National 12 Open at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

The winners on the water being photo bombed by a House Martin during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open © Judith Marshall

Philip David and Em Hampshire win the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open © Tim Hampshire

Tim Hampshire (with Iolie Gionnitrapani not pictured) finish 2nd in the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open © Tim Hampshire

Day 2 of our National 12 River and Dales Weekend was held at Yorkshire Dales SC at Grimwith Reservoir. After the battering the fleet had received on the river at Yorkshire Ouse SC the day before, we were looking forward to something a little more sailable.

On arrival the wind looked a little more than the light wind forecast but certainly more pleasant than the day before. The format of the day was 4 races, 3 to count. We were third start in the starting sequence, starting after the 2 Club racing fleets.

Once on the water we could see the wind wasn't as consistent as it first seemed. Philip David and Em Hampshire led the pack up the first beat but the wind was allowing options and holes to avoid. At the windward mark they led followed by Tim Hampshire and Iolie Gionnitrapani but they were never able to close the gap as the wind backed and got lighter. Behind them Neil McInnes and Martin Parrish were having a close race with Philip and Matthew Wherry with Neil and Martin holding them off for third place.

After a delay while the wind died and backed further round (it wasn't a day to be an OOD !) the course was reset and Race 2 was started.

Luckily the breeze lifted for the start. The new course had a longer beat and as before Philip & Em led followed by Tim & Iolie. On the second lap Neil & Martin split from the others and went up the other side of the beat from the leading two and got a good lift into the windward mark and rounded in second place.

Neil & Martin held off Tim & Iolie until just before the finish when mixed up with a bunch with the Aero's of the Club fleet Tim & Iolie managed to round up just inside Neil & Martin to claim back 2nd place.

After a very welcome lunch the fleet regathered and went out for the afternoon races.

The wind had veered back to a similar direction to the start of the day for the third race so a new course was set. The wind veered further during the starting sequence which gave a very one sided beat for the first leg and a very bias start line but it did mean the third leg, a long reach up the middle of the reservoir was more of a beat to compensate.

Due to the bias of the line Neil & Martin & Philip & Em were early and had to restart Tim & Iolie lead at first mark & second mark but P&E got back ahead on the reach / beat and held it to the finish. Neil & Martin and Philip & Matthew were having a close race behind them. At the penultimate mark Neil & Martin had a poor gybe which allowed Philip & Matthew to close right up behind them and try to push to gain water at the last mark before the short leg to the finish. In the final approach to the mark Philip & Matthew had a major wobble and Neil & Martin rounded the mark first and held third place.

Wind veered further for the last race and increased prompting another change of course. Tim had promised his crew that they would be finished and off the water by 3.00pm so they didn't take part in the last race.

Race 4 was tight throughout with all 3 boats close together in a tactical battle, Philip & Em and Neil & Martin rounded the first two marks together with Philip & Matthew close behind. All three designs were closely matched in those conditions (just sitting out on the beat). On the beats the Feeling Foolish and the Baggy Trousers went for pointing whereas the Final Chapter went for speed over pointing. The newer boats were faster off the wind though.

Philip & Em managed to get ahead and stay ahead on the second lap whereas the vitual elastic band that seemed to be connected between Neil & Martin and Philip & Matthew stretched out on the beat but closed up off the wind. At the finish Philip & Em were first, with Neil & Martin not far behind closely followed by Philip & Matthew.

This left a simple final points situation for the OOD team to work out with Philip and Em winning the meeting with Tim and Iolie second.

In his winner's speech Philip thanked Yorkshire Dales SC for hosting the event, the Race Officer Peter and his team, the safety boat crews, the Galley team and everyone else who were involved in looking after us during the day.

Whilst we were low in numbers the fleet was highly competitive, with 4 good races and a great day's sailing was had by all at a wonderful venue !

The next Northern / Scottish National 12 events are the Open Meetings at Solway and Ripon Sailing Clubs in September and October, hope to see you there.

Overall Results: