lilywhite
2nd Admirals Ian Smith, Jenny Chen
3rd Admirals Gerald Copsey, Anthony Copsey