Chipstead N12 open was held on 26 June 2004 and four visitors joined six home boats for the open this year. The weather forecast was for light winds and rain in the morning and strong wind accompanied by heavy rain in the afternoon. Thankfully the heavy rain didn’t come, but unfortunately neither did the wind

The first race was postponed for 15 minutes in the hope the wind would fill in or at least settle down to one direction. As the race started the wind did finally settle down to a southerly. The first race started with a short beat. Ian and Alex Gore took an early lead, closely followed by Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall with Bob and Maggie Murrell in third place. Further back in the fleet, the places were constantly changing. On the last lap Bob Murrell managed to get past Geoff Camm into second place, only for Geoff to snatch back second just before the line.

The second race was sailed over the same course. Again Ian and Alex Gore went into the lead with Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall in second and Bob and Maggie Murrell in third. Racing throughout the fleet was close with places constantly changing. In the end it was Ian and Alex that secured first place with Geoff and Amelia in second followed by Bob and Maggie in third.

For the third race Ian and Alex decided that with two first places they did not have to subject themselves to the excitement of the third race. Geoff and Bob got away on the first beat to battle out for first and second place. Further down the fleet the first two laps were closely fought with most getting a chance to take third on the third lap. Chris and Caroline managed to break free from the rest of the fleet and sail into third place but with no way of catching the leaders. Geoff and Amelia finished in first place with Bob and Maggie in second place and Chris and Caroline in third.

Final positions

1st Ian and Alex Gore, N3441, Upriver YC

2nd Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall, N3488, RYA

3rd Bob and Maggie Murrell, N3435, Chipstead SC

4th Chris Clarke and Caroline Alexander, N3452, Chipstead SC

5th Richard and Emma Ball, N3280, TTSC

6th John and Jenny Murrell, N3339, Saltash SC