The 2002 National 12 Naburn Paddle event, hosted by Yorkshire Ouse SC over the Jubilee weekend, saw a wonderful combination of perfect weather conditions and a fleet of 18 boats.

The Jubilee Trophy was raced for on Saturday afternoon and, despite the large fleet and the inevitable motor cruisers in the vicinity of the starting area, only one boat was over the line. Vince Phillips and Stuart Miatt quickly pulled clear of the fleet to make their way up river in relatively clear air, but a calm patch on the first bend of the river soon saw the rest of the fleet bunching up behind them.

Traditionally the longest race of the meeting, there was plenty of opportunity for places to change and Philip and Helen David (who had been over the line at the start) made their way through the fleet to claim first place and the Trophy. Peter Miatt, sailing his father’s Crusader, claimed second place, with Vince Phillips (Whisper 7) in third place and Bernard Clark (Cheshire Cat) took fourth place.

Sunday morning dawned warm and sunny and after breakfast on the lawn the fleet made their way up river to make the most of the wider river at the first bend. Once again it paid to get away in the clear air and Philip and Helen were soon clear of the fleet, claiming the race with the Vince and Fiona claiming second place.

Race three made use of a skewed club line, with the 20 per cent penalty rule in place, and Bernard Clark and James Shipley were first off the line. They built up an unassailable lead by the end of the first lap and continued to hold off the rest of the fleet to take the race, nearly four minutes ahead of Philip David in second place with Brian Herring and Ros Stephenson in third.

Race four used the same start as the previous race, and the race officer decided that the wind was sufficient to send the fleet through the narrows and downstream to the Ship mark. Clark and David battled for the lead with the Davids’ getting through at the Ship mark after Clark and Shipley had problems with the jib pole. Sue Jones finished in third place.

The club marked the Jubilee weekend by presenting commemorative mugs to all the competitors who were under 18.

Overall Results

1st Philip and Helen David, YOSC, China Doll design

2nd Bernard Clark and James Shipley, YOSC, Cheshire Cat design

3rd Vince and Fiona Phillips, YOSC, Whisper 7 design

4th Peter Miatt and Brian Johnson/Ruth Holt, Tynemouth & YOSC, Crusader design

5th Brian Herring and Ros Stephenson, Winsford Flash SC, Proctor Mk 4A design

Jubilee mugs were presented to James Shipley, Jamie Kerslake, Alistair McInnes and Henry Mark