National Twelve Vintage Championship at Notts County Sailing Club

Four vintage Twelves arrived at Notts County on Saturday morning to be greeted by a warm and gusty breeze. The championship was run in conjunction with the club's regatta with a separate start for the 12's.

Paul Turner unfortunately contracted Covid the week before so lent China Doll to Graham and Felix Camm plus his crew, Kay Ash, to Tim Gatti on Saturday. Tim brought his newly restored Starfish Saskia. John Sears and Andrea Murphy sailed Slick Chick, a Proctor Mk9. Alan Mason and Jonathan Bradley were in Dilly Dally, a Proctor Mk4a.

National Twelve Vintage Championship 2025 at Notts County Sailing Club - photo © David Eberlin

Graham and Felix put on a masterly show in the fresh breeze on Saturday. They led both races comfortably after the first beat, confidently gybing while the rest tacked round for safety. Conditions were on the limit for the older boats & sailors. Tim retired after capsizing in the first race and Alan found his shroud anchorage was failing so retired from the second.

Sunday morning brought heavy rain which dampened the breeze for the first race. Graham & Felix took the lead but were closely followed by John & Andrea. On the second lap Graham's mainsheet detached from the boom and John sailed past before they could get under way once more. For the rest of the lap Graham hunted John down and the boats were almost level on the final run. John just denied Graham the overlap and stayed in front for the last two short legs to the finish. Tim retired due to exhaustion from Saturday's racing but Alan was much closer to the leaders after overnight re-tuning.

National Twelve Vintage Championship 2025 at Notts County Sailing Club - photo © David Eberlin

The start of the last race was postponed while the wind faltered and then went round 70 degrees clockwise. A rapid change of course ensued and the Twelves set off with Graham in the lead again. The wind built up steadily so by the final lap it was as strong as Saturday. The China Doll got planning nicely while the Proctor boats displayed some fine bow waves. Graham and Felix comfortably won the championship with 3 wins, discarding a second. John & Andrea were 2nd and Alan & Jonathen were 3rd.

The Derwent personal handicap was calculated from the finish times in the same 4 races, allowing one discard. Graham won this with Alan second. Tim Gatti took home the Concours d'elegance prize.

Overall Results:

National Twelve Vintage Championship 2025 at Notts County Sailing Club - photo © David Eberlin