National 12 85th Anniversary Event at Northampton Sailing Club
by George Finch 17 Sep 22:58 AEST 11-12 September 2021
On 12th March 1936, the National 12 Class was born and this weekend the National Twelve Owners’ Association celebrated the class’s rich and varied 85 year history. Just two weeks after 2021’s Burton Week, it was a big ask for the competitors to dedicate yet another weekend to National 12 sailing.
However, from Friday evening, competitors began to arrive at Northampton Sailing Club for a weekend of racing but also celebrating the National 12. A briefing at 11am, with first race scheduled for 12pm gave a lot of time for catching up, enjoying the excellent catering on offer at Northampton and for some, rigging their National 12 for the first time in a few years. It is amazing what people keep in their garages!
Saturday 11th – National 12 85th Event Fleet Racing
Race 1
The fleet of 30 National 12s launched on time, in 10kts of breeze and occasional sunshine. The countdown for the first race began promptly, although before the 1-minute gun it was looking likely there was going to be a general recall, which there promptly was. Up came the black flag at 4 minutes and the fleet got away.
Clear air on the start was required and for this beat, heading left seemed to pay off. A lot of boats approached the windward mark at the same time, trying to get clear air for the next reaching leg was hard. A gybe onto a tighter reach was very exciting, with a few stronger gusts really making N12s of all ages fly. Antony and Rory Gifford (N3529) showed excellent speed and were leading, followed by Ian and Alex Gore (N3525), with Jon Ibbotson and Rachel Smith in 3rd (N3540). The fleet spread out a bit with the reaching legs, but racing was close for all. Upwind on the 2nd lap Graham and Felix Camm (N3530) had a very rare near capsize, which was well recovered but allowed the top 3 N12s to get further ahead.
Mary Henderson (crewed by Jo Sallis) was borrowing a different N12 (N3527) for this event although showed great speed in this race, managing to beat current National Champions Tom & Isobel Stewart (N3544) but perhaps more importantly her parents – Will & Mandy Henderson. They were borrowing N3551 for the weekend, after a 20 year break from National 12 sailing. George & Lucy Finch, who own N3551 but for this event sailing their older N12, 3513 were also pleased to overtake Will & Mandy in N3551 on the last lap of this race, to finish 7th – and 1st non T-Foil N12.
Antony & Rory Gifford (N3529) kept their lead to the finish, followed by Ian & Alex Gore (N3525) and Jon Ibbotson & Rachel Smith (N3540) in 3rd.
1st Admirals Cup ‘Era’ Boat was James & Jo Gifford, in N3348 (Design 8)
1st Vintage boat was John & Cat Sears in N1903 (Mark 9).
Race 2
A big shift just before the start (under black flag) saw the majority of the fleet tack away onto port just after the gun. With more of the fleet now confident and on the line, clear air was difficult to find, but the usual suspects crept out in front. Tom & Isobel Stewart (N3544) were back in the groove and had fantastic boat speed during this race. With a bit more breeze in this race, there was strong competition all the way through the fleet which kept the racing interesting. By the finish, Tom & Isobel Stewart (N3544) crossed the line 1st, followed by Jon Ibbotson & Rachel Smith (N3540), Ian & Alex Gore (N3525) in 3rd, with John Meadowcroft & Anya Camm (N3543) in 4th.
An impressive performance again from James & Jo Gifford (N3348) saw them finish in 9th, being the 1st U21, 1st Admirals Cup and 1st Non T-Foil boat.
1st Vintage was John & Cat Sears (N1903).
Race 3
A few powerful gusts before the start of Race 3 saw some sailors take a quick dip in the lake before the start. Again, under a black flag, the fleet started their final race of the day. Iain Macintyre (crewed by Maria Franco) in N3519 were sailing well with great boat speed, only to be told at the windward mark they had been black flagged. It was Tom & Isobel Stewart (N3544) at the windward mark first, but close behind in 3rd was James & Jo Gifford (N3348), very impressive. Behind the top 5 boats there was a complete mix of designs which made the reaches and gybes interesting!
In this race, Paul & Izzy Keeling (N3285), at their first National 12 event, showed impressive speed for their Design 8 and the class looks forward to seeing them at future events.
By the 3rd lap, the fleet had spread out and Tom & Isobel Stewart in N3544 took the win. 2nd went to Jon Ibbotson & Rachel Smith (N3540), followed in 3rd by Antony & Rory Gifford (N3529).
Again, finishing in an impressive 8th was James & Jo Gifford in N3348 and with that, 1st U21 Helm, 1st Admirals Cup and 1st Non T-foil.
1st Vintage in Race 3 was Philip David, crewed by Emma Hampshire in N2545.
As the fleet headed to the shore, they were greeted by a fly past from The Red Arrows. It isn’t clear if this was arranged by the N12 Class or Northampton Sailing Club, but it was a nice touch. Boat owners had been instructed to bring their boats to the lawn outside the clubhouse for the 85th Anniversary Concours D’Elegance.
Full Results from Saturday’s Fleet Racing:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Boat Name | Design | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Stewart | Isobel Stewart | 3544 | Whitebait | Dead Cat Bounce | Royal Harwich YC | [5] | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Anthony Gifford | Rory Gifford | 3529 | Cat In The Hat | Dead Cat Bounce | Royal Tay YC | 1 | [3] | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | Jon Ibbotson | Rachel Smith | 3540 | Atomic Kitten | Dead Cat Bounce | Burghfield SC | [3] | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Ian Gore | Alex Gore | 3525 | Mog | Dead Cat Bounce | Up River YC | 2 | [5] | 4 | 6 |
| 5 | Graham Camm | Felix Camm | 3530 | Very Hungry Caterpillar | Dead Cat Bounce | Burghfield SC | 4 | [6] | 5 | 9 |
| 6 | John Meadowcroft | Anya Camm | 3543 | D.B. Cooper | Hijack | Upper Thames SC | [8] | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 7 | Mary Henderson | Jo Sallis | 3527 | Snagglepuss | Dead Cat Bounce | Brightlingsea SC | 6 | [7] | 7 | 13 |
| 8 | James Gifford | Jo Gifford | 3348 | Charlotte Anne | Design 8 | Royal Tay YC | [12] | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| 9 | Will Henderson | Mandy Henderson | 3551 | Over The Rainbow | Dead Cat Bounce | Salcombe YC | [9] | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 10 | George Finch | Lucy Finch | 3513 | Silver Lining | Feeling Foolish | Royal Harwich YC | 7 | [11] | 11 | 18 |
| 11 | Amicia Hopkins | David Moore | 3447 | Fruit & Nutty | Final Chapter | Swarkestone SC | 10 | [14] | 10 | 20 |
| 12 | Steve Carver | Tanya Copsey | 3538 | Glass and a Half Full | Feeling Foolish | UEA SC | 11 | 10 | [14] | 21 |
| 13 | Kevin Iles | Katy Meadowcroft | 3373 | Sixth Element | Baggy Trousers | West Oxfordshire SC | [25] | 13 | 12 | 25 |
| 14 | Paul Pelling | Ian Simkins | 3251 | Bianca | Crusader | Up River YCC | 14 | 12 | [15] | 26 |
| 15 | Tim Hampshire | Christopher Hampshire | 3502 | Carbonara | Big Issue 2 | Ripon SC | 13 | [15] | 13 | 26 |
| 16 | Neal Lillywhite | Freya Lillywhite | 3271 | Indecision | Design 8 | Burghfield SC | 15 | [17] | 17 | 32 |
| 17 | Paul Keeling | Izzy Keeling | 3285 | Magic Dragon | Design 8 | Blithfield SC | 17 | [18] | 16 | 33 |
| 18 | Robert Stewart | Charlotte Stewart | 3431 | Zippy | Feeling Foolish | Waldringfield SC | [20] | 19 | 18 | 37 |
| 19 | Christopher Troth | Eva Nygard | 2993 | Bouncer | Bouncer | Olton Mere SC | 18 | [22] | 19 | 37 |
| 20 | John Sears | Catherine Sears | 1903 | Slick Chick | Mark 9 | Notts County SC | 19 | 20 | [21] | 39 |
| 21 | Pete Miatt | Olivia Miatt | 2589 | Mary Deare | Whisper 4 | Carsington SC | 16 | [24] | 24 | 40 |
| 22 | Philip David | Emma Hampshire | 2545 | Little Meg | China Doll | Yorkshire Ouse SC | [30 RET] | 21 | 20 | 41 |
| 23 | Nigel Waller | Rosie Gore | 326 | Rose Marie | Uffa King | Royal Harwich YC | 21 | [25] | 23 | 44 |
| 24 | Iain Macintyre | Maria Franco | 3519 | Dead Cat Bounce | Dead Cat Bounce | Loch Tummel SC | [30 RET] | 16 | OCS | 45 |
| 25 | Stuart Walsh | Theo Covi?Walsh | 3546 | Shades of Grey | Dead Cat Bounce | Ardleigh SC | [23] | 23 | 22 | 45 |
| 26 | Sam Parrett | Bertie Parrett | 3198 | Inca | Baggy Trousers | St Edmundsbury SCA | 24 | [26] | 25 | 49 |
| 27 | Ian Norman | Louis Norman | 3107 | Zarniwoop | Tigress | Trent Valley SC | 22 | RET | [31 DSQ] | 52 |
| 28 | Alan Mason | Lesley Iles | 1607 | DillyDally | Mark 4a | Redesmere SC | 26 | 27 | [29 RET] | 54 |
| 29 | Richard Chapman | Tom Chapman | 3393 | Good From Far Far From Good | Final Chapter | Cransley SC | 28 | [29] | 26 | 54 |
| 30 | Graham Miatt | Jack Gore | 3448 | Steady Tiger | Feeling Foolish | Grafham Water SC | 27 | 28 | [29 RET] | 55 |
| 31 | Paul Bristow | Richard Willets | 2123 | Perplexity | Sparklet | Burghfield SC | [31 DNC] | DNC | DNC | 62 |
| 31 | Rod Andrew?Becker | Jo Andrew?Becker | 3109 | Gnasher | Pipedream | SNLH | [31 DNC] | DNC | DNC | 62 |
| 31 | Simon Hipkin | Emily Hipkin | 3322 | Soap Dish | Soap Dish | Walton and Frinton YC | [31 DNC] | DNC | DNC | 62 |
| 31 | Rory Hallas | Bradley Hallas | 3347 | Atreides | Crusader 88 | Broadwater SC | [31 DNC] | DNC | DNC | 62 |
1st ‘Admirals Cup Era’ Boat and 1st Under 21 – James & Jo Gifford, N3348, Design 8.
1st ‘Double Floor Non T-Foil Era’ Boat – George and Lucy Finch, N3513, Feeling Foolish.
1st Vintage Boat – John & Cat Sears, N1903, Mark 9.
1st First Dinghy Shack Series Event – Paul & Izzy Keeling, N3285, Design 8.
Saturday 11th – Concours D’Elegance
Will Henderson with 4 Burton Cup wins as Helm and Mandy Henderson, who was Will’s crew for two of them, were asked by the N12 Class to judge this event’s Concours D’Elegance. As the photos show, it was a great sight, with the afternoon sun shining the boats, which ranges from the whole 85 years of the class.
All the boats looked great, but Will and Mandy’s short list focused mainly on the wooden National 12s on display:
N1 ‘Gipsy’ was proudly rigged with sails up and a few original looking fittings, although a well-placed screwdriver was being used as a mast pin, so knocked it out of the short list (had the screwdriver been from 1936, this might have been different!).
N3546 ‘Shades of Grey’ was in contention, a wooden, single floored, ‘4 plank’ Dead Cat Bounce. Built by Simon Hipkin in 2016, this N12 is at the newer end of the class but has a very classic feel. Having recently returned from Burton Week, it was not quite in Concours condition but is an excellent example of a knee friendly, fully competitive modern National 12!
N3271 ‘Indecision’ was as always in stunning condition and is a unique National 12, the only wooden Design 8.
N3521 ‘Bianca’ – Lovingly cared for since new by Paul Pelling and never restored, with little use in recent years, this Crusader built by Alan Jackson was in strong contention for the Concours prize. She looked stunning in the afternoon sun and was well placed with classic Ullman Sails rigged.
N3107 ‘Zarniwoop’ – Owned since new by Ian Norman and well cared for, with occasional work undertaken by P&B and now sporting a shiny carbon rig, this Tigress from 1980 was declared the winner of the 85th Anniversary Concours D’Elegance. The varnished decks looked fantastic, and the subtle rigging upgrades made the boat really encompass what this weekend was about. Ian Norman, as owner of N3107 was presented with a bottle of Champagne for winning.
Saturday 11th – N12 Auction & 85th Birthday Cake
Several items had kindly been donated to the class to auction, and bids were placed either in advance via email or on the day in person. Any items which did not receive bids were then auctioned off ‘live’. With lots ranging from books to sails, masts to complete National 12s, nearly everything found a new owner with proceeds heading to the class. Thanks again to all those who donated items, and to those who bided!
To add to the 7 Burton Cup winners seen sailing or walking about the dinghy park at Northampton, the class had invited Michael Jackson to cut the 85th Birthday Cake.
Mike’s involvement in the class began before 1950s and his first design was the ‘Lucia’ in 1957 – N1516. From 1957, Mike built on his experiences and designed the March Hare (1962), Impact (1970), Cheshire Cat (1973), Tiger (1978), Tigress (1980), Gryphon (1983) and Final Chapter (1987). Outside of the N12 Class, Mike also designed the Lark, 404 and a few Merlin Rockets.
N.T.O.A. Chair invited Mike to give a short speech before cutting the cake, where Mike described his thought process behind the Lucia and March Hare designs, which ultimately moved the class on from the ‘Uffa King’ style N12s.
After the cake was cut, the class enjoyed an evening at the bar, reminiscing about the past 85 years!
Sunday 12th – Mary Deare 85th Grand Pursuit Race
The forecast for Sunday had always looked a bit wobbly, with 8kts at the optimistic end and 1kts at the pessimistic end. With this in mind, Graham Camm and a few helpers set the timings for Sunday’s pursuit race. 1st to start would be Nigel Waller, crewed by Rosie Gore in N326 – an Uffa King from 1938. Nigel had won the 70th Pursuit in Punkarella (N3012) and the 75th Pursuit in Rose Marie (N326) – could he go for 3 wins from 3? A likely contender to challenge this was John and Cat Sears (N1903) who would start 4 minutes later than Nigel and Rosie.
On the day, the wind was very light, and the race team postponed for 30 minutes. Nevertheless, with occasional zephyrs and some breeze across Pitsford Reservoir, the first boats launched. The arrival of Simon & Emily Hipkin with N3322 ‘Soapdish’ had raised a few eyebrows – an iconic N12 as it was the first ‘almost self-draining’ N12 but is well known for not going very fast – especially in light winds!
The race was to be 100 minutes long for the first boat, with the Dead Cat Bounces & Hijack starting 20 minutes after the Uffa King (21 minutes for Graham Camm and Tom Stewart). At times it looked like most of the Admirals Cup / Modern / T-Foil boats wouldn’t make the start, but some well-timed zephyrs aided everyone to the start. It was a struggle and at times very painful, but slowly the 30 or so National 12s drifted up the first beat, onto the first reach. Nigel Waller and Rosie Gore (N326) kept their lead and rounded Mark 3 (the gybe mark). John & Cat Sears (N1903) were next, although had a lot of ground still to cover to catch the leading boat.
A few “strong” gusts (max 6 knots) bunched a lot of the fleet at the gybe mark, although only 4 of the Dead Cat Bounces made it round before the wind dropped again. Jon Ibbotson & Rachel Smith (N3540) and Graham & Felix Camm (N3530) took a few places here.
Some darker clouds on the horizon looked to bring rain, but hopefully some wind. They brought neither, perhaps cancelling the wind all together. It was a complete drifter at this point, with one or two place changes. The two leading boats were now getting closer and 85 minutes in, John & Cat Sears (N1903) used a well-timed mark rounding to take the lead. Could they hold it for 15 minutes?
The finish gun went, and all the fleet were relieved. It had been a struggle, but John & Cat Sears (N1903) prevailed and won the 85th Mary Deare Pursuit Race. N1903 will now join those boats of notable achievement which receive a red rosette against their name on the N12 Online boat database!
Overall Results from the Mary Deare 85th Grand Pursuit Race:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Boat Name | Design | Club | R1 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Sears | Catherine Sears | 1903 | Slick Chick | Mark 9 | Notts County SC | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Nigel Waller | Rosie Gore | 326 | Rose Marie | Uffa King | Royal Harwich YC | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Antony Gifford | Rory Gifford | 3348 | Charlotte Anne | Design 8 | Royal Tay YC | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Christopher Troth | Eva Nygard | 2993 | Bouncer | Bouncer | Olton Mere SC | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Ian Norman | Louis Norman | 3107 | Zarniwoop | Tigress | Trent Valley SC | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Philip David | Emma Hampshire | 2545 | Little Meg | China Doll | Yorkshire Ouse SC | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Jon Ibbotson | Rachel Smith | 3540 | Atomic Kitten | Dead Cat Bounce | Burghfield SC | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Pete Miatt | Olivia Miatt | 2589 | Mary Deare | Whisper 4 | Carsington SC | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | Kevin Iles | Katy Meadowcroft | 3373 | Sixth Element | Baggy Trousers | West Oxfordshire SC | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | Graham Camm | Felix Camm | 3530 | Very Hungry Caterpillar | Dead Cat Bounce | Burghfield SC | 10 | 10 |
| 11 | George Finch | Lucy Finch | 3513 | Silver Lining | Feeling Foolish | Royal Harwich YC | 11 | 11 |
| 12 | Amicia Hopkins | David Moore | 3447 | Fruit & Nutty | Final Chapter | Swarkestone SC | 12 | 12 |
| 13 | Ian Gore | Alex Gore | 3525 | Mog | Dead Cat Bounce | Up River YC | 13 | 13 |
| 14 | Tom Stewart | Isobel Stewart | 3544 | Whitebait | Dead Cat Bounce | Royal Harwich YC | 14 | 14 |
| 15 | Tim Hampshire | Christopher Hampshire | 3502 | Carbonara | Big Issue 2 | Ripon SC | 15 | 15 |
| 16 | Mary Henderson | Jo Sallis | 3527 | Snagglepuss | Dead Cat Bounce | Brightlingsea SC | 16 | 16 |
| 17 | Sam Parrett | Bertie Parrett | 3198 | Inca | Baggy Trousers | St Edmundsbury SCA | 17 | 17 |
| 18 | James Gifford | Jo Gifford | 3529 | Cat In The Hat | Dead Cat Bounce | Royal Tay YC | 18 | 18 |
| 19 | Robert Stewart | Charlotte Stewart | 3431 | Zippy | Feeling Foolish | Waldringfield SC | 19 | 19 |
| 20 | Stewart Miatt | Jack Gore | 3448 | Steady Tiger | Feeling Foolish | Grafham Water SC | 20 | 20 |
| 21 | Steve Carver | Tanya Copsey | 3538 | Glass and a Half Full | Feeling Foolish | UEA SC | 21 | 21 |
| 22 | Stuart Walsh | Theo Covi?Walsh | 3546 | Shades of Grey | Dead Cat Bounce | Ardleigh SC | 22 | 22 |
| 23 | Iain Macintyre | Maria Franco | 3519 | Dead Cat Bounce | Dead Cat Bounce | Loch Tummel SC | 23 | 23 |
| 24 | Richard Chapman | Tom Chapman | 3393 | Good From Far Far From Good | Final Chapter | Cransley SC | 24 | 24 |
| 25 | Simon Hipkin | Emily Hipkin | 3322 | Soap Dish | Soap Dish | Walton & Frinton YC | 25 | 25 |
| 26 | John Meadowcroft | Anya Camm | 3543 | D.B. Cooper | Hijack | Upper Thames SC | RET | 26 |
| 26 | Will Henderson | Mandy Henderson | 3551 | Over The Rainbow | Dead Cat Bounce | Salcombe Yacht Club | RET | 26 |
| 26 | Neal Lillywhite | Freya Lillywhite | 3271 | Indecision | Design 8 | Burghfield SC | RET | 26 |
| 27 | Paul Pelling | Ian Simkins | 3251 | Bianca | Crusader | Up River YC | DNC | 27 |
| 27 | Paul Keeling | Izzy Keeling | 3285 | Magic Dragon | Design 8 | Blithfield SC | DNC | 27 |
| 27 | Alan Mason | Lesley Iles | 1607 | DillyDally | Mark 4a | Redesmere SC | DNC | 27 |
| 27 | Paul Bristow | Richard Willets | 2123 | Perplexity | Sparklet | Burghfield SC | DNC | 27 |
| 27 | Rod Andrew?Becker | Jo Andrew?Becker | 3109 | Gnasher | Pipedream | SNLH | DNC | 27 |
| 27 | Rory Hallas | Bradley Hallas | 3347 | Atreides | Crusader 88 | Broadwater SC | DNC | 27 |
1st – John & Cat Sears, N1903, Mark 9 (This boat was John’s first National 12, he bought her in 1968 and then re-bought and restored her in 2014).
2nd – Nigel Waller and Rosie Gore, N326, Uffa King.
3rd and 1st ‘Admirals Cup ‘Era’ – Antony and Rory Gifford, N3348, Design 8.
4th – Chris Troth and Eva Nygard, N2993, Bouncer.
1st ‘T-Foil Era’ boat – Jon Ibbotson and Rachel Smith, N3540, Dead Cat Bounce. 7th Overall.
1st ‘Double Floor, non-T-Foil Era’ boat – George and Lucy Finch, N3513, Feeling Foolish. 11th Overall.
1st U21 – James and Jo Gifford, N3529. Dead Cat Bounce. 18th Overall.
There had been plans for a junior race in the early afternoon, but with the lack of wind it was decided to cancel this in favour of packing up boats, enjoying lunch in the clubhouse and getting the prize-giving under way. In usual N12 fashion it was conducted flawlessly by the ever-vehement Michael Brookman.
Within the event, the class hosted the two Vintage Championships events, full results:
Vintage Championships (Saturday) for “The Gill Half Model Trophy”:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Boat Name | Design | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Sears | Catherine Sears | 1903 | Slick Chick | Mark 9 | Notts County SC | 1 | 1 | [2] | 2 |
| 2 | Philip David | Emma Hampshire | 2545 | Little Meg | China Doll | Yorkshire Ouse SC | [4 RET] | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Nigel Waller | Rosie Gore | 326 | Rose Marie | Uffa King | Royal Harwich YC | 2 | [3] | 3 | 5 |
| 4 | Alan Mason | Lesley Iles | 1607 | DillyDally | Mark 4a | Redesmere SC | 2 | 4 | [4 RET] | 6 |
| 5 | Paul Bristow | Richard Willets | 2123 | Perplexity | Sparklet | Burghfield SC | [5 DNC] | DNC | DNC | 10 |
Derwent Handicap Vintage Pursuit Race (Sunday) for “The J&T Hancock Trophy”:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Boat Name | Design | Club | R1 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Sears | Catherine Sears | 1903 | Slick Chick | Mark 9 | Notts County SC | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Nigel Waller | Rosie Gore | 326 | Rose Marie | Uffa King | Royal Harwich YC | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Philip David | Emma Hampshire | 2545 | Little Meg | China Doll | Yorkshire Ouse SC | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Alan Mason | Lesley Iles | 1607 | DillyDally | Mark 4a | Redesmere SC | DNC | 5 |
| 4 | Paul Bristow | Richard Willets | 2123 | Perplexity | Sparklet | Burghfield SC | DNC | 5 |
All competitors came away from the weekend smiling. It didn’t matter if it was your first N12 event, your first time crewing a N12 or if you were a seasoned N12 sailor. It was certainly worth the effort that both Northampton Sailing Club and the National Twelve Owners’ Association put in to make it happen, despite the backdrop of Covid-19. A true celebration of the National 12 class.
If you missed out on the merchandise, the 85th Anniversary clothing is still available to order online – http://www.waveclothing.co.uk/association-kit/national-12-owners-association/85th-anniversary-clothing.
Photos from the event are available:
The N12 class continues to remain popular, with several National 12s changing hands last week. There are always possibilities to borrow boats, upgrade current boats and the class continues to have options for new boats to be built.
The class will now head to Yorkshire Ouse (19th September), Henley SC (26th September) and Twickenham (10th October) for some river sailing with the next Dinghy Shack Series at Ripon Sailing Club on 2nd October and the Dinghy Shack Finale and Inland Championships at Northampton Sailing Club on 6th & 7th November.
