Victory for Sallis and James

An update from the National 12 Nationals in Weymouth

Strong winds blew over Tuesday night and the fleet awoke to a sunny force 5... but with further imminent gale warnings the Race Officer decided to try and get the race in early and hold it in Portland Harbour.

Steve Adshead & Henry Johnson were pathfinder and opened the gate in an increasing wind. The late starters picked up a lift on the right and Steve Sallis & Jenny James pressed the turbo button and flew into the lead in their Feeling Foolish closely followed by Terry & Angela Cooke in their Big Issue.

The first reach was very fast and the most critical decision on the reach was whether to gybe or not, and even the leaders had to ask themselves whether they wanted to. There was some Big Issue battling at the wing mark between Mark Simpson, Mike Cooke and the senior Cooke team. Senior Cookes won and their incredible upwind speed meant they easily held their second place to the finish.

Leading the following pack were the Meadowcrofts followed by series leaders Tom Stewart & Liz Ross who finished third and fourth respectively.

There were two races posted for today but the first indications of the forecast front were visible and the Race

Officer postponed the second race until Thursday. Two races are therefore now planned for Thursday.

The final positions were:

1 Steve Sallis & Jenny James
2 Terry Cooke & Angela Cooke
3 John & Katy Meadowcroft
4 Tom Stewart & Liz Ross