National 12 Open at Trent Valley Sailing Club

National 12s at Trent Valley © Kevan Bloor

National 12s at Trent Valley © Kevan Bloor

Although the numbers attending were slightly down on last year, the entry of 13 was still a goodly turnout. The weather proved to be a “curate’s egg” – glorious sunshine with a 5 – 7 mph breeze but from the worst possible direction, being NNE, guaranteed to cause havoc in the Doldrums upstream of the Clubhouse.

Race 1 saw a downstream start with a reach to the first mark. First round were Graham & Zoe in their new DCB followed by Tom White & Maria in a 4 plank China Doll and local boy Ally Britton in his Mum’s Crusader. Gerald Copsey gave the fleet a 5 minute start in N3280 but caught them up as they came to a halt in the Doldrums. The boats disappeared from view upriver to sail a loop course at the top of the river reappearing 40 minutes later with Graham leading Tom with Chris Day & Sophie in 3rd.

Race 2 after lunch saw the same loop course being posted but three boats were over the line at the start (John Sears for the second time). Graham lead the way uphill again followed closely by Ally, Tom and Dave Peacock & Tricia. Powered by local knowledge, James Clark & Christine Marshall crept through on the far bank but as the fleet broke out of the trees it was Graham followed by Chris, James, John, and Dave disappearing from view. Graham stretched out a long lead, followed by Chris and then Tom who had clawed his way back up the fleet to third, finishing just ahead of Dave, John and Philip David & Anthony Copsey. There was also a very close battle between James and Sue Jones & Mary Brookman to the finish with James just pipping Sue to the line.

Race 3 saw the breeze increase – there was a spectacular start with everyone heading flat out, and in very close company, in the right direction – at least half the fleet were inches from line as the gun sounded. Graham, now sporting his winged rudder, roared away from the fleet; Chris (Foolish) and Dave (Paradigm 2) opened a decent gap over the rest of the fleet, but despite the magnificence planing power of the three DBs the whole fleet caught them in the Doldrums and Chris got past Graham. Normal service was resumed shortly afterwards; Graham and Chris followed by Tom, John and Dave broke free to do battle out of sight of the Clubhouse. The final order was Graham, Chris, Tom and Dave.

Overall Results:

1st Graham & Zoe, N3530
2nd Christian & Sophie, N3513
3rd (and 1st AC) Tom & Maria, N2765

Special mentions

The boat-less Chris Troth & Laura sportingly travelled from Olton Mere to race Starfish N2020 and TVSC Merlin sailor James Clark (crewed by Christie Marshall) also borrowed N3157 from the Turner Collection.

Nick Copsey who dunked his younger sister in the drink in race one; father Gerald heroically sacrificed his day’s helming to deputise at the front end of N3411 following the (perfectly understandable) mutiny of said sister!

The usually very fast Ally Briton came 9th; possibly his concentration was compromised by having the lovely Charis Richardson crewing for him.

Thanks to Race Officer Ken Goddard (who cunningly made every mark a gybe mark) aided and abetted by Paul Turner, Roger Briton and numerous other members of TVSC (to whom we are very grateful!)

Entertainment was provided for the spectators by the Commodore John Richardson who whizzed up and down in front of the Club house in his Thames Rater with a 30ft mast.

The next MAAT event is Sunday 4th July at Welland (the day after the Vintage Handicap meeting at Frampton on Severn) – full results to date will be posted soon.

And finally...

2011 is the 125th Celebration for Trent Valley Sailing Club – you can bet that there will be lots of special events to watch out for!