An enthusiastic group of ribbed National 12 sailors gathered at Yeadon Sailing Club from Yeadon and Yorkshire Ouse SC for the third and final event of the season. These events have been co-ordinated by class association chairman Tim Gatti (who also owns 4 of the 5 boats) and for various reasons competitors from the last two events were not able to compete so four of the five teams had not sailed these boats before. Tim briefed the contestants on the format which in brief was :- 5 short races, 3, 2, 1, Go and change boats after every race by moving up a boat number or if at N1183 back down to N2.The event began in a gentle breeze and all boats got away cleanly from a short start line Phil David sailing with Katie McInnes took an early lead in N711 Sinner but were hotly pursued by Tim Gatti and Tace Morgan sailing N493 Laughter, Neil McInnes and Rachel Dean sailing N341 Mat were chasing hard though and the pressure on Tim caused him to miss a mark leaving Philip first and Neil second.
In race 2 the OOD changed the course slightly but Philip was again quick to take the lead this time sailing N1183 Tessa, Neil was first to start but as the signal had not yet gone soon returned to start again! Tim Gatti now in N711 moved up the fleet but it was neck and neck with Brian Miatt and Jane Preston in N341 and John and Kathy Cheetham in N2 Goldcrest. These three finished within seconds of one another with Tim taking second place to Philip and Katie’s second win of the day.
Neil was again first off the line in race three but starting to wish he had a watch! Brian Miatt and Jane Preston made a great start in N493 Laughter and although racing was very close particularly with John and Kathy in N341 Mat but Brian managed to pull off his first win of the day, Neil recovered from his premature start in N711 Sinner and finish 3rd whilst Philip and Katie finished an uncharacteristic 4th in N2 Goldcrest.
After an excellent if rather rapid lunch the teams were back on the water for race 4 and the course was changed back to the original one to suit the 20 degree shift, possibly caused by the hotdog with onions lunch? The wind had also increased to a comfortable two sitting out breeze. However Philip and Katie returned to form pulling out a good lead this time in Mat although John and Kathy in Sinner pushed hard at times but finished second. The final race ended with the same result for first and second places and the water was cleared for the afternoon’s club racing.
Overall a great event, thanks to Yeadon Sailing Club for hosting the fleet, Sarah, Margaret and Kathy for the excellent refreshments, Howard for running the races with Mike Cox and Ellie Clark for assisting in the committee boat, Ken Goddard for coming all the way from Derby to support and most importantly Tim Gatti for providing 80% of the fleet and coordinating entries etc.
Howard Chadwick N12 Class Vintage Wing Representative (Photographer and Race Officer)
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