National 12 sailors enjoyed bright autumn sunshine and a Force 1-2 breeze at the Middle Nene SC annual Guy Fawkes open meeting held on 3-4 November.

In the team racing on the Saturday the Camm brothers (Graham Camm crewed by Ellie Martin Geoff Camm sailing with Amelia Hall) showed they had not lost any of their team racing abilities and managed to win all seven of their races. Second places was narrowly taken by the Giffords (Antony Gifford with Jo Brown and Frances Gifford with Jess Brown) with six wins from Tom Stewart with Charlotte Ibbotson and Jon Brown with Lesley Isles who took five wins. Second and third places finally being decided on the last race of the day that went right to the line.

In spite of gloom from the weather forecast, Sunday again brought bright warm sunshine and a breeze that improved to a Force 3 to give superb racing for the last major open meeting of the season.

Twenty-nine boats entered the event, including five from the home club. The first two races were sailed back-to back, before lunch and were won by John and Katy Meadowcroft (N3429), to give them the overall Guy Fawkes Trophy with a race to spare. The lower places were still open going into the last race with Tom Stewart and Liz Ross ( N3465) having two thirds while second places went to Antony Gifford /Jo Brown (N3447) and Geoff Camm/Amelia Hall (N3464).

The Meadowcrofts stayed ashore after lunch, and a slightly reduced fleet was tempted out by the continuing wonderful sailing weather for the final race. Tom Stewart and Liz Ross were clear winners, to clinch second place overall. Ian Gore with Alex Harris (N3441) finished that race second, but with their next best result being a ninth place they could not break into the top three. Antony Gifford and Jo Brown with third confirmed their third place overall and leaving Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall, having sailed consistently all weekend fourth overall. Fifth place overall went to Derek Davies, who had flown over from France especially for the event, crewed by Emily Abbott in a borrowed boat.

Racing was equally keen at the back of the fleet, and the vintage boats prize went to Laurie and Pat Jones in N2701 (MNSC) after some close racing with Brian Herring and Ros Stevenson in their beautifully maintained N1673.

Overall Results

Team Racing

1 Graham Camm and Ellie Martin, Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall 7 wins

2 Antony Gifford and Jo Brown, Frances Gifford and Jess Brown (6 wins)

3 Tom Stewart and Charlotte Ibbotson, Jon Brown and Lesley Isles (5 wins)

Guy Fawkes Trophy

1 N3429, John and Katy Meadowcroft (Henley SC)

2 N3465, Tom Stewart and Liz Ross (Royal Harwich YC)

3 N3447, Antony Gifford and Jo Brown (Aldeburgh YC)

4 N3464, Geoff Camm and Amelia Hall (Pevensey Bay SC)

5 N3442, Derek Davies and Emily Abbott

Vintage N2701, Laurie Jones and Pat Jones (Middle Nene SC)