National 12 Open at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club

Keeping it close on the beat during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open © Neil McInnes

The cloud was down as I drove over the tops to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club for the National 12 Open but as we have found before the reservoir sits in a bit of a hollow so visibility was actually better at 'sea level' and the wind was reasonable in strength but with it blowing over the dam wall that would make the windward mark interesting!

Numbers were down this year for various reasons including the author/photographer still recovering from a poorly shoulder.

First race, approaching the gate during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open - photo © Neil McInnes

In Race 1 Philip David with new crew Simeon Shackleton learning fast led the pack up the first beat. At the windward mark they decided to head towards the middle mark rather than the first wing place leaving Tim and Chris Hampshire and John Cheetham and Ian Escritt to sail straight to the wing mark. This leg was in the shadow of the dam making the wind variable and shifty, so despite Philip and Simeon sailing in the wrong direction for part of the leg once they realised which was the correct mark, they were in a more constant wind and they managed to regain the lead just before the mark. Tim and Chris kept pushing them throughout the race but couldn't close the gap with John and Ian a little further back.

The battle for the lead on the following races was closer after Tim & Chris adjusted the rig on their Big Issue 2. The different characteristics between the Big Issue 2 and Philip's Feeling Foolish made for some very tactical racing as the wind speeds fluctuated. This was apparent straight away in the second race with the fleet staying a lot tighter than the first race. Philip and Simeon led for the first lap but on the approach to the windward mark for the second time Philip and Simeon split tacks with Tim and Chris. As they closed on the mark Tim and Chris had the lay line approach on starboard and Philip and Simeon were coming in on port but didn't spot the other boat until late and had to tack in a hurry allowing Tim and Chris to take the lead. They held the lead to the finish with some extensive defending of their wind on the approach to the final leeward mark and then tight covering on Philip and Simeon for the short beat to the finish.

Race 3, approaching the first wing mark during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open - photo © Neil McInnes

There were various aches and pains discussed over lunch and the technicalities of what a 'proper course' was! Always interesting whilst enjoying lunch!

After warming up and drying out over lunch the fleet regathered and went out for the afternoon races.

First beat, race 3 during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open - photo © Neil McInnes

Race 3 was tight throughout with all 3 boats close together in a tactical battle, Tim and Chris holding a lead to begin with the other two were close behind. Philip and Simeon took the lead on the second windward leg only for Tim and Chris to retake the lead on the third lap and hold it to the finish

In the end it all came down to the last race, Tim and Chris jumped the start and had to head back to restart, giving Philip and Simeon a comfortable lead for the first lap. By the second lap the gap was closing but they were still ahead and had their fingers crossed that the Race Officer - YDSC youth member Will Bailey - wanted to get in out of the drizzle and call it short at 2 laps. Luckily for Tim and Chris they had a third lap to finally overhaul Philip and Simeon, arriving ahead at the final leeward mark with only a meter between the boats and held it to the finish. The stronger winds took their toll on John and Ian's challenge with John eventually having a lie down in the back of his boat during the last race!

Gybing at the second wing mark during the Yorkshire Dales National 12 Open - photo © Neil McInnes

This left a simple final points situation for the OD team to work out with Tim and Chris winning the meeting with Philip and Simeon second and John and Ian third.

In his winner's speech Tim thanked Yorkshire Dales SC, the Race Officer Will and his team, the safety boat teams and Pam and Rachel in the Galley and everyone who were involved in looking after us during the day.

Whilst we were low in numbers the fleet was highly competitive, with four good races and a great day's sailing was had by all.

The next Northern National 12 events are the Open Meetings at Ripon and Yeadon Sailing Clubs on the weekend of 5th/6th October, hope to see you there.

Overall Results: