National 12 Class celebrates 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

90 years of Development, Innovation and Delight

The National 12, the Class that started mass dinghy racing and sailing from 1936 with the launch of Uffa Fox's Uffa-King design N1 Gipsy inspired a great many to get into dinghy sailing. Always at the forefront of dinghy development from the days of traditional nailed and ribbed clinker-built boats with cotton sails to the innovative carbon fibre racing dinghies of the twenty first century, the Class has always stuck to its roots of creating exciting but affordable boats within reach of almost all sailing dinghy owners. The Royal Harwich YC weekend was organised to celebrate it all.

Following her star appearance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show back in February, N1 was again back in the limelight, parked on the RHYC lawn, as dozens of National 12s started arriving on Friday 17th July. By mid-morning on Saturday more had arrived along with National 12 sailors young and not-so-young, most intent on sailing but others there just to enjoy celebrating this great Class.

Congested start line - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Brian Herring

In contrast to the sun and heat of previous weeks, Saturday dawned cloudy and while still warm a brisk Easterly gave Principal Race Officer Gordon Sutton a tricky job of setting a course with a decent beat. Nevertheless, most of the assembled boats of all ages sailed out to the start of a weekend of challenging racing, a combined round of the "Blood Red" clothing sponsored national series and a round of the "Witchcraft Bailer" vintage series. It didn't take long before 2025 Sir William Burton Cup winner, Ollie Meadowcroft and his crew Cally Terkelsen in a borrowed "Final Chapter" design boat established themselves as the crew to beat. With wins in the first two races, they made it seem easy, but others were finding it hard. In very close racing right down the fleet, there were many private duels being contested. However, multiple capsizes and duckings kept the safety crews busy but led to a string of retirements, all saving their energies for evening celebrations and more sailing the following day. Ollie and Cally didn't have it all their own way as by race three and last of day one, it was a popular win for Steve and Joanne Sallis.

Steve and Joanne Sallis, winners of Race 3 - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

Off the water, the long-planned highlight of the weekend, organised by the very creative Lesley Iles, was the 90th Anniversary Dinner. Scheduled to start with an early evening drinks-reception on the lawn beside N1 Gipsy, the unseasonably cool gusty conditions forced it indoors but with the background of classical guitar and flute, played by Zoe Meadowcroft and Beatrice Overend, celebrations began with multiple reunions of longstanding friendships and great stories of National 12 sailing over the decades. An optional dress code had some in "black tie" with others in black 90th anniversary tee-shirts. A competition to find the oldest National 12 tee shirt made it a competitive event, Lesley inspecting those claiming to be wearing theirs. With an early ladies N12 swimsuit being deemed ineligible as not being worn, the result was three 1985 versions getting prizes of, what else, a new tee-shirt each!

Vintage National 12s still going strong - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

Once the ninety guests were called to take their seats, Class Chair Ian Purkis welcomed everyone including his special guests Eric and Ursula Harvey; Eric, the former Boatyard Foreman of Jack Chippendale had been responsible for building more than three hundred National 12s in the 1950s and 60s. On display was a magnificent model of a Chippendale-built Proctor Mk4A, one of a series of models of different classes built by Eric representing the classes built by Chippendales.

A truly delicious three course dinner was then served by RHYC front of house manager Ally and her team, prepared by head chef Natasha. The evening schedule soon slipped but only for the very best of reasons. Between courses, Ian "raised his glass" to various individuals and groups present in recognition of their contribution to the class, all hugely valued, some competitive, others humorous.

Cutting the cake, Father of the Class Brian Herring and Zoe Meadowcroft - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

A stunning birthday cake, featuring an accurate scale model of a National 12 in chocolate, specially made by Lesley Iles was ceremonially cut by the "father of the class" Brian Herring, and Zoe Meadowcroft, Brian noting he is only "late middle age" despite being older than the Class, while it was Zoe's actual 21st birthday. Happy birthday was sung more than enthusiastically by all present with much merriment before speeches were due. Again, Lesley's organisational skills were to the fore; not speeches in the traditional form but nine one-minute (or thereabouts) history of the class summaries, one approximating to each decade and with a bit of ad-libbing in between.

An emotional past champion, Chris Atkins gave particular thanks and recognition of the Association's Hon Secretary Janet Bloor who has been in office for over forty years while her husband Kevan has served as Hon Certification Officer over a similar time. Chris went on to record that the third stalwart of the Class, Michael Brookman, following his father's footsteps as Hon Treasurer, has now served the Class for more than fifty years with only our late Queen serving the nation longer! The short speeches were concluded by young Trystan Leonard, owner of the newest National 12 that has yet to hit the water, bringing the story up to date. Winding up the evening, Ian raised his glass once again, toasting the Class as it starts its 100th decade and the next 90 years.

Organiser of the 90th Anniversary Dinner, Lesley Iles, presented with a bouquet by Ian Purkis - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

Sunday started on the water with the very special 90th Anniversary pursuit race, held only once every five years on the major anniversaries. Boats representing almost all nine decades of the Class were entered and assigned their various start times based on the boat's and crews' ages with 1938 built N326 Rose Marie, a modified Uffa-King design sailed by Nigel Waller and Oscar Patten, the scratch boat. With only 1940s built boats absent, the 1950s were represented by N1607 Dilly Dally, the Proctor Mk4A design boat of Alan Mason and Peter Goodwin. The 1960s had N2153 Reflection entered by Angus Beyts and Joe Barnes.

The delights of sailing a 88 year old boat; Nigel Waller and Oscar Patten going well - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

The 1970s had N2620 Fair Lady a "China Doll" design sailed by Dave Peacock and Lesley Iles along while the 1980s onwards had multiple entries but sadly the gusty conditions meant several of the vintage boats didn't go afloat. Nevertheless, N326 did and was a long way ahead of the chasing fleet. The closest challenger, N3395 Isobel, sailed by Antony and Jo Gifford, a 1990s early single bottom Final Chapter emerged as the closest challenger, gradually closing on N326. As the time limit approached in the final two minutes, Antony and Jo got past to win, and were the only boat to do so, all the more remarkable as they'd only bought the boat two weeks previously and this weekend had been their first sail in her.

The hazard of sailing an 88 year old boat! - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

After a break for lunch, and with the wind dropping, it was three more races again part of both the modern and vintage series. Again, Ollie and Cally repeated the pattern of the previous day winning the first two races but again could only manage 5th in the final race, the win going to Jon Ibbotson and Rhona Enkel. Throughout the weekend Graham and Felix Camm were second in all but the final two races but never finished lower than third. Consistency usually pays off giving them second overall.

All Zoe crew: U21 winner, Zoe Meadowcroft on the helm with crew Zoe Ballantyne - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

With racing over and now the sun shining, the prize-giving was held on the lawn, still with N1 in the background. Starting with the various categories, the prize for the best helm in the 21 and under category was awarded to birthday girl, Zoe Meadowcroft! Next up it was the prize for the best placed of the older Admirals Cup boats, won by Antony and Jo Gifford. The vintage prize went to to David Peacock and crew Lesley Iles, their "China Doll" design also qualifying and finishing third in the Admirals Cup category. Then on to the non-foiling category, the prize going to Philip David and Blue Camm. Before the main overall winners there was a very special Royal Harwich YC Legends award, hugely justified as a very longstanding RHYC National 12 member, Nigel Playford, who only got to the event after some trailer drama and N12 innovation to get back on the road!

Nigel Playford wins RHYC Legends award - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

The Grand Pursuit Race prize and Mary Deare trophy was duly presented to Antony and Jo Gifford to much applause before the main prizes and trophy was presented to Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelsen. In his acceptance speech, Ollie thanked all who'd contributed to such a great event which will remain long in the memory of everyone present; to all the Race Committee, the safety and support boat crews, the RHYC shore team, the RHYC galley staff and the brilliant organiser of the dinner, Lesley Iles.

Winners of the Grand Pursuit Race with the Mary Deare trophy, Antony and Jo Gifford - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

Ollie went on to thank his sister, Zoe for the loan of her boat, a 2001 built Final Chapter. He spoke of how his and Cally's success demonstrated that an older boat, updated with T-foil rudder and a modern rig can make an older National 12 highly competitive without spending a fortune. With a good many "Feeling Foolish" and "Final Chapter" design boats potentially available, there's great opportunity to build on recent growth and enthusiasm in the Class, particularly in the younger generation.

Rounding off the whole event, Class Chair Ian noted that local boatbuilder Nigel Waller, as well as owning and restoring N326, had actually built the winning boats in both the main event and the Grand Pursuit Race so if there'd been a constructor's award, Nigel would have been runaway winner! Ian again thanked all concerned, looked forward to the Burton Week at Shoreham SC Championships over the August Bank Holiday and closed the event wishing everyone a safe journey home.

See also: Pavel Kricka photo album (896 photos)

Overall winners, Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelsen - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

Grand Pursuit Race:

1st Antony & Jo Gifford (N3395)
2nd Nigel Waller and Oscar Patten (N326)
3rd Tom Watson and Lorna Garrill (N3497)
4th David Harris and Daniel Sadler (N3290)
5th George Finch and Toby Hunt (N3551)

Overall Blood Red series round:

1st Ollie Meadowcroft and Cally Terkelsen (N3473)
2nd Graham and Felix Camm (N3530)
3rd Jon Ibbotson and Rhona Enkel (N3540)
4th Steve and Joanne Sallis (N3531)
5th Tom Stewart and Emily Krailing (N3544)

Who would want a boring white hull? - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka

Witchcraft Bailer Vintage Series round:

1st David Peacock and Lesley Iles (N2620)
2nd Nigel Waller and Oscar Patten (N326)
3rd Alan Mason and Peter Goodwin (N1607)
4th Derek Davies and Tricia Wood (N2632)
5th Tim Gatti and Joe Barnes (N3541 Uffa King)

Admirals Cup Series round:

1st Antony and Jo Gifford (N3395)
2nd David Harris and Daniel Sadler (N3290)
3rd David Peacock and Lesley Iles (N2620)
4th Derek Davies and Tricia Wood (N2632)
5th Tim Gatti and Joe Barnes (N3541 Uffa King)

Philip David and Blue Camm, winners of the non-foiling fleet - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Margaret Purkis

Overall Results:

Royal Harwich Legend, Nigel Playford enjoying a tough sail - N12 90th Anniversary at Royal Harwich YC - photo © Pavel Kricka