Gill National 12 Series at Salcombe Yacht Club

Gill National 12 Series at Salcombe © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

Gill National 12 Series at Salcombe © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

Gill National 12 Series at Salcombe © John Murrell / www.fotoboat.com

20 Twelves descended on Salcombe for the third event in the 2012 Gill Series. There was plenty of wind forecast for the bank holiday weekend which was fortunate as the event was held on a strong spring tide. The conditions took their toll in race 1 with a couple of boats running aground and breaking foils and two boats breaking masts.

The first beat was quick with the strong spring tide behind the fleet followed by a long run against the tide all the way from the bag, past Blackrock and out to sea. Tom Stewart & Jo Gifford sailing Alice the Camel took an early lead chased by Jon Ibbotson & Charlotte Stewart in Blue Kangaroo. Places changed at Blackrock as Graham Camm & Zoe Ballantyne in the Very Hungry Caterpillar sailed into the lead and the helm of Blue Kangaroo went for a swim. On the next lap Alice the Camel broke her mast allowing John & Katy Meadowcroft in Lightning Storm through to second.

John & Oli Meadowcroft in Lightning Storm showed the way off the start line in Race 2 and led for a good distance. Alice the Camel reeled them in to take the lead with Blue Kangaroo close on their tail. The two jostled for the next lap with Alice the Camel taking the gun.

A quick stop for Sunday lunch pasties on the beach allowed time for the wind to drop and become a little more flukey for race 3. Alice the Camel and Christian Day & Sophie Richards sailing Silver Lining were hot off the blocks and fighting neck and neck against the tide towards Snapes point. Alice the Camel put her nose clear to turn the corner first. The Very Hungry Caterpillar took the inside line and dived out of the tide early in the bag to sail through the lee of Alice the Camel and into the lead. The conditions were challenging for the whole fleet with many place changes occurring as bands of wind pushed the fleet together and as groups of boats went up either side of the estuary. The Very Hungry Caterpillar's lead looked in danger on the final rounding at Black Rock, as she was becalmed in the middle of the tide with Alice the Camel steaming up in new wind and out of the tide. The wind returned just in time for the Very Hungry Caterpillar to round ahead and take the gun.

In the final race Alice the Camel and Blue Kangaroo were hot off the blocks with The Very Hungry Caterpillar chasing. Alice the Camel sailed into a good lead which they held all the way through the bag, back out to Blackrock and for another loop but the wind proved unkind on the final lap as Alice the Camel was becalmed in Ditch End and caught a large lump of seaweed. Blue Kangaroo sailed up behind whilst the Very Hungry Caterpillar crossed the tide early to attack on the other side. Both boats overtook Alice the Camel with the Very Hungry Caterpillar snatching the lead which they then held to the finish to claim the final race and the event.

Overall Results: