A total of 33 boats turned up for the fourth event in the National 12 Gill series at Starcross SC on 24-25 July. Two races were sailed each day at the top of the tide in a sunny and gusty Force 3-4.

Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley in Zippy took an early lead in race one and managed to maintain their lead despite multiple challenges from the following pack, with Ian and Alex Gore finishing second.

In race two, Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne in Babel Fish avoided the pile up at the windward end to take the lead. The shifty conditions meant the pressure was always on including from Mark and Helen Phillips heading up the Admiral’s Cup fleet, but Babel Fish held the lead to the finish.

The wind strengthened on the Sunday for race three but it was equally sunny. Zippy led initially but the Gores slowly ate away at their lead and finally got past on lap four to claim their first win of the weekend as the wind went very fluky.

The wind headed dramatically on the start of race four and shortly after the start it died leaving the fleet in a state of confusion. The boats on the left-hand side of the beat were first to pick up the new wind helping Jon and Rachel in Tonto get to the windward mark first. The wind filled in from behind on the reach driving Kevin Iles and Jane Wade in Electric Prune into second. Tonto sailed a good defensive race and retained the lead.

Overall Results

1st Ian and Alex Gore

2nd Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne

3rd Frances Gifford and Sophie Mackley

1st Admiral’s Cup

Mark and Helen Phillips