Survival conditions

The National 12 Open Meeting at Bristol Corinthian YC saw extremely high winds

The first event in the N12 Gill Series 2006 was held at Bristol Corinthian Y.C. on 1-2 April .

Tom Stewart and Liz Ross tacked early off the line and led to the finish. Spiky Uncle Jonno crewed by Katy Meadowcroft, rounded the last mark in second but failed to cross the finish, giving Graham Camm and Zoë Ballantyne an early wedding present.

Race two started with Tom and Liz first again, but they capsized on the gybe. A 30 knot squall came through and the gybe was carnage. Alex and Ian Gore led to the end with Kevin and Lindsey Iles finishing second.

On Sunday, Tom and Liz led from the start again only to tip it in again on lap two. Local Chris Bishop and Mega Rachel pulled away only to swim twenty yards from the finish. Graham and Zoë took full advantage and took the gun.

After lunch, Ian and Alex Gore led at the top mark but Tom and Liz wound them in, only to swim again. The Gores took the gun with Graham and Zoë second.

In race five it was truly howling and it was a matter of how to get downwind rather than racing. The Gores put in a mighty pitch pole. The Bishop’s mast exploded. Tom and Liz swam twice, but scraped across the line ahead of Fran and Sophie who were the only ones to get around the course dry.

Results:

1-Tom Stewart and Liz Ross N3501 (Feeling Foolish)
2-Graham Camm and Zoë Ballantyne N3492 (Numinous)
3-Ian and Alex Gore N3441 (Feeling Foolish)
4-Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley N3431 (Feeling Foolish)