N12s in 2024 - Time for the Mid-Fleet to Shine
by George Finch 1 Apr 19:30 NZDT
National 12 Burton Week at Shoreham © Warwick Baker /
www.warwickpics.com
The mid-fleet of any dinghy class are crucial in creating a 'critical mass' to bolster numbers at open meetings. It is with this in mind that today the National 12 class are announcing a new change to the famous 'Sir William Burton Cup' Race, that will give the mid-fleet and others more of a chance of winning.
The rule change is quite simple and will also help the expected winners keep down their engraving costs, which have sky-rocketed in recent years.
If as a helm, you have already won the Burton Cup, then you will now start later than the rest of the fleet - depending on how many times you have won. If you've won the Burton Cup once, then you will start 1 minute later. If you have won it 5 times, then you will start 5 minutes later. However, if you, like Tom Stewart, have won the Burton Cup over 10 times, then you will start 10 minutes later, and an additional 1.5 minutes will be added per each win above your 10th.
A full list of helms & start times will be published in the Sailing Instructions ahead of Burton Week 2024, but the below example is provided for guidance:
| Helm | Start Time |
|---|
| Non‑Burton Cup Winner | 5 minutes after 5min Warning Signal |
| John Meadowcroft | 7 minutes after 5min Warning Signal |
| Paul Pelling | 7 minutes after 5min Warning Signal |
| Graham Camm | 12 minutes after 5min Warning Signal |
| Tom Stewart | 19 minutes, 30 sec after 5min Warning Signal |
During the next few months, the N12 class will take an in-depth review on the issue of applying the same rules to crews who have won the Burton Cup - but it is not anticipated this rule for crews will be in force for 2024's Burton Week at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club.
If anyone has further questions on this new rule, please email before 12:00 on 1st April 2024.