National Twelve Open at Yeadon Sailing Club

The fleet during the first beat of race 1 during the Yeadon National 12 Open © Howard Chadwick

Following on from the successful Gul open meeting at Ripon a smaller fleet assembled at Yeadon on the Sunday to resume battle.

Staunch supporter Angus Beyts had camped overnight at Ripon but with crew issues and a fixed rudder decided not to compete and start his long journey back to Scotland a little earlier.

After a briefing by race officers Tony Langley and Sarah Cooke the fleet took to the water in a freshening South Westerly breeze. Philip David and Emma Hampshire in 3499 were quick off the line leading John and Allison Cheetham in 3209 then Tim and Christopher Hampshire in 3330 up the first beat. John and Allison fought through into first place only lose it again to Philip. Further back Brian and Ros in the only vintage contender filled up on one of the gybe marks and decided to retire. The excitement of being back in the lead must have been too much for Philip as he fell in also after a rocky gybe leaving John to take the win but recovering to finish second.

John and Allison Cheetham (N3209) finish 2nd in the Yeadon National 12 Open - photo © Howard Chadwick

After a splendid Yeadon Lunch the fleet again took to the water although Brian and Ros decided the wind was a bit frisky for them so headed in to try the ice cream vans offerings. Tim Hampshire was first off the line although after the first lap Philip had regained the lead and on lap 3 John also sneaked past into 2nd place. Further back Neil McInnes and Jon Wheble were sailing in a very consistent 4th place in N3216 followed by Patrick Gaunt and Tony Dufton in Tony's recently acquired Design 8 N3283. After some hard racing it was Philip and Emma who took the win closely followed by John and Allison.

Race three was set to be the decider between Philip and John but it was Tim and Christopher who pulled into the lead after the second lap, Philip and Tim swapped the lead numerous times with John snapping at their transoms but in the end Philip and Emma prevailed to take the race and the event win.

Philip David and Emma Hampshire (N3499) win the Yeadon National 12 Open - photo © Howard Chadwick

Overall Results: