The Northern National 12 fleet started their ‘autumn term’ with a one-day meeting at Derwent Reservoir SC on Sunday. Conditions were perfect, with blue skies and a good Force 3-4 throughout the day.

In the first race Howard Steavenson/Rachael Matthews took an early lead followed by Mark and Emma Simpson and Bernard Clark/Philip Benn. This pack was hotly pursued by John and Alison Cheetham. On the second last lap Clark and Benn pulled through to the lead, and held this to the end. Steavenson and Matthews took 2nd with the Simpsons third.

After lunch two further races were sailed back to back. Again Howard and Kate took an early lead followed by Clark/Benn, the Simpsons and the Cheethams. Howard/Kate lost the lead when a very neat rounding of the windward mark became too close and they had to do turns. Clark/Benn snatched the lead and held it to the end. The Simpsons were once again 3rd.

Race 3 saw Clark/Benn leading from start to finish, although Howard/Kate pushed them hard to the first mark, until realization dawned that a starboard rounding was required which meant them having to bear away. The Simpsons were a consistent third.

Clark and Benn took first place overall, with John and Alison Cheetham the first Admiral’s Cup boat.

Overall Results

1st Bernard Clark/Philip Benn, Yorkshire Ouse SC/Ripon SC, N3447 Final Chapter
2nd Howard Steavenson/Rachael Matthews, Tynemouth SC N3479, Big Issue
3rd Mark and Emma Simpson, Scaling Dam SC, N3472, Big Issue
4th John and Alison Cheetham, Yeadon SC, N3209, Crusader