A fleet of 19 National 12s travelled to Ripon for the seventh race in the Old Spice Northern circuit.

The fleet ranged from the latest double-bottomed creations to four immaculately restored vintage boats and all competitors enjoyed good racing, fine weather and plenty of wind to test out their skills to the full.

The first race saw Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantynin 3469 take an early lead from second placed Philip and Helen David in 3217 and Steve Sallis and Jonathan Fowler sailing 3436. Sallis managed to overhaul David and the top three finished in this order. The course included plenty of gybes and plenty of wind causing some exciting times for all and several capsizes with much place changing throughout the fleet.

In race two Sallis and Fowler (3436) made an excellent start to lead the fleet for the first round but the tricky winds of Ripon resulted in a capsize and a drop to eighth place while Camm and Ballantynin (3469) made no mistakes to clock up another first effectively winning the event with one race in hand. The Davids (3217) were again on the pace and finished second with John and Alison Cheetham (3209) in third place. Sallis recovered well from the earlier swim and picked up to fifth.

The wind dropped for the final race of the day almost disappearing completely at times and Sallis and Fowler made no mistakes this time in finishing in first place with John and Alison Cheetham in second place and Mark Simpson and Allan Jenson (3244) sailing well to finish third.

Overall Results

1st 3469, Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne

2nd 3436, Steve Sallis and Jonathan Fowler

3rd 3209, John and Alison Cheetham

4th 3217, Phillip and Helen David

5th 3244, Mark Simpson and Allan Jenson

6th 2531, Vincent Phillips and Emma Simson

Vintage Winner

N2531, Vincent Phillips and Emma Simpson