2012 National 12 Open Meeting Report
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Midland Area meeting #2
Those who didn't attend SHSC's first N12 missed a very pleasant
day's sailing with a steady breeze, interesting wind shifts,
excellent courses, efficient organisation, good food and a
picturesque pond to sail on! The surprise attendees were Mark &
Emma Simpson who had travelled all the way from the far north, plus
Steve Sallis had ventured from darkest Lincolnshire to meet up with
Nix Middleton-Stewart for their first sail together.
Race one - there was the predicted running order at the first mark
being DCB (Steve Sallis), Foolish (Mark Simpson), Foolish (John
Nixon), Crusader (Ian Smith) and vintage China Doll (Paul Turner).
Mark kept a beady eye on Steve in front on him for the whole race
("snapping" at his heels?), whilst Paul and local crew Cora had a
very pleasant sail watching a battle royal unfold in front of them
between John and Ian. Ian got just ahead of John on a couple of
occasions for John to fight back until a "technical problem" at the
last leeward mark meant that John couldn't cover Ian, who took a
long starboard tack out to the club side to beat John to the
line.
Race two after lunch saw the same order at the first mark, through
to the end of the race except that Ian retired with a broken tiller
allowing Paul a fourth place.
Race three saw a total change of order at the first mark; Mark got
there first with Steve, Ian and Paul in very close pursuit, John
having investigated the wrong of the line, following at some
distance behind. Normal service was resumed as the race unfolded
with Steve overtaking Mark and John catching Paul after a
lap.
Sincere thanks to race officers Grahame Newton and Mark Stevens
(who hope to see double the number of N12s next year!)
